Valley Students’ Artwork Debuts on SunLine Bus in Annual Art Contest

Three Valley students are now seeing their artwork on full display across the Coachella Valley, wrapped along the side of a SunLine Transit Agency bus. A ceremony was held today at SunLine’s headquarters in Thousand Palms, where students, their families, and teachers gathered to celebrate the winners and present them with commemorative plaques.

The annual contest invites students from local schools to design artwork inspired by what a “sustainable ride” means to them, highlighting clean energy, eco-friendly transit and community mobility. SunLine officials say they received over 100 submissions this year.

“I've been doing art ever since I was a kid,” one Desert Hot Springs high school student said. “It lets you be creative and just create whatever you want. This contest gave me the chance to use that skill I’ve built over the years.”

Teachers say the contest not only motivates students artistically but gives them a chance to make a visible impact in the community. “A lot of them look forward to seeing their artwork on buses traveling the valley every day,” shared Mona Babauta, the CEO of Sunline Transit Agency.

SunLine says the next round of applications will open at the beginning of 2026.