Art

Marblehead musicians help Symphony by the Sea celebrate 45 years
29 Oct

Marblehead musicians help Symphony by the Sea celebrate 45 years

Marielle SabbagArt, Culture, Entertainment, Top Stories
Symphony by the Sea may have moved its performances from Marblehead to Beverly, but the orchestra's hometown ties remain strong. As it celebrates its 45th anniversary season, three Marblehead musicians are helping bring its music to life. Flutist Carolyn Colby, violinist Sheila Vitale and singer and conductor Matthew Arnold are among the local talents contributing to the orchestra's 2026-27 season, which opens Nov. 8 at The Cabot in Beverly. Founded in 1981 by a small group of musicians, Symphony by the Sea has grown into…
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From Marblehead’s shores to Nordstrom: Local mom turns beach treasures into jewelry
28 Oct

From Marblehead’s shores to Nordstrom: Local mom turns beach treasures into jewelry

Marielle SabbagArt, Top Stories
What began as family outings collecting seashells along the shore has blossomed into a jewelry business for Marblehead resident Mikaila Howie, whose handcrafted creations are now sold on Nordstrom's website. Mikaila Howie creates handcrafted jewelry inspired by treasures collected along the shores of Marblehead and South Florida. COURTESY PHOTOS Howie, 37, has combined her background in fashion with her love of the ocean to launch The Lobster’s Daughter, a jewelry brand inspired by the colors, shapes and treasures of the sea. “I believe art is…
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CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up
27 Oct

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh BlanderAbbot Public Library, Art, Entertainment, Top Stories
Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email the Current at info@marbleheadnews.org. Trick-or-treat in the business districtsThursday, Oct. 29, 4-6 p.m. Grab your costumes and treat bags — the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses invite families to trick-or-treat through Marblehead’s business districts. Stop by participating shops for Halloween treats and festive fun. Pumpkin IlluminationThursday, Oct. 29, 4-6:30 p.m. The Marblehead Family Fund presents its 18th annual Pumpkin Illumination at the Jeremiah Lee Mansion garden.…
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Your art could become the face of the 2027 Arts Festival
26 Oct

Your art could become the face of the 2027 Arts Festival

Leigh BlanderArt, Local News
Every year, a local artist creates the logo that becomes the face of the Marblehead Festival of Arts, appearing on everything from T-shirts and signs to promotional materials. Now, the festival is looking for its next winning design. The festival is inviting artists who live, work, attend school or belong to an arts association in Essex County to enter its 2027 logo contest. The competition is a tradition dating back to the festival's founding, with a new, one-of-a-kind design selected each year. "The 2027 Festival…
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Haunting hobby: Local architect to reveal latest Halloween creation
21 Oct

Haunting hobby: Local architect to reveal latest Halloween creation

Luca TedescoArt, Culture, Top Stories
Every October, Tom Saltsman transforms his Pleasant Street driveway and garage into something extraordinary. From a 20-foot-tall Egyptian snake goddess to a massive grunting gorilla and a spooky forest troll, Saltsman's larger-than-life Halloween creations have become legendary across the North Shore and beyond. Still a mystery: Tom Saltsman has a tarp over this year’s Halloween installation, which will be unveiled right before Oct. 31. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER Part art installation, part architectural marvel, each elaborate production draws crowds eager to see what the…
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CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up
21 Oct

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh BlanderArt, Business, Entertainment, Top Stories
Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email the Current at info@marbleheadnews.org. Not-so-scary Halloween partyFriday, Oct. 23, 4-6 p.m. Marblehead Parenting is hosting its annual not-so-scary Halloween party for little ones. Enjoy Halloween crafts, snacks and plenty of festive fun. Costumes are encouraged. The party will be held at 40 Tioga Way, Suite 350. Mahjong at the MansionFriday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m. Mahjong gets a historic backdrop when the tiles come out at the Jeremiah…
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NEWS IN BRIEF: Town administrator search, Vets Town Hall, new playground
19 Oct

NEWS IN BRIEF: Town administrator search, Vets Town Hall, new playground

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Culture, Entertainment, Local News, News in brief
The Current accepts News in Brief submissions of 150-200 words at info@marbleheadnews.org. Town administrator search About 15 people applied for Marblehead’s town administrator position, according to Select Board member and Screening Committee Chair Erin Noonan. In addition to Noonan, Police Chief Dennis King, Finance Committee Chair Molly Teets, Select Board member Jim Zisson and former Select Board member Jim Nye sit on the Screening Committee. Noonan told the Current that after several interviews late last week and early this week, “we will make the decision…
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JCC marks 32 years of Jewish Book Month with seven author events
15 Oct

JCC marks 32 years of Jewish Book Month with seven author events

Leigh BlanderArt, Culture, Education, Local News, Nonprofit corner
The Jewish Community Center of the North Shore in Marblehead will mark the 32nd year of its Jewish Book Month Speaker Series this fall with seven author events exploring everything from thrillers and true crime to Jewish history, baking and children’s literature. The series runs Oct. 21 through Nov. 19, with most events taking place at the JCCNS, 4 Community Road. “At a time when Jewish authors and voices are facing unprecedented levels of bias and exclusion, it is so important for us to stand…
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CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up
13 Oct

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Culture, Entertainment, Top Stories
Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email the Current at info@marbleheadnews.org.  Harmonies at Me&TheeFriday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m. Get ready for some serious harmonizing. Windborne brings its distinctive blend of traditional folk music and vocal harmony to Me&Thee Music. The acclaimed ensemble digs deep into musical traditions while giving old songs a fresh, contemporary sound. For information and tickets, visit meandthee.org. Fall fun by the beachSaturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-noon Pumpkins, paint and a…
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Jazz series brings big talent to an intimate Marblehead stage
12 Oct

Jazz series brings big talent to an intimate Marblehead stage

Marielle SabbagArt, Culture, Entertainment, Top Stories
Once a month, the ballroom of Marblehead’s historic Hooper Mansion becomes an intimate jazz club, bringing acclaimed musicians and local audiences together just a few feet apart. Jazz at the Arts has been filling the room with music since 2018, drawing performers with résumés that include the Boston Pops, Berklee College of Music and performances alongside some of jazz’s biggest names. Behind it all is producer Gene Arnould, owner of the Arnould Gallery and Framery, whose connection to Marblehead’s jazz scene goes back decades.  Dave…
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