Pascagoula artist Teri Smith wins poster contest
SUBMITTEDLive Oak Arts Festival Chair Belinda Dammen looks on as artist Teri Smith signs her original design for the fourth annual event in May.
PASCAGOULA -- Teri Smith of Pascagoula is the winner of Live
Oak Arts Festival's annual poster-design contest with her bright,
untraditional work that highlights both the sense of place and the
honored Live oaks. Her original artwork will be printed and shared
throughout the community to publicize the fourth annual festival set for
May 11 downtown.
Smith's abstract approach and use of bright colors were cited by Belinda Dammen, festival committee chair.
"She tied in our local history by bringing together the Gateway Oak and the Round Island Lighthouse," Dammen said.
Smith, an art teacher at Gautier High School who was raised in Laurel, has lived in Pascagoula for 10 years.
She said she fell in love with art when she was young.
"When you live in Laurel and you have the Lauren Rogers Museum there, you learn early on," she said. "My mom was always signing us up for art classes."
After earning her teaching credentials at Mississippi State and a master's degree in foreign language at the University of Southern Mississippi, she taught art and English in South America.
"I have been blessed to have studied art with many of the world's finest artists and teachers, and I have also had the pleasure to teach some fine young artists," she said.
Smith continues to develop her skills, working on drawing and painting in her free time.
She entered the poster contest to encourage her students to become involved in similar community art opportunities.Smith's abstract approach and use of bright colors were cited by Belinda Dammen, festival committee chair.
"She tied in our local history by bringing together the Gateway Oak and the Round Island Lighthouse," Dammen said.
Smith, an art teacher at Gautier High School who was raised in Laurel, has lived in Pascagoula for 10 years.
She said she fell in love with art when she was young.
"When you live in Laurel and you have the Lauren Rogers Museum there, you learn early on," she said. "My mom was always signing us up for art classes."
After earning her teaching credentials at Mississippi State and a master's degree in foreign language at the University of Southern Mississippi, she taught art and English in South America.
"I have been blessed to have studied art with many of the world's finest artists and teachers, and I have also had the pleasure to teach some fine young artists," she said.
Smith continues to develop her skills, working on drawing and painting in her free time.
Smith's son inspired her vision for the winning design.
"I started a much more complicated design at first, but it was not working out," she said.
A videographer from USM, her son photographed the Gateway Oak and said, "Mom, you should use this in your design."
The festival showcases local art and cuisine, shopping, children's activities, music and storytelling. The festival committee is accepting applications for artist vendor booths at loaf.pascaagoula@gmail.com.
For more information, call 938-2217.
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