Artist Mark Montoya poses with his picket fence supporting Talbot Humane!
Oxford, MD – For the past decade, the Oxford Business Association’s (OBA) fall auction of these beautiful painted picket fences has been a highly anticipated event. Local artists from Oxford, Easton and St. Michaels have volunteered their time, talents, and creativity to produce colorful painted scenes on each 4-picket section of the iconic Oxford Fence representing Eastern Shore Life. These works of art will be auctioned, with all proceeds going to local charities and nonprofits. The fences are on display throughout the town of Oxford for the entire summer. This project is meant to invite everyone to explore Oxford and its unique shops and restaurants, while allowing OBA to give back. For many years the OBA has supported area charities and nonprofits, and this year there are ten partner organizations. Each is represented by an artist and the auction proceeds for each fence will go to the represented organization.
Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to come stroll the shady streets of Oxford and discover these little gems on display. In the past, the project has culminated with all the fences at the Oxford Community Center for a reception and live auction. The OCC auditorium is usually full of people vying for a chance to take one of these one-of-a-kind pieces of art home. This year COVID-19 has made it necessary to adjust plans and the auction has moved online and outside. Now, more than ever these charities and nonprofit organizations need support from the community. OBA did not want to cancel the opportunity to support these important organizations and to also provide some enjoyment for locals and visitors. In addition to being on display in Oxford for the summer, the Picket Fences will be promoted online, with online bidding until September 25th at https://portofoxford.com/picket-fence-auction-2020/. The fences will then be moved to the Oxford Community Center for an outdoor display and live auction (with social distancing and masks) to close out the project on September 26th. Anyone unable to attend will also be able to leave a proxy ‘left-bid’ on the website.
“Side B” of the fence supporting the animals of Talbot Humane!
This year participating artists, and the organization that will receive the proceeds of their fences sale are: Sally Fronk – CASA of the Mid-Shore; Louisa Zendt – Chesapeake Multi-Cultural Center; Kevin Garber – For All Seasons; Kate Huntington – John Wesley Preservation Society; Cid Collins-Walker – OCC; Marie Davis
– Oxford Garden Club; Louisa Zendt – Oxford Museum; Maggii Sarafaty – Shore Rivers; Mark Montoya – Talbot Humane Society; Lisa Wendig – Tred Avon Jr. Sailing.
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. Visit www.portofoxford.com for more information.
