SUFFOLK, Va. — A peanut sculpture has been created for Suffolk, marking the beginning of the Suffolk Peanut Project. This initiative seeks to install peanut statues throughout the city, celebrating Suffolk’s historical ties to peanut farming. Sculptor Myke Irving created the first statue, along with mermaid sculptures in Norfolk and Blue Heron statues in Chesapeake.
Irving emphasizes the project’s dual purpose: promoting public art while raising funds for charity through each installation. "I'm passionate about public art because it benefits the community and charity," he said. The project’s broader goal is to draw attention to Suffolk’s natural trails and local culture. Ellen Benegar, secretary of Suffolk Parks & Trails Alliance, outlines the organization’s standards for approved art: it must be Suffolk-focused, family-friendly, and representative of the region.
The alliance aims to place at least one statue in each borough and village, including Whaleyville, Holland, and Chuckatuck. Irving hopes the project gains traction, stating, "I’d like it to be as popular as the mermaids—it would be a dream." Sponsorship is critical; the alliance needs financial support to expand the project, with sponsors able to choose an artist for personalized statues.