How Public Art Engages the Community

Public art isn’t just about beautification—it’s about creating dialogue, building connections, and fostering a sense of place. At Interstruct Design + Build, CEO Ryan Young has taken this philosophy to heart with the ArtCube™, an immersive public art installation that challenges perceptions and engages the Orlando community in unexpected ways.

Canvas for Creativity

The ArtCube™ started as a conversation between Young and Pat Green, a visionary in Orlando’s art scene. Inspired by a temporary container installation in Miami, they decided to push the concept further. Interstruct acquired a container, cut it in half, and retrofitted it with technology, lighting, and air conditioning to create a versatile exhibition space.

Unlike traditional murals or sculptures that are permanently installed, the ArtCube™ is designed to be curated, changing its art and messaging to continually connect with its audience. The ArtCube™ becomes a focal point for creative expression and community interaction.

Since its first exhibition in May 2023, the ArtCube™ has showcased a new artist every quarter.

Art That Sparks Conversation

If conversation and community engagement is a measure, then one of the most powerful ArtCube™ installations was created by artist Peterson Guerrier and his team at commercial art studio Red Tape Orlando.

The piece focused on the experience of riding a bus in Orlando—an everyday act that carries layers of social and economic significance. Using salvaged bus seats, handles, and windows, Peterson recreated the interior of a public bus inside the Cube. A 30-minute video projection captured real-life moments of passengers boarding, exiting, and interacting, offering an immersive glimpse into the world of public transit.

“Seats of Solitude was never just about art—it was about perspective, about empathy, about stepping into a space many of us pass by without a second thought,” said Guerrier.

“Growing up, public transit was a necessity, not a choice. It was how I got to school, to work, to wherever my dreams were leading me at the time. But as life changed, so did my access. I haven’t had to take a bus in over 25 years. My daughter may never have to unless she chooses to. And that reality—that privilege—is what sparked this installation."

“Seats of Solitude was never just about art—it was about perspective, about empathy, about stepping into a space many of us pass by without a second thought,” said Guerrier.

Public transit is more than a route on a map; it’s a lifeline, a shared space filled with stories, struggles, and resilience. It’s people doing whatever they can to move forward—literally and figuratively. With this piece, I wanted to create a space for those who never think about the bus, to sit in it, to feel it, to acknowledge it. To recognize the gap between experience and assumption.”

When asked what he wanted viewers to feel, Peterson’s response was simple but profound: empathy. He highlighted how bus ridership in Orlando carries a different social weight than in cities like New York or Boston, where public transportation is a given. His piece invited the community to reconsider assumptions about who rides the bus and why.

Building Community Through Art

Beyond the artwork itself, the ArtCube™’s real magic lies in the community it fosters. Third Thursday events, artist talks, and street-side gatherings create a space for engagement, discussion, and cultural exchange. Passersby stop to ask questions, business professionals mingle with artists, and people who might never have entered a gallery find themselves immersed in meaningful installations.

The ArtCube™ is entirely self-funded by Interstruct—not for profit, but for impact. It’s an urban experiment in how art can activate public spaces and invite deeper conversations. As Young puts it, “Sometimes art just gets installed as public art, and people ask, ‘What the hell is that?’ But powerful art has intent—it tells a story, sparks dialogue, and makes people think.”

The Future of Public Art in Orlando

Orlando is a city brimming with creativity, and projects like the ArtCube™ prove that public art can be more than just decoration. It can be a catalyst for connection, a platform for underrepresented voices, and a way to reimagine shared spaces.

As the ArtCube™ continues to evolve, its impact grows—one installation, one conversation, and one moment of empathy at a time.