Last week’s Double Decker Arts Festival was a smashing success.

The arts booths and all the activities surrounding the event helped make this a weekend worth visiting Oxford for good art, music and great food.

The staggering amount of art was almost overwhelming, but the diversity of offerings was delightful and there truly was something for all tastes.

From garden art, paintings, letterpress, pottery, woodwork, drawings, fiber art, wearable art and more, the festival succeeded in its ongoing promise to showcase the finest art in the region.

If you missed the big festivities, there are still some lingering reminders that will help keep the spirit of arts alive throughout the months that follow.

The Yokna Sculpture Trail has added some new sculptures to its three locations in town, so be sure and check those out. Locations include the Powerhouse Sculpture Garden on University Avenue, Rebel Sculpture Park in front of Meek Hall and Pat Lamar Park. 

Each location has new works recently installed, and I must say that all the new additions are stunning and exist wonderfully with the ones already installed last year.

Walking in Pat Lamar Park is always fun, but even more so now that the sculptures have been up. This past year, park visitors have been able to view these fun art works each time they walk the trail at this beautifully landscaped site.

Recently installed works only add to the visual interest. I especially enjoyed the sculpture constructed of wood in which you can sit. 

You also may notice something different in front of the University Museum on University Avenue. The sculpture, Swamp Flower by Mia Kaplan has gotten a new look. The sculpture has been on-site for some time now, but without color. The plan was always for it to live on location in two states: The first being unpainted, and the second in full vibrant color.

Congratulations are in order for Earl Dismuke, resident artist of the city of Oxford, Wayne Andrews, director of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, Durant Thompson, associate professor of sculpture at the University of Mississippi, and the entire team at the University Museum for helping to beautify our town with outdoor public art and to the city who maintain the displays and will continue rotating sculptures each year to keep the work new and fresh.

ANDI BEDSWORTH is owner of Art To Go, which brings free art opportunities to children in the community.