Local artists were given the chance this year to submit a masterpiece to be named the “official artwork” for the Double Decker Arts Festival. The art is printed on the official festival T-shirts and the official festival poster.

This year’s Double Decker artwork was created by local artist and Registered Art Therapist Eden Flora who moved to Oxford this summer from Boston and has fallen in love with the town.

“I entered the contest because I wanted the opportunity to create an image about the town I call my home now,” Flora said. “My artistic style is childlike, playful and bright, which shows in our 2016 artwork. I love painting in a way that is imperfect with slightly skewed perspectives.”

Celebrating 21 years April 22-23, Oxford’s Double Decker Arts Festival is a free, two-day festival inspired by the literary town’s 1994 import of a double-decker bus from England. The festival attracts more than 60,000 people and is the recipient of more than 25 awards, including Best Festival by “Mississippi Magazine” and a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society.

The public is invited to attend the Double Decker Arts Festival press conference at the Visit Oxford office at 1013 Jackson Ave. East at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23 where the artwork will be unveiled.

Open to residents

Artists were able to apply for consideration via applications posted on the official Double Decker website as well as on the Double Decker Facebook page.  Only residents of Lafayette County were considered and the bus had to be included in the artwork. Flora will receive a free Double Decker Arts Festival art vendor booth space the day of the festival.

“We had eight artists apply, and we had a Double Decker Jury of five members who voted on the artwork,” said Lee Ann Stubbs, Double Decker coordinator.