It’s not a problem to create art. Bo Plunk, Ward 1 Commissioner, stated that not including the community’s input was the problem. Plunk said that he received about 60 complaints from people across all wards. People wanted to have a voice in the affairs of their local community. This is their home, and I agree with them. “What’s art to someone ain’t always art for somebody else,” Eric Stone, Clarksdale resident and author, founded Paint The Town in 2018, an arts festival that aims to improve and brighten the community. MPB Roads featured the event. Stone stated that the event was first brought up by Meghan Maike, co-organizer of Paint The Town. Stone spoke to Mississippi Today in September 2018. Stone and Maike were instrumental in bringing the idea to fruition. The first year, they raised almost $7,000 through grants and a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign. There were four Bogota artists and a few local artists who participated. Many people in the community were curious as to why local artists weren’t invited. Stone said that public notices were placed in the local newspaper and made social media calls, but received very few responses. Stone said, “This is only the beginning of something. He said that this is not the end-all and be-all. In 2019, there were more murals painted by local artists as well as international artists. This time outrage was at its height when DJ Lu, an international artist, painted a martini glasses with a rifle alongside a face of an African American woman. The controversy was brought to the attention of DJ Lu, who painted the martini glasses. The artwork sparked debate among residents. Many residents felt that the image was inappropriate given the history of poverty and crime in the area, which has an African American population of 80 percent. In October, the issue was brought up before the board of directors. However, the discussion was rescheduled. The board voted 3 to 1 at the November 11 meeting to establish an arts commission. The mayor and each member will appoint one individual to the arts commission. However, details about how the commission will operate are still to be determined. Stone stated that city officials made “a bad mistake” and warned that artists could be excluded from participating in the festival because of new guidelines. Stone stated that Stone believes it is a fundamental issue of free speech and private property. “I wonder if that city could be sued.” I feel the city is doing more harm than good by trying to attract international artists. It could also put itself in danger with a lawsuit. Mayor Chuck Espy stated that the art in Clarksdale is “a breath of fresh air” and welcomes any artist to show their talent. He said, “As mayor of the city, I would encourage every artist to flock to city Clarksdale.” “.. Tourists, but also residents of this city love the variety.” _x000D