2021 Festival of Arts: What to Expect

What to expect for the 2021 Marblehead Festival of Arts

PAINTING THE TOWN

Before the Festival officially begins, we’re thrilled to announce the 2021 Painting the Town event!

Online registration for this event is open until June 25th.

• Saturday June 26th 9AM - Artists will select locations in town and paint scenes using the plein air
• Artists frame their works and submit them dry to the Festival by 6PM on June 27th
• The works from our Plein Air painters will be on display during the Festival at the Marblehead Arts Association

On Saturday, June 16th at 9AM, artists will select locations and set out to paint the beautiful scenery of Marblehead using the plein air technique. Plein air is a French expression for experiencing painting and drawing in the landscape. This dramatic practice goes back for centuries, and was truly made into an art form by French Impressionists. These fresh, rapid pieces capture the true essence of a scene, unlike any other works produced within the walls of a studio.
Plein air artists will search and study strategic locations throughout Marblehead, and work to capture the towns scenic and historic beauty on canvas and paper. Feel free to roam around town and observe the artists in their element.
That afternoon or the next morning, the completed art will be framed in the Painting-the-Town-Exhibit, and the following morning, they will be hung and judged.


Exhibits
When: July 2, 3PM-7PM and July 3-5, 10AM-5PM
Locations:
Abbott Hall: Crafts, Mixed Media, Digital Art, Sculpture, Senior Art
Grace Community Church: Painting and Printmaking
Old Town House: Photography and Drawing
Marblehead Arts Association: Painting the Town

The Marblehead Festival of Arts features 10 visual art exhibits, compromised of original works by artists in the Essex County. These exhibits include:

Crafts - Original handcrafts including calligraphy, quilts, textiles, furniture, jewelry, pottery, and stained glass.

Drawing - Original drawings in pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, conte crayon, and other media.

Mixed Media - Original artwork in two or more media in a single composition such as paint, collage, drawing, image transfer, assemblage, papier-mache, wax and found objects. Work may be displayed as two or three dimensional surfaces.

Painting - Artwork in oil, ink, acrylic or watercolor. Classic media for today’s contemporary artists.

Photography - Original photographs, created within the past three years, in black-and-white or color. One of the most popular exhibits of the Festival!

Printmaking- Original works in a variety of categories such as etching, engraving, dry point, linoleum cuts and other relief forms, silk-scree, lithography, monoprints, woodcut, and wood engraving, as well as other forms of printmaking

Sculpture - Original three-dimensional sculptures encompassing all styles and genres. These works display an amazing range of artistic expression!

Paint the Town - Using the plein air technique, these fresh, rapid works capture the beauty of Marblehead scenes and weather with a unique charm. These works are unlike anything created within the walls of a studio.

Digital Art - This new exhibit is home to original two-dimensional artworks in a variety of digital techniques that are not represented in other Festival exhibit categories. Works are created and produced using technology and a direct result of the artist’s work.

Senior Art - An exhibit of original work comprising crafts, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, digital art, printmaking, and sculpture by persons 65 yeats of age and older. Creativity knows no boundaries!

The artwork is selected by various expert judges with knowledge in their field of judging. Awards are distributed in each exhibit category. Visitors are also invited to vote for their favorite work in each exhibit! Most work displayed is available for sale.

This years Awards will be presented to all art exhibit winners on July 1st at 6PM on the grounds of Abbott Hall!

THE LOGO STORE
When: July 3-5, 10AM-4PM
Location: Market Square

The Festival of Arts Logo Store features products such as shirts, hats, wine glasses, and other memorabilia with the 2021 Festival logo.

NEW items this year include beach towels and coffee mugs!

ARTISANS MARKETPLACE
When: July 3, 10AM-5PM and July 4, 10AM-4PM
Location: Upper Grounds of Abbot Hall and the gardens of the Jeremiah Lee Mansion, both on Washington Street in Marblehead.

This year, the Marblehead Festival of Arts is thrilled to present the 22nd annual Artisans’ Marketplace! This impressive event showcases artists from all around New England including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Some of these unique creations include jewelry, glass, painting, photography, tapestries, baskets, found object arts, wearable art, candles and ceramics You won’t want to miss these talented artists!


WHATS HAPPENING FOR KIDS

Sand Sculpting by the Seashore:
When: Sunday, July 4th 10:30AM - 1PM
Location: Devereux Beach

• Registration and sculpture creation 9AM - 11AM; Judging 11AM to Noon
• All are welcome to bring buckets, shovels, and creativity to this cherished, free Festival family event. Sign up early at the Festival’s registration table at Devereux Beach and begin creating the sand sculpture of your dreams! Judging and Awards Ceremony will culminate the competition. The Festival extends its thanks to the amazing Neck Run Cafe for providing delicious treats for Sand Sculpture participants!

Arts on the Avenue, a kids event:
When: Monday, July 5th 10AM-4PM
Location: TBD

• Paint your own pottery with Hestia Creations! At this lovely new event for the 2021 Festival, Children can choose from a selection of sea creatures to paint at the Hestia outdoor tables. A terrific chance to engage your inner artist and end up with a “seaworthy” prize. Painting open from 10 to 4, but register online to secure your spot! First come, first served! We will announce when pieces have been glazed, fired and ready to be picked up.
• Experience beach glass creations with EOS Designs Studio! Learn how to wire wrap your favorite beach treasure with wire into a pendant. Participants will learn a simple wire wrapping technique and will be provided with all materials to make a necklace and use of tools. This program is suitable for kids ages 7 and up, although some younger children may be able to work with a parent's help. Students may choose from glass and shells provided or they may bring their own shell or sea glass treasure as long as it is at least 1.5 inches long and 1 inch wide.

Both of these events are free to the public, but REGISTRATION is REQUIRED in advance. Masks are also required for kids.