Festival of Cods & Whales
Committee: Cynda Rohmer (Chair), Anne Tassel, Amy Goldfarb, Barbara McKinley, Deb Herman,
Ellen Garvey, Ellen Harrington, Ilise Ratner, Laura Krivin, Pam Haley, Dave Hostetter,
and Patti O’Hare Williams.
Each year, local sponsor artists in Marblehead surrounding areas to create incredible works of art in the shape of Marblehead's famous Golden Cod and Whales—a nod to the town's rich nautical history. These incredible pieces are featured at a First Look Party at Abbot Hall, where you are invited to see the entire collection and pick your favorites, before they are featured in the windows of local sponsoring shops, businesses, and restaurants leading up to the Marblehead Festival of Arts. Then, they swim back over to Abbot Hall, where they are auctioned off to lucky bidders who give these memorable works a home.
First Look Party
One of Marblehead's premiere parties every year, the Cod & Whale First Look party is an exciting evening where the Marblehead Festival of Arts invites the town to come and see the newly created Festival Cods and Whales, each designed by a local artist, which are auctioned off to lucky bidders.
Each Cod and Whale is a one-of-a-kind work of art that reflects the intersection of a vibrant, modern artistic spirit in Marblehead today and the rich landscape, vistas, and history of this place we call home.
Be one of the lucky to get a first-hand look of the entire 2025 collection before they take their places in the windows of shops across town! RSVP now, space is limited at this one-of-a-kind yearly event.
A cash bar with wine and beer will be available at the event!
Cod and Whale Auction
Coming Soon!
Sponsors and Donors
We have been very fortunate to have skilled artists in their own right at Ware Pond Woodworks, Redd’s Pond Boatworks, Flat Rock Creative, and Gilbert & Cole Co who volunteer their time and resources so our participating artisans to apply their artistic talents!
Donating Partners
Cod & Whale Sponsors
