Eight sculptures seemed to sprout overnight in front of the Oxford Free Public Library the week of June 15.

“This will be our ninth annual Art in the Yard,” explained Brittany McDougal Bialy, the library’s director. Live music, an artist demonstration, and refreshments accompanied the exhibit’s opening on June 20.

Gloria Hall, who initiated Worcester’s popular Art in the Park, is the public call administrator for Art in the Yard. “Gloria does all the legwork,” said McDougal Bialy, “and I’m very grateful for her.” 

Hall puts out a call for submissions in February with an April 1 deadline. The library’s trustees and McDougal Bialy then review the 20-30 entries and make their final selections by mid-April.

This year the artists are Chelsea Bradway of Southborough, Jose Criollo of Worcester, Shelby Davis of Oxford, David Skora of New Hartford CT, Brendan Stecchini of Belchertown, Scott Strader of Lee, and Eric Troffkin of Grosse Pointe Park, MI.

After spending the summer and fall in Oxford, the sculptures will be dismantled and returned to their homes the first week of December. Sponsored by the Oxford Cultural Council and the Tast Charitable Fund, this perennial art exhibit has become a town favorite.