When you’re driving through Winston-Salem, it’s easy to pass by a utility box without giving it a second thought. But in the Boston-Thurmond neighborhood, some of those plain metal boxes are transforming into vibrant storytellers—each one wrapped in art that reflects the history, culture, and spirit of the community.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Art Commission and supported by the Boston-Thurmond Community Network, celebrates one of the last, historically Black neighborhoods in Winston-Salem. Established in 1892, the Boston-Thurmond neighborhood quickly became the hub of Black social, cultural, and economic life. Even as the 1950s and 1960s brought highways, urban disruption, and the relocation of Wake Forest University, the community endured and continues to thrive today. This utility box project pays homage to that resilience.
A Neighborhood Trail of Art
In early 2024, the city put out a call for artists and awarded a $500 stipend to chosen creators whose designs tied back to the Boston-Thurmond neighborhood’s legacy. Fast forward to today, 11 boxes have been wrapped (with three more on their way) in artwork inspired by the neighborhood’s icons, history, and culture. Together, they form a colorful “trail” throughout the area, turning busy intersections into open-air galleries.
JKS Incorporated has been honored to play a small part in bringing this vision to life by printing and installing the vinyl wraps that carry these stories into the streets
Behind the Wraps
While the art is the star of the show, there’s quite a bit of behind-the-scenes detail that goes into making these boxes shine.
- Printing Precision: Community artists provide the artwork, but sometimes our team needs to adjust the files (i.e., adding bleed, aligning panels, making sure each design flows seamlessly across the box’s shape).
- Watching the Weather: Installation is weather-dependent—it can’t be too hot, too cold, or too wet. Each wrap has to be applied carefully for a flawless finish.
- Installed to Last: We use a special anti-graffiti laminate that keeps the artwork protected. If a box is defaced, a little mild detergent is all it takes to clean it up.
- Box Standards: Each utility box comes with its own set of rules. Box numbers must remain visible, vents need to breathe, and the wraps are cut with precision to meet those requirements.
“This has been such a neat project and the boxes look great after we get the vinyl installed,” said Stann Harris, JKS Incorporated’s Creative Services Senior Manager. “Something you wouldn’t notice in your day-to-day life has suddenly become a work of art.”
More Than a Wrap
The Boston-Thurmond Community Network has also been busy collecting oral histories and building a neighborhood archive, ensuring that memories and voices are preserved alongside these visual tributes. Together, these efforts create a fuller picture of a community that has shaped Winston-Salem for more than a century.
At JKS Incorporated, we’re proud to support this project—not just because it brightens our city’s intersections, but because it honors the people and the history that makes Winston-Salem what it is.