New CATAArt CATABUS is “Connecting Our Community”
Dozens of student artists, families, and community members came together to celebrate creativity and connection.
CATA and friends celebrated the 2026 CATAArt Contest on Tuesday, April 28. The return of this formerly annual event transformed the winning entries of a student art competition into a moving canvas to be seen across the Centre region on a CATABUS.
Centered around this year's theme, "Connecting Our Community," the contest invited student artists to reflect on the role transit plays in bringing together people, places, and ideas together. Be sure to keep an eye out for the most stylish vehicle on the road as the CATAArt CATABUS begins running on all routes over the coming months. We hope it brings a smile to your face everytime you see it!
Winning Artwork
Aside from the obvious talent of the winning students, the CATAArt CATABUS also highlights the pride and support of the families, educators, and peers who encouraged their creativity. Each piece reflects a unique perspective on our community and the connections between us. It's a role CATA aims to play every day while taking people to see friends and family, to work, and to play, and everywhere in between.
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Winning Entry from Ryder Diven, Kindergarten, Gray's Woods Elementary -
Winning Entry from Jack Duffy, 1st Grade, Gray's Woods Elementary -
Winning Entry from Willow Petersen, 2nd Grade, Gray's Woods Elementary -
Winning Entry from Callahan Gambino, 3rd Grade, Spring Creek Elementary -
Winning Entry from Bella Jimenez, 4th Grade, Gray's Woods Elementary -
Winning Entry from Scarlett Bigger and Erin Maclay, 5th Grade, Gray's Woods Elementary
Aside from the obvious talent of the winning students, the CATAArt CATABUS also highlights the pride and support of the families, educators, and peers who encouraged their creativity. Each piece reflects a unique perspective on our community and the connections between us. It's a role CATA aims to play every day while taking people to see friends and family, to work, and to play, and everywhere in between.
Student Artists
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Ryder with his winning Kindergarten Entry -
Jack with his winning 1st grade entry. -
Willow with her winning 2nd Grade Entry -
Callahan with her winning 3rd Grade entry. -
Bella with her winning 4th Grade entry. -
Scarlett with her winning 5th Grade entry.
The CATAArt Contest and CATABUS was made possible this year with our co-sponsor, the Borough of State College. Special thanks to all of our local partners, including Mayor Ezra Nanes and the SCASD Art Department, for their collaboration that made this event and contest possible.
We are additionally grateful to our prize sponsors, the Discovery Space and Centre Elite Gymnastics, for helping us recognize and celebrate the achievements of these young artists. We would also like to thank the staff at Uncle Eli's Art Supplies for their thoughtful assistance in curating the art supply gift bags that were given to this year's winners.
Event Highlights
Events like the CATAArt Contest showcase how public transit can serve as a key point of community connection in more ways than one. Not just a way for our friends and neighbors to get from place to place, but a platform for community creativity and celebration. We hope this contest—and many community-centered events like it—can remain a tradition that brings us together for many years to come.
Did you know?
With a free Youth Summer Pass, persons 18 and under can get unlimited rides on CATABUS and CATAGO! vehicles between May 1 and August 31.
Sign up at CATA's Downtown Customer Service Center located at 108 E. Beaver Avenue with simple identification that proves your date of birth.