When it was time to say goodbye to the beloved yellow MetroCard at the end of last year, New Yorkers didn’t mourn it — they turned it into art. “Inspired by MetroCard” at the New York Transit Museum’s Grand Central Gallery & Store is proof of that.

Entry to the exhibition is free, and walking through Grand Central Terminal to get there only adds to the experience. The gallery, which was curated by Jodi Shapiro and opened on March 16, features collages, garments, mosaics and paintings. 

The most striking piece in the exhibition is Nina Vishneva’s “MetroDress,” a wedding dress made entirely out of MetroCards. Hundreds of MetroCards build out the tiered skirt, while the bodice is a white corset with cards visible behind the lace. The necklace, a chunky collar of cards mixed with a flower, ties it all together. The loud yellow and blue of the MetroCard repeated hundreds of times makes the whole thing feel chaotic and very New York. To transform the most disposable object in the city into an extravagant piece of clothing is contradictory and gives the MetroCard the exit it deserved — over the top and unforgettable.

“Tenement & Fire Escape” by Thomas McKean is a small architectural sculpture built from hundreds of cut-up MetroCards stacked together as the walls of a tenement, with windows and a fire escape extending from the side. As someone who grew up in New York City, the sculpture pushed me to reflect on the buildings in my neighborhood that have been torn down and replaced with something unrecognizable in the last few years. The retirement of the MetroCard only added to that feeling of loss — another piece of the city gone overnight. The piece references the city’s historic tenement buildings and reflects stories of McKean’s own family, who have been in New York for generations. The MetroCard rode alongside every version of the city his family experienced in the 32 years it has been in use. For those of us who grew up here, McKean’s piece is a reminder of every commute and every version of the city that has changed around you.

East Village artist VH McKenzie paints oil scenes of New York City’s iconic landscapes onto individual MetroCards: the Arch at Washington Square Park, the Brooklyn Bridge and the occasional subway rat. Her painting of the iconic blue and white paper Anthora coffee cup is rendered in thick, textured oil paint, with the Greek pattern making it instantly recognizable. These pieces are charming and fun to look at, consisting of colorful and intricate paint work that uplifts the viewer’s spirit. McKenzie’s paintings capture small moments strung together to tell the story of life in the city.

“Inspired by MetroCard” is a worthwhile detour, whether you’ve grown up in the city or arrived just in time to swipe before OMNY took over. Walking away, you’ll wish you kept more of your MetroCards too.

“Inspired by MetroCard” will be on display at Grand Central Terminal until October 31. 

Contact Nancy Lama at [email protected].