Design competition to transform plastic balls into art at Dupont Underground space

A group of artists is hoping to transform an abandoned trolley station underneath Dupont Circle.

The group is known as the Dupont Underground. It is encouraging local artists to come up with a creative design to turn this vacant space into a public art form.

Dupont Underground just announced they are about to start design and installation of their new inspiration - 650,000 plastic balls.

You may have seen the entrance signs outside the Dupont Circle Metro stop. Below is 14,000 square feet of unused platform that is about to be transformed into an art space.

Dupont Underground identifies itself as a cultural organization committed to developing art for the city.

Their concept for this space is called Re-Ball! It is a competition for artists to show how they can creatively transform plastic balls.

The balls were a part of "The BEACH" exhibit in the National Building Museum this past summer and they have now been donated to Dupont Underground.

Anyone can sign up for the challenge and candidates are encouraged to be creative, witty and work within the confines of the space and a budget.

A winner and three runner-ups will then be chosen to display their Re-Ball art at the old train station.

Once set up, the goal is for the public space to be filled with even more than just art.

"We want this to be an asset for locals and for D.C. creative artist designer types," said Braulio Agnese, managing director of Dupont Underground. "We also want to service a space that brings things to D.C. that maybe aren't happening here because there isn't space for them and we think we have the space to do some really amazing things."

Dupont Underground is hoping to be set up by late spring and will be open to the public once it is launched. From there, the creators want to add music, drinks, food and even private events.

More information can be found at re-ball.org.