Driving down Green Street near the Transfer Station, you might never guess that there is an art and spiritual oasis tucked behind a small house nearby. The Marblehead Sculpture Gallery and Garden is a quiet, lush space filled with 25 stained glass sculptures, flowering arches, stone pathways, mini-waterfalls, musical instruments, art supplies and more.
And the public is welcome to experience it all for free.
“There’s a lot more stress in the world today,” said owner and artist Ellen Epstein. “People come for all different reasons; they need a respite, they can’t relax at home. Sometimes they bring their children.”
CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER
A former social worker, Epstein started the garden years ago and welcomed her clients and friends to experience it. For the last three years, she has opened it to the public. Visitors can reserve the space for one hour and explore the stained glass pieces, which Epstein calls “beacons of light,” create their own art or music, or simply sit in peace.
There are also bubble wands, varieties of colored eye glasses (to change perspectives) and a tiny house that doubles as a gift shop.
Epstein says her stained glass is filled with a special energy.
“The sculptures are art in their own right, but I also believe there is something more to them because of the way they’re created,” she said. “They emit and share love.”
Epstein says she is “guided” to create the artwork by a spiritual voice she has come to call God.
“Their goal is to bring love,” Epstein explained. “It’s all about love. All about helping people and myself learn about who we are.”
One piece in the garden is a large, colorful sign painted with the word “Joy.” Epstein has a similar poster on her truck.
“The idea is to help people remember joy is a possibility,” she said. “It breaks people’s thinking for a moment, creating a shift.”
Catheryn Schoenfarber visits Epstein’s garden gallery frequently “to relax, decompress and connect with nature and the infinite space that feeds our well-being,” she said.
“It’s one of very few places where I can allow my nervous system to be wide open and drink in freedom through all my senses,” added Schoenfarber, who owns Spirit Wellness Institute, a massage school in Salem.
Schoenfarber also uses the garden for work retreats. Epstein rents the space to several local businesses and nonprofit groups for meetings or events.
She also sells her stained glass pieces and accepts commissions. The garden is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Reservations are required at marbleheadscuptures.com.
