Jingle bell window art a success

Published 9:54 pm Thursday, December 7, 2017

In case you needed another reason to visit downtown Suffolk this Christmas season, students from Suffolk Public Schools have painted the town, and you don’t want to miss it.

Teams of elementary school students came to Main Street on Tuesday to paint windows at BB&T, Wells Fargo, SunTrust, Baron’s Pub, Plaid Turnip and two vacant storefronts. Middle school and high school students painted the windows at One Past 7 — Artist Loft, Brighter Day Café, Bank of America, Serendipity Salon, Subway, UnCork’d and the Suffolk News-Herald on Thursday.

We might not be completely objective in the assessment, but we’re especially partial to the festive scene painted on the storefront entrance at our own office, courtesy of students from John Yeates Middle School.

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“We try to paint before the parade so we can show off our talented art students, and the shopkeepers love it, because it makes their businesses more festive,” said Lesa McNamara of Suffolk Public Schools. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”

Indeed, the art students get a chance to show off their talents, the shopkeepers and business owners have an opportunity to support and encourage the students, and the folks who visit downtown find a business district that is cheerful and evocative of all the fun of Christmas.

There are snowmen and Santas, reindeer and wreaths, bells and even a biplane to be found on the downtown windows, all of them centered on the city’s parade them, “Jingle Bell Christmas.”

Come on down and have a look. And while you’re here, be sure to stop and visit some of the fine shops and restaurants downtown Suffolk has to offer. We’re sure you’ll find something worthy of wrapping and putting under the tree for Christmas morning.