Art Exhibits
The Festival exhibits are open to artists who reside, work, or belong to an art association in Essex County, Massachusetts. In juried exhibits, the artwork has been selected by judges with expertise and knowledge in their fields of judging. Awards will be distributed in each exhibit category on July 30th 6pm at the Upper Grounds of Abbot Hall.
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We invited eligible artists to enter their original artwork in one or more exhibit categories described below.
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Youth and Student Art is open to Marblehead residents in public or private schools or art studio classes and nonresidents attending school or art studio classes in Marblehead.
Exhibit Locations
The Festival is back in full force, with exhibits located in 6 different venues.
Abbot Hall, The Old Town House, St. Michael’s Church, Old North Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, and King Hooper Mansion (MAA) are all hosting an exhibit.
See below for more information about each exhibit
Painting
Exhibit Location: Abbot Hall - 188 Washington St
Open Hours:
July 1st 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 2nd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 3rd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 4th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Painting is a juried exhibit of original paintings in oil, acrylic, ink or watercolor.
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To contact the co-chairs of this exhibit:
Dawn Jenkins & Maggie Smist
painting@marbleheadfestival.org
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Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award; Special Award: Edward D. Carey Award
Exhibit Location: Abbot Hall - 188 Washington St
Open Hours:
July 1st 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 2nd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 3rd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 4th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Description: A juried exhibit of original prints in a variety of categories, such as etching, engraving, dry point, linoleum cuts, and other relief forms, silk-screen, lithography, monoprints, woodcut and wood engraving, and other forms of printmaking. All plates, screens or blocks must be the direct result of the artist’s work. Submissions must be dry, framed or canvas-wrapped, wired and ready to hang (sawtooth hanger & clip frames not accepted). Size may not exceed 3’6” in any direction, including frame.
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To contact the co-chairs of this exhibit:
Dawn Jenkins & Maggie Smist Printmaking@marbleheadfestival.org
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Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Works ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Printmaking
Photography
![Rick_Cloran_Pemaquid_Dawn_w4001[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0af6c6_638a317db1954e52bee0cd9398361e34~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_67,y_0,w_267,h_267/fill/w_206,h_206,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Rick_Cloran_Pemaquid_Dawn_w4001%5B1%5D.jpg)
Exhibit Location: Old Town House, One Market Square
Open Hours:
July 1st 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 2nd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 3rd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 4th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Photography is a juried exhibit of original photography created within the past three (3) years, in black-and-white or color.
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To contact the co-chairs of this exhibit:
Stephen Limon photography@marbleheadfestival.org
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Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Awards; Special Awards: Samuel Chamberlain Award, Photojournalism Award
Mixed Media
Exhibit Location: St. Michael’s Church - 26 Pleasant Street
Open Hours:
July 1st 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 2nd 12:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 3rd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 4th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Mixed media is a juried exhibit of original artwork in two or more media in a single composition, using media such as paint, collage, drawing, image transfer, assemblage, papier-mache’, textiles, wax, and found objectives. Pieces may be displayed as two-or three-dimensional surfaces. A
To contact the chair of this exhibit:
Ted Tobey mixedmedia@marbleheadfestival.org
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Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award, Special Award: Don Howard Award
Sculpture
![100702_JK_005_w4001[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0af6c6_e120587b230948239dd4f0d8af0b8d37~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_11,y_0,w_378,h_378/fill/w_206,h_206,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/100702_JK_005_w4001%5B1%5D.jpg)
Exhibit Location: St. Michael’s Church - 26 Pleasant Street
Open Hours:
July 1st 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 2nd 12:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 3rd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 4th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Sculpture is a juried exhibit of original three-dimensional sculptures encompassing all styles and genres. All works must be an appropriate size for display indoors.
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To contact the co-chairs of this exhibit:
Vera Mourad & Lisa Fowler sculpture@marbleheadfestival.org
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Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award; Special Award: Beverly Seamans Award
Digital Art
Exhibit Location: St. Michael’s Church - 26 Pleasant Street
Open Hours:
July 1st 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 2nd 12:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 3rd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 4th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Description: A small-scale juried exhibit of original two-dimensional artwork in a variety of digital techniques that are not represented in other Festival exhibit categories. Work must be created and produced using digital technology. All graphics must be the direct result of the artist's work. Submissions must be framed and glassed or canvas-wrapped include a wire (wire & clip frames excluded) and be ready to hang. Size may not exceed 3'6" in any direction including frame. Art that requires electricity for viewing cannot be accepted.
To contact the chair of this exhibit:
Ted Tobey digitalart@marbleheadfestival.org
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Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Youth & Student
Exhibit Location: Old North Church
Open Hours:
July 1st 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 2nd 12:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 3rd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 4th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Youth & Student is a non-juried exhibits of original artwork comprising crafts, digital art, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture by Youth (preschool through Grade 4) and Students (Grades 5 -12).
To contact the chair of this exhibit:
Gail Gilbert gbgilbert@comcast.net
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Student Art Awards: Best of Show, Outstanding Work, Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award
Awards for Youth Art: Ribbons for each entry and $50 for Best of Show and $25 for Outstanding Work
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Sponsored by Abbot Public Library
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Special Awards: Debra and Jack Highberger Award; Nordia Kay Award
Painting The Town
Painting The Town
Drop-off & Exhibit Location: Marblehead Arts Association-
King Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper Street
Registration and payment: pre-register and pay on-line
DATE: Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25, 2023
Number of Entries: One (1)
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Description: Plein air painters in Essex County are invited to join in Painting the Town – a two-day event
culminating in a judged exhibit. On Saturday, June 24th and Sunday, June 25th artists proceed directly to their selected painting locations in town and paint scenes en plein air. Artists frame their works and submit them to the Festival at the MAA on Tuesday, June 27th between 8 a.m. and 5p.m. (note paintings cannot be returned to MAA on the 24th or 25th due to private events at the MAA and MAA is closed on Monday, June 26) Artists awards will be announced at the Abbot Hall awards ceremony on Friday evening June 30th. The exhibit will continue at the MAA through the July member show.
To contact the co-chairs of the exhibit:
Jean Guastaferri and Peggy Farrell
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Awards: Best of Show: $125, Outstanding Work: $50, Honorable Mention, People's Choice Award
Crafts
Exhibit Location: Abbot Hall - 188 Washington St
Open Hours:
July 1st 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 2nd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 3rd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 4th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Craft is a juried exhibit of original handcrafts, traditional or contemporary in nature, that are both useful and decorative, such as calligraphy, quilts, textiles, furniture, jewelry, pottery and stained glass.
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To contact the co-chairs of this exhibit:
DeAnna Putnam & Shannon Haley
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Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People's Choice Award, Carol Moore Award, Deb Frost Memorial Award ($100)
Drawings
Exhibit Location: Unitarian Universalist Church - 28 Mugford Street
Open Hours:
July 1st 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 2nd 12:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 3rd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 4th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Drawing is a juried exhibit of original drawings in pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, conte’ crayon, pastel, and other media.
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To contact the chair of this exhibit:
Barbara Naeser
drawing@marbleheadfestival.org
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Awards:Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award;
Special Award: Lee R. Smith Award
Senior Art
Exhibit Location: Unitarian Universalist Church - 28 Mugford Street
Open Hours:
July 1st 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 2nd 12:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 3rd 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 4th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Senior Art is a non-juried exhibit of original artwork comprising crafts, digital art, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture by persons 65 years of age or older.
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To contact the chairs of this exhibit:
seniorart@marbleheadfestival.org
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Awards: Best of Show ($125), Outstanding Work ($50), Honorable Mention, People’s Choice Award, Special Awards: Louise Remick Brown Award; Bob and Ruth Sinclair Award
Literary Festival
Exhibit Location: Unitarian Universalist Church - 28 Mugford Street
Open Hours:
July 1st 12:00 am - 4:00 pm
July 2nd 1:00 am - 4:00 pm
July 3rd 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
July 4th 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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The Marblehead Festival of Arts’ popular Literary Festival, known originally as Writers World, returns this year after a brief coronavirus hiatus. Returning with it is the always-popular writing contest, along with a full slate of speakers, panels, and workshops of interest to writers and readers alike.
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To contact the chairs of this exhibit:
Kimberly Grad kgrad@noblenet.org
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Awards: First prize in each adult category: $100, ribbon and certificate, and a 1/4 page black and white ad in The Current to be donated to a local non-profit of your choice. First prize in each student category: $50*, first-prize ribbon, certificate, and Abbot Public Library swag.
Second Prize and Honorable Mention,
*Sponsored by Marblehead Current and Abbot Public Library
GENERAL INFORMATION
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Accepted work will be exhibited July 1 – July 4, 2023, and may not be removed before 4:00 pm on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. No exceptions will be made.
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Non-Accepted work can be picked-up: Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
* We will hold any non-accepted artwork until the end of the Festival, pick-up on July 4th, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
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Accepted and non-accepted work picked-up: Tuesday, July 4, 2023, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Exhibit locations, or on Wednesday, July 5th artwork can be picked-up at Exhibit locations from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
Artwork not picked up within 60 days after the close of the Festival shall become the property of the Marblehead Festival of Arts, Inc.
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Awards Ceremony: Friday, June 30, 2023 @ 6:00 – 8:00 pm - Abbot Hall, Upper Grounds
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Liability: Artwork will be openly displayed in buildings, in areas open to the public. It is recommended that all artists insure their own works for the duration of the exhibition. The Marblehead Festival of Arts, Inc. (MFoA) is not responsible in any way for the loss, damage, disappearance, or harm of any kind to the works of art. Delivery of the works to MFoA constitutes an express waiver, release, and discharge of all claims, actions, or causes of action against the harm of any kind to the works of art.
Sales: The Marblehead Festival of Arts, Inc. will receive a 30% commission on any sales. All work for sale must be sold as displayed and may not be removed by the purchaser before the close of the Festival at 4PM Tuesday, July 4, 2023.