Cars pass by the wavy design on the Kingsboro guardrail leading to Suffolk’s historic district. Courtesy City of Suffolk

One might not think of a roadside guardrail as a canvas for artwork. At over 100 feet long, the Kingsboro guardrail that runs between East Constance Road and Orchard Avenue is no exception.

Sitting on a hill and beside a main thoroughfare leading into the historic district, the guardrail was riddled with years of rust, chipped paint and encroaching vegetation. But Keep Suffolk Beautiful, along with the Suffolk Art League, saw an opportunity for a mural despite all of the obstacles.

The groups put out a call to artists in March. A local muralist, Corinna Seyward, was selected from a group of “very qualified applicants,” the city said in a news release. Her linear design lent itself to the distinct nature and shape of the guardrail; work began in May.

After securing funding and materials, volunteers cleared away the vegetation, sanded down the rough edges and painted a coat of primer to seal the exposed metal.

Artist Corinna Seyward said she got “immense support” from passing motorists and walkers as she painted the Kingsboro guardrail. Courtesy City of Suffolk

Then, over the course of three work sessions between May and June, Seyward completed the mural, which spans the entire length of exposed guardrail. She praised “the immense support” she received from passing motorists and walkers, and said she was thankful to be the selected artist.

“I am very grateful that Keep Suffolk Beautiful and the Suffolk Art League trusted me with this beautification project,” she said. “I was honored to bring some bright and colorful visual joy to the citizens of Suffolk.”

Linda Bunch, executive director of the Suffolk Art League, said she is looking toward the future after the successful completion of the project.

“The Kingsboro Guard Rail public art project has been wonderful, and what we hope is the first of many public art projects in the city,” Bunch said. “Partnering with Keep Suffolk Beautiful and artist Corinna Sayward was a great experience. We hope people entering downtown on Constance Road enjoy this colorful and fun mural.”

Kingsboro Civic League Vice-President Carol McClelland was at the unveiling, and said that the project was “a breath of fresh air and long overdue,” citing the worn state the guardrail had previously been in.

“The responses I’ve heard have all been positive, and that’s a great thing because of all the negativity in the world right now,” she said.

Keep Suffolk Beautiful has pages on Facebook and Instagram highlighting current events and future projects, and can be contacted by email at ksb@suffolkva.us, or by phone at 757-514-7604.