Art in the Yard

Art in the Yard is presented by Gloria D Hall, Ideator and Co-Founder of Art in the Park, Worcester in conjunction with the Oxford Free Public Librarian Brittany McDougall and the library's trustees. The exhibit is designed to enhance the library experience, bring public art to the citizens of Oxford, and provide an opportunity for artists to showcase their work. The site is located at 339 Oxford Free Public Library, 339 Main Street, a sand colored brick two story Queen Anne Style building constructed in 1902 and opened to the public in 1903, situated on three quarters of an acre with six large oak trees and manicured lawns.

Artists may submit proposals for site-specific sculptures or high-resolution images of up to two sculptures. Submissions must include a drawing with key and scale information, description of the proposed work and materials, and 1-3 clearly labeled digital images in JPEG format (1200 pixels on the longest side, less than 5 MB). One optional video per piece is permitted. Preference will be given to work produced within the past five years. Sculptures should be large scale with the ability to be well anchored in a tree, into the ground, or on a base platform. Sharp and pointed pieces should be avoided below 4 feet to prevent injury to viewers. All media must be safe for viewers, suitable for outdoor installation, and appropriate for extended outdoor exhibition and exposure to weather. Artists are encouraged to submit pieces with strong color or bright metal. Selection will be based on quality, visual design, and experience of place in relationship to the architectural and social surrounding and landscape.

Artists are responsible for transporting, installing, and removing their work with limited volunteer assistance. Heavy-duty machinery for unloading and setup will be available on a limited scheduled basis. Installation dates are June 11 or 13, 2024, with opening day on June 15, 2024. Once installed, sculptures must remain throughout the exhibition period. Artists should have their own liability and property insurance, as the site does not have twenty-four hour surveillance and neither the property owner nor call administrator can be held responsible for damages. The organizers reserve the right to reject installation if any work deviates significantly from accepted proposals or poses a safety risk. Artist retains copyright interests in the artwork, with the exception that the presenter and its agents may reproduce images for marketing and reports. Notification of acceptance will be provided by April 24, 2024.