A Vibrant Reflection of Suffolk

In partnership with the City of Suffolk and Keep Suffolk Beautiful, an artist was selected to design and create a mural for a public space in Downtown Suffolk. The artwork enhances the Downtown Festival Park, located at 215 W. Washington St., Suffolk, VA 23434, and draws the attention of visitors attending events throughout the year.

The park now serves as a vibrant gathering place where families and visitors enjoy live music, festivals, movies, and celebrations of the arts in the heart of downtown Suffolk.
This mural was made possible through the generous support of the
Suffolk Art League, Keep Suffolk Beautiful, W.A.T.C.H., Starr Motors, Baker Family, Cross Family and the City of Suffolk
​Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez, with over eight years of experience creating imaginative and engaging public art, has collaborated with a wide range of brands and creative teams to bring unique designs to life. His approach to mural projects involved developing original concepts tailored specifically to each space—whether featuring characters, abstract elements, or bold florals. With careful consideration of scale, character, and location, he ensured each site-specific design harmonized with its surroundings.

Jorge completed a mural in the Vibe District, which deepened his connection to and understanding of the Hampton Roads community. Having painted murals in diverse locations including Florida, Texas, Vancouver, and internationally, his extensive experience and creative vision made him a strong addition to this project. Suffolk was proud to welcome Jorge, whose work continues to inspire and help make art accessible to all. 

Courthouse Fountain Park Mural

Old City Hall & Market (1891 - 1962)

This Gothic style structure was designed by Norfolk architect, George C. Moser. Market stalls were on the first floor. The second floor housed the Police Department and an auditorium which later became a ballroom and recreational center. Court was held on the third floor. Behind this building was the Farmers' Market.
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The Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society and the City of Suffolk proudly dedicate this mural to the people of Suffolk as a reminder of the importance of historical preservation.
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This mural was produced by Suffolk native and artist, Chip Wilkinson of Wall Murals.  ​November 19, 1998.​

Coming Soon!

New Downtown Mural by Artist Alison Speerbrecker 
West Washington Street Mural 
March 9 - April 1, 2026
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​Alison, a local artist, will be showcasing her work that captivates the imagination. ​Her vibrant colors. decorative florals, and whimsical charm truly inspire. 

Discover more of her creativity at www.alisonspeerbrecker.com.
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  • { Click each tab to see featured artists and their work }

  • Theresa Earles

    I create whimsical abstract artwork that is playful, colorful, and highly detailed. My work is built through layers and layers of acrylic paint, using dots, marks, and shapes that slowly come together over time. I enjoy letting the process stay loose and intuitive, allowing the piece to grow naturally as I work.

    While my art isn’t always meant to feel uplifting, it is always engaging and full of detail. I want viewers to spend time with the work—discovering small elements, textures, and surprises the longer they look.

    My goal is to create art that feels fun, visually rich, and inviting, without asking too much of the viewer—just curiosity and a willingness to explore.

    Location: Corner of N. Main & W. Washington Streets

  • Tonya Hopson

    Tonya Hopson is a local artist based in Norfolk, Virginia and is well known for her floral paintings.  These floral paintings are inspired by her mother's bountiful garden in Michigan.  Hopson takes photographs of her mother's flowers and brings the colorful flowers to life on canvas.  These flowers represent Tonya's adoration for her mother, as she was a hard-working and caring towards her garden and children.  Tonya's flower paintings represent how women of the world bloom and thrive through adversity and from simply being themselves.
    Location:  Intersection of Market and Main Streets

  • Chris Jeanguenat

    Chris Jeanguenat is an award-winning Virginia-based artist whose work has captivated audiences throughout the region. Known for her expressive, storytelling style, Chris describes herself as a “happy, Gothic, visual storyteller,” blending joy, mystery, and narrative in each piece she creates.

    Her talent has earned her numerous accolades, including Best in Show at the prestigious Stockley Gardens Arts Festival in 2021 and Second Place in 2024. She has also been recognized for Excellence in Painting at the Port Warwick Art & Sculpture Festival, the Seawall Art Show, and the Chesapeake Arts Festival. Additionally, she is an award winner at the Suffolk Art League, where she now serves as the Exhibitions Chair on the Board of Directors.

    Chris’s art has been featured in several solo and group exhibitions across Virginia. Her one-woman shows at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens stand out among her many showcases. She has also been a featured artist at the Bay School Community Arts Center, the Dragonfly Studio in Ghent, and multiple Virginia Beach libraries.

    Her work has been published in various art magazines, including The Turquoise Iris Journal, where her visual storytelling continues to reach new audiences.
    Chris creates from her home studio in downtown Suffolk, where she continues to explore themes that are both imaginative and introspective, crafting vibrant pieces that invite viewers into her imaginative world.
    Location:  Intersection of W. Finney Ave and Main St.

  • JFK
    Middle School Students

    Four John F. Kennedy Middle School students have made a lasting contribution to Suffolk’s public art landscape, with their original designs now featured on electrical boxes and bus stops throughout the city.

    Rylee Legrand and Kaylon Smith were selected to showcase artwork on electrical boxes in neighborhoods surrounding JFK Middle School. Smith’s design, located on East Washington Street, captures the joy of childhood through playful scenes set against a downtown Suffolk backdrop. Legrand’s piece highlights the iconic Mr. Peanut framed by the city skyline.

    Additional works by Serenity Mims and Alexandria Rodriguez are also being installed around town. Mims’ artwork celebrates classic Suffolk traditions and landmarks, while Rodriguez’s bold, graffiti-inspired collage reflects the city through a dynamic collection of local scenes.

    The project, made possible through a partnership with Suffolk Parks and Recreation, provided young artists the opportunity to share their creativity in the communities where they live. All four students have previously exhibited work at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts and the Suffolk Peanut Festival, further showcasing the growing talent of Suffolk’s youth.

  • Alana Landrum

    Alana Gene J. Landrum is a mixed-media artist residing in Suffolk, Virginia. Originally from Oakland, California, her artistic roots were deeply nurtured and cultivated in the cultural and visual landscape of her hometown. Her work integrates a blend of abstract and expressionistic techniques to give form to her emotions, ideas, and memories while offering commentary on womanhood, identity, and the ephemeral essence of life. Her practice encompasses painting, drawing, and sculpture, through which she captures her thoughts on our shared humanity and how we choose to move through time and space. She leaves space in her works for interpretation and hopes to communicate, through subtle emotional cues, the dynamic interplay between mind, body, and spirit as they engage in an ongoing dialogue with the world around us.
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    Location:  Corner of Pinner and E. Washington Streets

  • Karen Sallaz

    Creating and viewing art is said to reduce stress and increase positive emotions. Win-Win.

    Location:  N. Main St.  & Freemason St. (In front of First Baptist Church)
  •  Exhibitions & Shows:
         2012: First Solo and group art shows in local galleries and boutiques, Boston, MA - 
     2012-Present: Artist has shown in multiple shows in 4 states.
     Numerous murals produced across 9 states and 11 countries.
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    Notable Projects & Commissions: 
    Adam has created over 57 commissioned works, focusing primarily on large-scale mural projects while continuing to produce canvas pieces, clothing, apparel and shoes. His murals are celebrated for their vibrant expression and ability to capture the essence of space.
     
    Artist Statement:
    My goal for any creation is to capture the vision, bring it to life, melt to the environment; as if it was always supposed to be there, and push myself to advance technically,” Adam Stanton.
    “Through my art, I aim to evoke emotions and inspire a deeper appreciation for the diverse landscapes that surround us.”

    Adam Stanton

    Adam Stanton is an artist originally from a small foothill town in Northern California. He has been serving in the US Coast Guard for over 17 years and is currently stationed in San Diego, CA, where he resides with his wife and three children. Growing up near both San Francisco and Yosemite National Park, Adam draws inspiration from the dynamic interplay between urban environments and natural landscapes, which is evident in his diverse body of work.
     
    Artistic Media & Styles:
    - Acrylic and Oil Painting 
    - Videography - Photography 
    - Street Art 
    - Mural Work 
     
    Artistic Development:
     Adam's passion for art began at a young age, drawing at the breakfast table. His artistic journey took a significant turn in high school when he discovered acrylic and oil paints. After joining the United States Coast Guard, his artistic pursuits continued, culminating in his first solo and group art shows in Boston, MA, in 2012. 

    Location:  Corner of W. Washington and N. Saratoga Streets

  • Al Staszesky

    Al Staszesky is a painter and drawing aficionado residing in Portsmouth, Virginia. He is an active artist in the Hampton Roads community, participating in various drawing groups in the seven cities and teaching traditional drawing and painting techniques. His unique style of bright colors and line strokes to portray the composition and subjects in his paintings make his artwork distinct. Staszesky is well-known for his nude portraits but paints a variety of landscapes and locations based on his travels, surroundings and inspirations. 

    "My art is based on reality. As an artist, I try to interpret what I see into something more. My tools are the medium and surface that I have chosen for my work. The surface when complete is balanced visually using the four elements of a painting. The distortion used is controlled and reworked as necessary to get the final piece. The best compliment I have received was “you make ordinary things more interesting and fun to look at.”   

    ​Location:  Corner of Market and N. Saratoga Streets

ArtStops: 
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Coloring Every Commute

In partnership with Suffolk Transit

​Clayton Singleton

A Norfolk-based visual artist, educator, and community advocate, Clayton Singleton uses art to inspire dialogue, reflection, and empowerment. His work celebrates culture, identity, and connection—values that align with Suffolk’s vision of inclusive public spaces.

Clayton has exhibited in major Virginia museums and served in leadership roles with regional arts organizations. A five-time Teacher of the Year and Norfolk Public Schools’ 2023–2024
​City-Wide Teacher of the Year, he continues to uplift youth and communities through creative engagement.

Location: East Washington Street (Wilson Pine Apartments)  Shelter

Rajendra KC

Originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, and now based in Falls Church, Rajendra KC is an award-winning plein air painter known for his vibrant landscapes and passion for teaching. His work captures the beauty of natural light and the spirit of community. Raj has taught at numerous Virginia art centers and exhibited widely along the East Coast.

​His painting for the 2024 Taste of Suffolk festival was featured on official event posters and merchandise, connecting his art directly with the local community.

Location: Godwin Court Building Shelter
WATCH Downtown Suffolk Arts and Cultural District champions Welcoming Arts, Talent, Culture, and History
to revitalize downtown through arts-driven development and creative entrepreneurship,
​incentivized by targeted tax and fee reimbursements, creating vibrant and welcoming public spaces.

WATCH Inc. is the community activation nonprofit for the WATCH Downtown Suffolk Arts and Cultural District, advancing downtown revitalization through public art, placemaking, and cultural activities that engage the community and celebrate local heritage.
Copyright 2026. City of Suffolk, Virginia