FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 26, 2024

Oxford Picket Fences Benefit Local Nonprofits

Oxford, MD – The Oxford Business Association has been supporting local nonprofits since 2007 with an auction of one-of-a-kind painted Picket Fences. Local artists have volunteered their time and talents to create these 4-picket sections of the iconic Oxford Picket fence, depicting life on the Eastern Shore. We are pleased this year to welcome several new artists and organizations to the project. The fences will be on display throughout the town of Oxford for the entire summer, through early October. This year there are 11 fences, and each was created in support of a Talbot County nonprofit. On October 19th, 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 11 partner organizations and artists are: CASA of the Mid-Shore (Sally Fronk and grandchildren), For All Seasons Behavioral Health and Rape Crisis Center (Josepha Price), John Wesley Preservation Society and Museum (Annie Mathews), Oxford Community Center (Mary Ford), Oxford Museum (John Tochko), Shore Rivers (Maggii Sarfaty), Sts. Peter and Paul School (Jacqui Gosselin), Talbot Humane Society (Alan Mielke), Talbot Interfaith Shelter (Sue Stockman), and Waters Methodist Church (Diana Evans) and Project Linus (Donna Clarke).

Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to come stroll the shady streets of Oxford and discover these little gems on display. On October 19, 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 photos and information on the Picket Fences is available 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, Brinsfield Fence Co., and the Oxford Community Center. Visit www.portofoxford.com for more information.