Subway Kiosk Transformed into Whimsical Art Hub at West Fourth Street

Commuters passing through the West Fourth Street subway station were greeted by an unusual sight this weekend: a dormant newspaper kiosk reopened not to sell goods, but to offer a rotating series of creative experiences. The project, spearheaded by Al Mullen, the creator of the guerilla publication *Public Transport Magazine*, aims to provide a moment of levity for transit riders.

The installation is part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Vacant Unit Activation Program, an initiative launched in 2023 to repurpose unused retail spaces within the subway system. According to the MTA, the program seeks to fill vacancies caused by shifting retail demands with visually engaging projects that make stations more welcoming.

Visitors to the kiosk can currently find free zines, a "train aura" photo booth, and a limited selection of novelty keychains. Mullen has also begun curating a series of station-specific guides, featuring contributions from various writers, with the ultimate goal of documenting all 472 stations in the subway network.

Preparing the space proved to be a significant undertaking. Mullen described the process of cleaning the long-disused kiosk as a grueling task, noting the accumulation of debris that had gathered over years of vacancy.

For riders, the project offers a brief departure from the typical daily commute. Veronika Orlovska, a commuter who visited the site, noted that the installation serves as a reminder to pause and engage with one's surroundings rather than focusing solely on personal devices.

Looking ahead, the kiosk is scheduled to operate on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the next year. Mullen intends to host a variety of programming, including live music, stand-up comedy, and puppet shows, to further disrupt the monotony of the underground transit experience.

The MTA continues to manage several other vacant kiosks across the city, including locations at the 23rd Street-Lexington Avenue station, the Kew Gardens-Union Turnpike mezzanine, and the 42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal, as it looks for additional creative partners to activate these spaces.