by Rachel Hazzard
October 1, 2025
Categories: Navy Yard Transit / Shuttles, Public Art,
Public art at the Navy Yard is on the move.
Dream Big is a mobile art project transforming the Navy Yard transit shuttle buses into vibrant, rolling works of art. Created by acclaimed Philadelphia artist King Saladeen, these buses now serve as “moving canvases” bringing bold color, imagination, and inspiration to the daily commute.
Beyond its bold color palette, Dream Big is layered with meaningful imagery that reflects both Philadelphia and the Navy Yard’s identity. The Philadelphia skyline rises in the background alongside the iconic Navy Yard gates—symbolizing the physical and symbolic connection the shuttle provides between Center City and the innovation unfolding on campus. Look closer and you’ll discover thoughtful details woven throughout the design: a Sea Monster nodding to the Navy Yard’s first public art installation with Group X; a naval ship bearing the hull number “215,” a tribute to the local area code; and the distinctive curve of 1200 Intrepid, designed to echo the form of a battleship. Together, these elements weave the city’s history, creativity, and forward momentum into a moving tribute that quite literally carries Philadelphia’s story forward.
The buses travel along two key routes connecting the Navy Yard to Center City and to NRG Station on the Broad Street Subway Line, providing employees and visitors with easy access to campus. Now, in addition to offering a convenient ride, they deliver something more: a reminder that creativity fuels progress.
“These buses are moving canvases—symbols of energy, resilience, and the unbreakable spirit of Philadelphia,” said King Saladeen. “By bringing my world of color and imagination into the Navy Yard, I wanted to transform everyday transportation into a reminder that creativity moves the city forward. Art should travel, connect, and inspire just like the people who ride these buses.”
Known for his vibrant palette and uplifting visual language, King Saladeen’s work celebrates community, ambition, and individuality, making him a natural partner for a project rooted in the idea of dreaming big. As the buses move between neighborhoods, transit hubs, and the Navy Yard’s ever growing campus, they extend the Yard’s commitment to innovation and creativity beyond its borders.
Dream Big reflects the Navy Yard’s ongoing investment in public art as a powerful tool for placemaking and connection. Whether you’re heading to work, visiting campus, or catching the subway, keep an eye out. Inspiration might just pull up to your stop.
Read MorePublic Art
Learn more about past and current public art projects at the Navy Yard.