MTS and Pacific Arts Movement Unveil Special AAPI Heritage Month PRONTO Card Featuring Local Artist Koy Sun
May 1, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Carmela Prudencio, Carmela@sdaff.org, 951-265-1544
SAN DIEGO, May 1, 2025
MTS and Pacific Arts Movement Unveil Special AAPI Heritage Month PRONTO Card Featuring Local Artist Koy Sun
San Diego, May 1, 2025 – In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) are proud to unveil a special edition PRONTO card and limited-time bus wrap featuring artwork by San Diego-based AAPI artist Koy Sun. These public art activations honor the vibrant cultures, histories, and contributions of the AAPI community in San Diego and beyond.
“At Pacific Arts Movement, we believe in the power of art to amplify community voices and tell important stories,” said Alex Villafuerte, Executive Director of Pacific Arts Movement. “It’s been a pleasure collaborating with local artist Koy Sun, whose artwork beautifully captures the vibrant essence of Asian American experiences. Uplifting artists and storytellers is vital to shaping the narrative of our culture, and this project is a wonderful way to celebrate that creativity.”
The bus wrap and PRONTO card’s design, created by Koy Sun, showcases a playful and vibrant scene of Asian American kids riding the bus, highlighting a shared cultural experience that resonates with many in the community. The artwork features classic and recognizable Asian American snacks and foods, reflecting the flavors and memories that bring comfort and connection. Sun, a San Diego-based artist, draws from their own upbringing and the cultural diversity of the local AAPI community, capturing the joyful moments of everyday life and celebrating the foods that have become integral to Asian American identity.
“This piece is a tribute to the incredible grocery stores we have in San Diego,” said artist Koy Suntichotinun. “For so many of us, places like Vien Dong, Seafood City, Sin Lee Food, 99 Ranch Market, H-Mart and Mitsuwa aren’t just where we grab ingredients—they’re cultural hubs. They’re where families stock up for Lunar New Year, where elders plan bus trips and where we all find a taste of home.”
The limited-edition PRONTO cards will be available beginning May 1 at select MTS Transit Store locations and during community events hosted by Pacific Arts Movement throughout AAPI Heritage Month.
Additionally, the custom bus wrap featuring Koy Sun’s artwork will run on MTS routes throughout the month of May, offering riders and passersby a joyful and visible reminder of the San Diego AAPI community’s impact on arts and culture.
MTS and Pacific Arts Movement will also host a special unveiling of the PRONTO card and bus wrap during the 14th San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase. More details on the event will be announced soon.
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ABOUT MTS:
The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates 97 bus routes and three Trolley lines across 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. Serving more than 68 million riders annually, MTS is committed to providing a sustainable, inclusive, and connected transit network. For service updates and more information, visit www.sdmts.com.
ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL:
Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) is the most comprehensive portrait of Asian and Asian American cinema in North America. Located in San Diego, California, Pac Arts is the presenter of the annual San Diego Asian Film Festival, the largest showcase of Asian cinema on the West Coast, and the Spring Showcase of Asian Cinema. The 26th San Diego Asian Film Festival is scheduled for November 6-15th, 2025.
ABOUT PACIFIC ARTS MOVEMENT:
Pacific Arts Movement (Pac Arts) launched in 2000 when it debuted at the San Diego Asian Film Festival, a showcase of Asian American and Asian international cinema. Rooted in the love of film and the arts, global citizenship, and Asian culture and communities, Pac Arts became an official nonprofit media arts organization in 2002 and is now one of the most significant exhibitions of Asian cinema in North America. For more information, visit pacarts.org.
