The Double Decker Arts Festival hosts a multitude of musicians, artists and vendors during its two-day stint on the Square every year. Over 100 art vendors and more than 20 local food vendors will set up on the Square on April 27 for the 27th celebration of the festival.
From reclaimed vintage picture frames to upcycled art and accessories, a variety of artistic creations will be displayed at the festival, including work from campus organizations at the University of Mississippi.
Pixel Press is the first interdisciplinary student organization on the UM campus that focuses on printmaking and photography. Kaleena Stasiak, assistant professor of art and printmaking at the university, explained how the club has prepared for Double Decker.
“Club members have been working hard the past few weeks to make handmade commodities such as tote bags, cards, dish towels, buttons, notebooks, etc. through printmaking and photographic processes such as screen printing, relief, cyanotype and bookbinding methods,” Stasiak said.
Stasiak said students’ involvement in the organization allows them to learn skills they can apply in their future careers, including the ability to facilitate a business.
“Making, pricing, displaying and selling handmade items will help students gain an understanding of how to run a business and make money with an arts degree,” Stasiak said. “The money raised will go towards bringing in visiting artists and participating in field trips to relevant museums and conferences.”
Based in Walnut, Miss., Ron Buse’s business Gridiron Classics repurposes used footballs, baseballs and baseball gloves into leather products including wallets, keychains, bracelets, earrings and journal covers. Buse explained the significance of the involvement of his business in this year’s Double Decker Arts Festival.
“I’m excited to introduce my craft to another part of the area and would hope to grow my customer base among football, baseball and other sports fans,” Buse said. “(I am hoping to impact Double Decker) by bringing a unique, one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted product that is not seen at most craft events.”
Epoxy and wood artisan Alice Cole Adams runs ACA Creations. Based in Collierville, Tenn., ACA Creations primarily crafts end tables, smaller drink tables and charcuterie boards.
“I love searching for unusual pieces and species of wood from all over the world,” Adams said. “I especially love working with spalted wood — a fancy name for beginning to rot — and find it to be the most challenging, and it ends up being the most colorful, most beautiful and most rewarding once completed.”
Adams also noted that the bird in her logo is a tribute to her mother, Genevieve, who passed away in 2019.
“It’s kind of a tribute to her because that little feisty wren was her favorite (bird) since childhood,” Adams said.
Elizabeth Gooden works with her father to create artistic pieces out of vintage, upcycled picture frames for her business, Estate Frames, a Decatur, Ga., business. Gooden is excited for Double Decker, as it will be her first time visiting Mississippi.
“It’s going to be a big benefit for us,” Gooden said. “We hope to generate buzz (at the festival) with unique art and designs.”
The festival vendors will be open for business at 10 a.m. on Sat., April 27 on the Square.
“I am looking forward to being a part of such a wonderful event,” Adams said. “I already feel honored to have been chosen to be a part. I do not take this honor lightly at all. … I am truly grateful.”
