We are pleased to announce that local artist Kevin Garber of St. Michaels (husband of our grants writer Kathy Bosin) has painted a picket fence for the Oxford Business Association’s (OBA) fall auction representing For All Seasons. For the past 10 years, 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. The fences are on display throughout the town of Oxford for the entire summer. For many years the OBA has supported area charities and nonprofits, and this year there are 10 partner organizations. Each is represented by an artist and the auction proceeds for each fence will go to the represented organization.

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; and Lisa Wendig – Tred Avon Jr. Sailing.

Kevin Garber commented, “My inspiration for my painting for For All Seasons came from the James Taylor song, “You’ve Got a Friend.” The lyrics say, ‘Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you’ve got to do is call and I’ll be there (yea, yea, yea). You’ve got a friend.’ That’s exactly what For All Seasons is for our community.”

Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to stroll the shady streets of Oxford and discover these little gems on display. In the past, the project has cumulated with all the fences at the Oxford Community Center for a reception and live auction. This year COVID-19 has made it necessary to adjust plans and the auction has moved online and outside. In addition to being on display in Oxford for the summer, the Picket Fences will be promoted online, with online bidding until September 25th.  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.