K-Rail Design

State St 2004

City of Santa Barbara Percent for Art Santa Barbara South County State Street

Two people paint colorful murals on concrete barriers along a city street in Santa Barbara County, while others walk by. The vibrant scene unfolds in front of a corner shop, with palm trees and street signs adding to the local charm.

Three people in safety vests decorate street barriers with colorful designs on a Santa Barbara County sidewalk, working near orange cones and a pink stucco building lined with palm trees.

Outdoor dining area in Santa Barbara County with colorful table covers featuring palm tree designs, closed red umbrellas, patio heaters, lush green plants along a brick walkway under string lights and a blue banner.

A person in a safety vest kneels on the sidewalk, taping near a colorful painted barrier with cityscape designs. Along the street, historic buildings and palm trees capture the charm of Santa Barbara County under a clear blue sky.

Project Overview

To celebrate the vibrancy of Santa Barbara’s downtown and create a more welcoming gateway to the State Street Pedestrian Promenade, the City of Santa Barbara and the County Office of Arts & Culture partnered to transform a set of functional traffic barriers—known as “k-rails”—into an eye-catching public art installation.

In April 2024, the Office of Arts & Culture issued a call for local artists to submit design proposals aimed at reimagining the k-rails at the intersection of State and Haley Streets. The goal was to replace the visual clutter of these necessary safety barriers with artwork that reflects the character and creativity of our community.

Within just two weeks, dozens of high-quality proposals were received. A review panel composed of representatives from the City, the Office of Arts & Culture, local cultural organizations, and nearby businesses selected Andrew Thill, a Santa Barbara–based artist and designer, for his bold, vibrant design celebrating iconic symbols of the region.

Following a permitting and production period, Andrew’s design was printed on custom vinyl wraps and professionally installed by local media company GraphicInk. Staff from the Office of Arts & Culture completed the installation by painting the remaining exposed sections of the k-rails—creating a cohesive and colorful addition to the streetscape.

Medium: Sculpture – Acrylic Wrap

About the Artist(s)

Andrew Thill

Andrew Thill is a creative professional located in California. He works with a diverse range of clients, providing impactful creative solutions to those seeking his expertise. With diverse design capabilities, Andrew aims to produce work that transcends time and trends and resonates with his clients. Fueled by his versatile skill set, he crafts concepts and projects that adeptly capture his client’s vision. Services offered by the studio encompass graphic design, photography, illustration, branding, and fine art. Andrew’s extensive portfolio mirrors the diversity of clientele he has serviced, having honed his craft under the tutelage of Pentagram Design, the world’s best design firm, and Magnum Photo, the world’s premier photography agency. Andrew’s creative solutions have touched upon design for individuals, businesses, academic institutions, cities, musicians, celebrities, museums, and live events. His fine art has sold at Sullivan and Goss, one of the premier art galleries in California. His creative journey began with darkroom film photography and formal design education at California Baptist University, culminating in a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design & Digital Media. His postgraduate endeavors led him to the Brooks Institute of Photography, where he pursued a Master of Fine Arts, before a brief study of architecture and 3D design at UCLA.

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