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Artists to create pop-up sculpture installation at Goldthwait beach
Artistic design team Jeremy Barnett and Jason Maracani will create their third public art pop-up sculpture installation in Marblehead on July 19 and 20 at Goldthwait Reservation Beach.
The pop-up art, designed by Marblehead native Barnett and his New York-based creative partner Maracani, uses a series of serpentine arches, coils and curves to rise over the ocean’s edge. Within a 12-hour period, a wooden sculpture over 100 feet long will be constructed on Saturday, July 19, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The artists are committed to the principle that public art should be accessible and interactive. The public is encouraged to watch the construction process and to have conversations with the artists about their work and about public art throughout the building process.
The public is invited to celebrate the completion of the work with a sunset viewing on July 19 at 8 p.m., followed by a beach-side campfire at 8:30 p.m. beneath the sculpture with roasting marshmallows provided.
The sculpture will remain in place on Sunday, July 20, and will be removed from the beach Monday morning, July 21.
In addition to their work in Marblehead, Barnett and Maracani have constructed public art throughout the American Midwest, Iceland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Thailand.
Goldthwait Reservation Beach is located on Goldthwait Road off of Atlantic Avenue in Marblehead. For more information about Barnett, visit jeremybarnett.com. For more information about Maracani, visit jasonmaracani.com. For more information about Goldthwait Reservation, visit goldthwait.org.
MMLD to restrict parking for massive switchgear deliveries
Marblehead Municipal Light Department will implement temporary parking restrictions and road closures July 16-18 as five oversized tractor-trailers deliver electrical switchgear equipment to the Village 13 substation, marking the next phase of a $10 million infrastructure upgrade project.
The new switchgear acts like a giant electrical control panel, helping the substation safely manage and distribute power to homes and businesses. Their deliveries will follow the same route used for transformer installations in June, beginning at Tedesco Country Club and proceeding down Tedesco Street to Humphrey Street, Pleasant Street and Bessom Street before entering the Rail Trail near the Marblehead Animal Shelter.
Each trailer measures 78 feet long, 14.25 feet wide and weighs 60 tons, carrying sections of what will become a 60-by-30-foot single-story metal building when assembled on site. The equipment was ordered in October 2022 and manufactured to custom MMLD specifications in Canton, Ohio.
“The switchgear deliveries will be wider loads than last summer’s transformer deliveries,” according to MMLD documents presented to the Select Board.
Marblehead resident joins Northeast Arc board
Northeast Arc, a not-for-profit organization that helps children and adults with disabilities and autism become full participants in the community, has elected Michael Christian of Marblehead to its board of directors.
Christian is the board president of Someone Else’s Child Inc., a position he has held for nearly 25 years. The foundation supports youth causes throughout the United States, Africa and Central America with areas of emphasis including education, the arts, youth living with disabilities, economic justice and collective action efforts. He is also the managing partner for Community Impact Ventures, a venture capital impact fund that provides financial support to social entrepreneurs and for-profit companies that have missions similar to that of Someone Else’s Child.
“We’ve known Northeast Arc for several years and financially supported the launch of its innovative Pathways to Opportunities program,” said Christian. “It is one of the most impactful initiatives we have supported. Everyone at Northeast Arc is dedicated to and focused on the mission. They are devoted to the people they serve, and I look forward to contributing as a board member for this outstanding organization.”
