Part of Milford Cultural Council’s ‘Brush to Table’ initiative

The Milford Cultural Council (MCC), in partnership with the Italian American World War Veterans of the U.S. Post 40 (ITAM), is pleased to announce the winning artists for the America 250 Picnic Table Project. The Council extends its appreciation to all the artists who submitted designs to the Call to Artists for three new picnic tables to be creatively painted in a patriotic theme to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

The winning design titles and artists are:

•  “Honoring All Those Who Served” by veteran and artist Tasha DeBlois; 

•  “The Minuteman” by mural artist David O’Gara; and 

•  “Home of the Brave” by mother-daughter duo Lisa Sullo and Amelia Ledrich. 

The artists painted the tables over the summer. The three tables will be placed under the Fontecchio Pavilion at Milford’s ITAM Veterans Hall, just steps off the Upper Charles Trail at 4 Hayward Field. The goal was to have the tables completed and in place before Labor Day. These tables will join three tables that were painted in patriotic themes in 2022 and 2025 as part of the council’s ongoing Brush to Table initiative. Each of the winning artists will be awarded a $500 stipend upon completion of their tables courtesy of ITAM Post 40.

Milford Cultural Council Chairperson Geri Eddins says, “The council received a diverse range of designs from professional artists, art students, and community members. We are so grateful for this enthusiastic participation and the financial support offered by ITAM Post 40 and look forward to showcasing more local talent in this functional public art that celebrates our country’s 250th anniversary.” 

This year’s public art project is a third round of the MCC’s Brush to Table Picnic Table Project, which has placed artistically painted picnic tables throughout Milford’s parks and outdoor community spaces since 2021. In 2022 the council launched Trash to Treasure, which invited artists to transform trash barrels into works of art for placement in parks and along the Upper Charles River Trail. And in 2025, the council worked with the Parks Department, the National Fitness Campaign, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to bring the Town’s first large-scale mural to Milford Town Park as an eye-catching central element of the newly installed Fitness Court Studio®. Collectively, the council refers to all of these projects as Art in the Parks. 

To see a map and portfolio of Brush to Table and Trash to Treasure designs completed since the inaugural project initiated in 2021, visit https://bit.ly/MilfordMApublicArtPortfolio. 

For more information about this project, contact [email protected] or visit MilfordMA.gov/309/Cultural-Council.

About the Milford Cultural Council

As a local partner of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Milford Cultural Council seeks to promote excellence, inclusion, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and sciences to foster a rich cultural life for all Milford residents, thereby contributing to the vitality of our community and economy. The council welcomes ideas, recommendations, and feedback regarding programs and events funded or sponsored by the council. Interested Milford residents are encouraged to attend meetings, which are held the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. typically in Room 14 of Town Hall. 

Lisa Sullo, together with her daughter Amelia Ledrich (page 1), work on their award-winning picnic table entry, “Home of the Brave.” Courtesy photo