Marblehead Festival of Arts

The Marblehead Festival of Arts will host its 47th annual Arts Festival at venues around Marblehead from June 30-July4. Offering activities from morning until night, the Festival is the largest all-volunteer arts festival in the region. It is a celebration for all ages, and almost all events are free.

The North Shore favorite is home to fine arts exhibits showcasing artists from all over Essex County. Included are Crafts, Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture, as well as special exhibits featuring Youth Art, Student Art and Senior Art. The Festival also sponsors plein aire painting, known as Painting-the-Town.

Exhibits will be open Saturday through Wednesday at various locations, including Abbot Hall, Marblehead Arts Association at the King Hooper Mansion, the Old Town House, Old North Church, St. Michael's Church and Unitarian Universalist Church. Note also that on Saturday, artists will be creating the Painting-the-Town exhibit as they work in various locations throughout Marblehead.

Historic Crocker Park, overlooking Marblehead Harbor, will be the venue for Performing Arts throughout the Festival. “This year’s outdoor concert series features an eclectic mix of 19 dynamite individuals and groups with tons of talent, heart and soul,” according to chairperson Brian Wheeler. “We’ll be on stage for five nights and three days, with a packed schedule of outstanding local and regional artists.” Please note there is a rain location for Sunday evening only at the Gerry #5 on Beacon Street.

At dusk on Sunday evening, the annual Film Festival will be screened at Crocker Park, with a rain location of the Gerry #5. Twelve short films, ranging in length from 1:36 minutes to 17:28 minutes, comprise this year’s offerings. The films have been chosen to promote the unique qualities and subtleties of filmmaking as an art form. Parents should review the lineup to decide if these films are age-appropriate subject matter for their children.

Each year, a devoted group of authors, novelists, poets, essayists and journalists gathers at the Unitarian Universalist Church for the Writers’ World series of programs. Workshops, exhibits, presentations and the camaraderie of the Literary Arts Café highlight this extraordinary segment of the Festival.

Family events are a Festival highlight. Beginning Saturday morning, there will be a Kite Festival and Sand Sculpture Competition at Devereux Beach. On Sunday afternoon, the Children’s Festival will take place on the grounds of Abbot Hall. Wednesday’s events include a Model Boat Building Workshop outside Abbot Hall, followed by a regatta at Redd’s Pond. On Wednesday afternoon, the Street Festival promises entertainment for all ages on Washington Street, which will be open to foot traffic only.

The Tea Room will be housed in the cool, relaxing wine cellar of the King Hooper Mansion, where refreshments will be served. King Hooper is also the home of the Marblehead Arts Association, and guests are welcome to view their summer exhibit as well as to enjoy their 90th anniversary celebration of art in the Tea Room.

The Artisans’ Marketplace will be staged on the grounds of Abbot Hall on Saturday and Sunday. This showcase of arts and crafts will feature the work of 36 artisans from all over the region. The majority of artists are new this year; and, along with returning vendors, will feature a variety of distinctive offerings at all price levels. Some of the artists’ distinctive offerings will include many styles of intricate jewelry; hand-blown, painted and stained glass; paintings in many mediums; photography with many themes; a wide variety of ceramic and pottery pieces; well-honed wood furniture; woven baskets; beautiful candles; wide-ranging gift items; and functional and unusual wearable art and accessories.

A special treat for Artisans’ browsers and shoppers will be Dario’s Artisan Cafe – a new addition to this year’s Marketplace. Serving cold sandwiches, snacks and drinks, Dario will bring a new and delicious dimension to those around Abbot Hall on Saturday and Sunday.

Free satellite parking will be available at Marblehead High School, 2 Humphrey Street. A Festival Trolley, also free to all, will provide shuttle service between the parking lot and Festival exhibits and events. The trolley will operate on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, from 9:30 am until 5:30 pm.

The Festival will operate its own Logo Store outside Abbot Hall on Washington Street. An array of products featuring the award-winning 2012 Festival logo will be available. They include adult, child and baby T-shirts; onesies; adult, youth and baby hats; adult hoodies and crew sweatshirts; adult polo shirts; cinch bags and wine glasses. Hestia will sell its Festival ornament, and Couture Planet will offer a new wallet. Proceeds from sales of logo products help support the Festival.

All exhibits and events are detailed at www.MarbleheadFestival.org.