National Landing’s newest art installations along Crystal Drive and 12th Street S 

This fall, National Landing introduced a stunning new art installation by local artist Brandon Hill. Titled "Oz & Kansas," this adaptive reuse project spans two locations: along Crystal Drive at 15th Street S and 12th Street S at Long Bridge Drive. Drawing inspiration from L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz, Hill reimagines these temporary encasements for the new Transitway Extension stations, transforming them into vibrant, immersive murals that bridge fantasy and reality.

Partnership in Art 

In collaboration with Arlington County's Department of Transportation and the National Landing BID, Brandon Hill’s "Oz & Kansas" enhances the public space while construction on the Transitway Extension continues. These pieces mark the second implementation of the BID’s forthcoming Placemaking Toolkit, a guide designed to help the community and stakeholders execute placemaking interventions in accessible public spaces. This project is a testament to how creative partnerships can transform ordinary infrastructure into spaces of imagination and engagement.

An Energizing Vision with Dynamic Execution 

The "Oz & Kansas" installation pushes beyond the boundaries of traditional murals. Inspired by the duality of The Wizard of Oz, the piece explores the contrast between Dorothy's imagined world and the real one, using both bold colors and natural hues drawn from National Landing’s landscapes. Hill's design incorporates not just paint but hand-cut and CNC-shaped extrusions that bring a sense of movement and depth to the works, creating two distinct yet interconnected realms—much like the dual worlds in Baum’s novel. This dynamic approach invites viewers to lose themselves in a space that feels both familiar and fantastical, a place where "home" and "somewhere else" meet.

More About Brandon Hill and His Technique 

A multidisciplinary artist, Brandon Hill is known for his signature style that blends sculpture, mural art, and installation. His work often draws from themes of materiality, urban landscapes, and historical narratives. In "Oz & Kansas," Hill uses enamel, acrylic, pencil, and clear coat to bring his bold vision to life. The shapes that protrude from the mural were hand-cut and installed on-site, creating an interactive visual experience that captures the imagination of passersby.

"Oz & Kansas" invites the public to see the Transitway locations not as construction zones, but as spaces of whimsy, color, and creativity—a visual journey that connects two worlds. Millwork and pieces were designed and cut in Maryland by Social Supply Design, a local fabrication and interior design studio, and painted by Brandon Hill, Kate Campagna & Joseph Cereghino.

To learn more about Oz & Kansas and artist Brandon Hill, click here.