Teri Smith of Pascagoula is the winner of Live Oak Arts Festival’s (LOAF) annual poster design contest with her bright, non-traditional 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 help publicize the fourth annual festival May 11, in downtown Pascagoula from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Smith’s abstract approach and use of bright colors was cited by Belinda Dammen, LOAF Committee Chair.

“She tied in our local history by bringing together the Gateway Oak and the Round Island lighthouse,” said Dammen.

An art teacher at Gautier High School, Smith, who was raised in Laurel, has lived in Pascagoula for 10 years. She says that she fell in love with art at an early age.

“When you live in Laurel and you have the Lauren Rogers Museum there, you learn early on. My mom was always signing us up for art classes.”

After receiving 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.

Not only does Smith teach art, but continues to develop her own 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 son inspired her vision for the winning poster 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.”

Live Oak Arts Festival is an annual cultural celebration showcasing local art and cuisine, shopping, children’s activities, live music entertainment, storytelling and more. In four years, it has grown to become a highly anticipated community affair, drawing crowds to the downtown area.

The Festival committee is still accepting applications for artist vendor booths at loaf.pascaagoula@gmail.com. For more information, call 228-938-2217 or visit Live Oak Arts Festival on Facebook.