The Marblehead Festival of Arts, a cherished tradition since 1962, is gearing up for its 2024 celebration, with nearly 1,000 pieces submitted by local artists from Essex County. The heart of the Festival lies in its half-dozen art exhibits spread across iconic venues in Marblehead, each showcasing different mediums and themes.
“We’ve carefully curated the exhibits to ensure that each venue has something unique to offer,” Marblehead resident Meghan Perlow told the Current. “Whether you’re interested in traditional painting, cutting-edge digital art, or thought-provoking sculpture, there’s something for everyone at this year’s Festival.”
Abbot Hall will feature painting, printmaking, and crafts exhibits, while the Old Town House will be home to the photography exhibit. St. Michael’s Church will showcase sculpture, mixed media and digital art exhibits, and the Unitarian Universalist Church will host the drawing, international and senior art exhibits. The youth & student exhibit, featuring over 200 pieces from local schools and individual submissions, will be housed at the Old North Church. The King Hooper Mansion will be the venue for the Painting the Town exhibit, highlighting Marblehead’s iconic landscapes and landmarks.
“Attendees will see their favorite Marblehead spots highlighted by our incredible group of artists,” Perlow said, emphasizing the Festival’s commitment to celebrating the town’s unique character and charm.
The selection and judging process is rigorous, with two distinct dates for artists: the submission deadline and the art drop-off date. Judges, experienced in their respective mediums, evaluate all pieces in person to ensure a fair and comprehensive assessment.
“It really starts as a slow build, careful planning and a layout of the schedule,” Perlow said. “Now that we’re in the middle of art drop off, judging, and exhibit planning — it becomes more of a full-time job. Seeing all the art come in makes all the hard work worth it. I love how excited our local artists are to share their pieces with the community.”
The Festival’s commitment to local talent is evident in the submission process, which is limited to artists within Essex County. This focus on regional artists fosters a strong sense of community and pride in the area’s creative talents.
“It really shows the incredible sense of community in Marblehead,” Perlow added. “This is my first year being so closely involved with the Festival, and the passion and dedication I’ve seen from fellow volunteers — many who have been doing this for over 40 years — is inspiring.”
Organizing the exhibits is not without its challenges, however.
“The hardest challenge is saying ‘no’ to last-minute art submissions,” Perlow said. “But seeing volunteers encourage new and less-confident artists is truly wonderful.”
For those interested in purchasing artwork, the Festival provides an online portal, marbleheadfestival.org/artist-exhibits, accessible during the event.
“While it’s exciting to win an award, it’s just as exciting for our artists to know someone loved their piece so much they had to take it home,” Perlow shares.
In addition to the exhibits, the Festival will also feature a range of interactive activities and demonstrations, allowing attendees to engage with the artists and learn more about their creative processes.
“By offering workshops, demonstrations, and artist talks, we hope to inspire and educate the community about the incredible talent we have right here in Marblehead,” Perlow said.
For people looking to contribute to this community event, volunteer opportunities are available at marbleheadfestival.org/volunteer.
“It’s a super easy way to get involved with the Festival and learn more about it,” Perlow said.
