Oxford Double Decker Arts Festival Kicks off April 25

OXFORD, Miss. (Press Release) — This year’s Double Decker festival kicks off Friday, April 25 with selected artist demonstrations. This marks the second year that the festival has featured the demonstrations.

The artist’s market will be set up on North Lamar near FNB Oxford, from noon – 6 p.m. and the demos will last from noon – 5 p.m. Local toy maker, Red Byrd, will be doing a demonstration from 1-1:45 p.m., and Oxford Artist Guild member Andi Bedsworth said, “This will be a fun one for parents of small children to attend, as well as anyone interested in how he makes his toys that fly off the shelves at Double Decker every year.”

Janet and her son Mark Barnes will also be doing demonstrations in their respective areas. Mark who specializes in making baskets from kudzu and wisteria vines said, “Some of the baskets are fairly complicated in design and some take several days to make. There is a challenge with each basket, but I enjoy working through the challenge and I also enjoy teaching others to make baskets.”

Janet who has been painting for nearly 40 years and specializes in watercolor said, “I enjoy teaching others what I do. My subject matter varies from very realistic work to very abstract, my favorite, and the subjects range from flowers, animals, landscape, Oxford scenes etc.”

There will also be a children’s activity from 4-5PM at the University Museum. “We love having the opportunity to take the art, culture, and history of the Museum beyond the physical museum walls, and we especially love showcasing the rich artistic history of Mississippi,” said Emily Dean who is the curator of education for the University Museum. “At last year’s Double Decker activity we created art inspired by Mississippi artist, Theora Hamblett, and this year we’ll be doing a quick and easy printmaking activity inspired by Walter Anderson.”

For a full schedule of events visit http://doubledeckerfestival.com/schedule/ or for more information call Visit Oxford at (662) 232-2477.