Oxford Picket Fences Benefit Local Nonprofits

Golden Twilight Hour – Diane Evans

The Oxford Business Association has been supporting local nonprofits since 2007 with an auction of one-of-a-kind painted Picket Fences. Local artists from Oxford, St. Michaels, Easton, Centerville and Hurlock volunteered their time and talents to create these 4-picket sections of the iconic Oxford Picket fence, depicting life on the Eastern Shore. The fences will be on display throughout the town of Oxford for the entire summer, late April through early September. This year there are 14 fences, and each was created in support of a Talbot County nonprofit. On September 9^th, the fences will be sold at auction at the Oxford Community Center. All proceeds from each fence will go to their respective nonprofit.

This project is meant to invite everyone to explore Oxford and its unique shops and restaurants, while allowing OBA to give back. This year the 14 partner organizations and artists are: Brookletts Senior Center (Diana Evans), CASA of the Mid-Shore(Sally Fronk), For All Seasons Behavioral Health and Rape Crisis Center (Stephen Walker), John Wesley Preservation Society and Museum (Louisa Zendt), Oxford Community Center (Pasquale DiLulio), Oxford Fire Dept (Diane Araps), Oxford FD Auxiliary (Martha Cole), Oxford Museum (John Tochko), Shore Rivers (Maggii Sarfaty), Sts. Peter and Paul School (2 fences, Erin Zimmerman, Jacqui Gosselin & student Ashley Reinoehl), Talbot Humane Society (Mark Montoya), Talbot Interfaith Shelter (Jen Schmidt), and Waters Methodist Church(Diana Evans

Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to come stroll the shady streets of Oxford and discover these little gems on display On September 9, all the fences will be on display at the Oxford Community Center for a reception and live auction. The OCC auditorium will be full of people vying for a chance to take one of these one-of-a-kind pieces of art home, for display in their gardens, on their porch or in their home. Many of the fences have artwork on both sides, so the successful bidder will get two original works of beautiful art!

In addition to being on display in Oxford for the summer, the Picket Fences will be promoted on the OBA website, https://portofoxford.com/ and on social media.  Anyone unable to attend will also be able to leave a proxy ‘left-bid’ on the website.

The Oxford Business Association works to promote the town of Oxford and to provide a positive business environment for its members to achieve cultural, civic, economic, and business goals and contribute to the prosperity and vitality of the Oxford community. Additional sponsors include the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, Brinsfield Fence Co., Oxford Inn & Pope’s Tavern and the Oxford Community Center. Visit www.portofoxford.com for more information.