MetroCards Find New Life as Art in Grand Central Exhibit

Artists transform the ubiquitous transit cards into paintings, mosaics, and wearable designs.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 10:45am

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As the MetroCard is being phased out across New York City's transit system, a new exhibition at the New York Transit Museum's Grand Central gallery is showcasing how artists have transformed the everyday object into works of art. The "Inspired by MetroCard" exhibit features paintings, collages, mosaics, and even clothing made from the iconic blue cards.

Why it matters

The exhibit highlights how an ordinary, utilitarian item can take on new meaning and creative expression as it nears the end of its use. The diverse artworks celebrate the MetroCard's role in the daily lives of New Yorkers while preserving it as a symbol of the city's vibrant culture and community.

The details

The exhibition includes oil paintings by artist VH McKenzie depicting New York City landmarks and scenes on individual MetroCards, collages by Nina Boesch using thousands of the cards, and mosaics by Juan Carlos Pinto featuring birds and wildlife. Other artists have incorporated MetroCards into clothing and accessories. Despite the card's impending phase-out, many of the artists have amassed large stockpiles, with Boesch claiming to have around 90,000 cards in storage.

  • The "Inspired by MetroCard" exhibit is on view at the New York Transit Museum's Grand Central gallery through October 26, 2026.
  • The MetroCard was introduced in New York City in 1994 and is now being phased out across the transit system.

The players

VH McKenzie

An artist who paints detailed oil scenes depicting New York City landmarks and culture on individual MetroCards.

Nina Boesch

An artist who has been creating MetroCard collages for 25 years, working with scales ranging from a single card to hundreds fused together. She claims to have around 90,000 MetroCards in storage.

Juan Carlos Pinto

An artist who turns MetroCards into mosaics, often depicting birds like Flaco the owl and other wildlife found in New York City parks.

Jodi Shapiro

The curator at the New York Transit Museum who organized the "Inspired by MetroCard" exhibition.

Flaco

An owl that became a sensation in New York City's Central Park and is featured in some of the MetroCard mosaics.

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What they’re saying

“They take some time to dry, and they get a little messy, but when they are done you have a really nice original oil painting on a very small surface.”

— VH McKenzie, Artist

“I actually have around 90,000 MetroCards, about 70,000 of them are in a storage unit, 10,000 at home.”

— Nina Boesch, Artist

“The freedom it's like the birds, it's time to do something else.”

— Juan Carlos Pinto, Artist

What’s next

The "Inspired by MetroCard" exhibit at the New York Transit Museum's Grand Central gallery will be on display through October 26, 2026, giving visitors a chance to see the diverse artworks created from the iconic transit cards before they are fully phased out across New York City.

The takeaway

The "Inspired by MetroCard" exhibition showcases how an everyday object can be transformed into works of art that capture the spirit and culture of New York City. As the MetroCard nears the end of its use, these creative reinterpretations preserve its legacy as a symbol of the daily commute and community life in the city.