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Silus Hawkins, 10, and Adler Hawkins, 7, line up to create art at the July 14 event in Memorial Park. More than 40 signs were made Thursday at the Art in the Park event. Photo by Norm Krumpe.

Local artists gave used political yard signs new life during an event sponsored by the Public Arts Commission of Oxford (PACO) at Memorial Park on High Street July 14.

With the help of five volunteers and approximately $300 worth of art supplies, visitors to the Enjoy Oxford Thursday night concert series painted 44 signs which will be affixed to construction fences around the uptown park.

Volunteers prepared for the event by cutting the old yard signs to size and applying primer.  This was the second Art in the Park event. The first was on July 1, when 72 signs were painted.

“Part of PACO’s mission is to create opportunities for public participation and interactions with public spaces. Art in the Park is a great example of this. It literally centers art in our public square, and encourages everyone in the community to engage their creative skills. Re-using materials and covering up ugly construction fencing are bonuses, too,” said Carole Katz, a member of the arts commission since 2019. “This is our first, but definitely not our last, effort. We’re just getting started!”