Art, Music, Community Bloom at Swampscott’s Garden Art Walk

The Deeses’ home on Lewis Road was opened up to friends and neighbors on Saturday as a part of Swampscott’s annual Garden Art Walk. Around ten people sat in Allison and Rupert Desses’ living room to listen to Rupert play old-time American music, surrounded by art by several local artists.

“We participated last year and it was just fun so we wanted to come back and see what’s new this year,” said Paula Garland, a Swampscott native, now living in Marblehead, who spent the afternoon walking around Swampscott and visiting different gardens.

Participating gardens were indicated with provided signs that welcomed people and showed where the garden was located || Solange Jain

The Swampscott Garden walk took place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and provided attendees with the opportunity to engage in self-guided tours of participating residents’ gardens as well as musical performances and open studios. The event included 64 “points of interest,” ranging from front yard gardens to organized children’s activities.

Agatha Morrell opened up her garden which she said acts as a haven for birds, bees and butterflies. Hers, as well as several other’s gardens, has contributed to the growth and preservation of local wildlife in Swampscott. Other gardens showcased a wide range of flowers, such as hydrangeas, peonies and geraniums, in addition to vegetables and even beehives and bird baths.

Olesea Fiodorova, a painter and a member of the Swampscott Arts Association, set up shop in the Deeses’ dining room, working on a painting while guests viewed her work for sale.

Olesea Fiodorova works on a new painting while her finished paintings sit on display in front of her, waiting to be bought || Solange Jain

“I always want to do something,” said Fiodorova, “anything that I hear that something happens somewhere, I want to do that.”

Fiodorova owns a studio in Marblehead called Olesea’s Art Studio, and she has taught art for over 20 years. While passing through the dining room, many guests stopped to watch Fiodorova paint and speak with her.

The Deeses’ house had bowls with snacks and games for children as well, making it a center for community gathering and an opportunity for people to listen to music, see art and connect with other Swampscott residents.

A basket with plant stickers, seashells, and other trinkets sits in front of a home with a sign encouraging people to take things to add to their own gardens || Solange Jain

Other participants, however, chose just to display their front garden, placing a sign outside to indicate their participation in the event and some even leaving out little goodies for passersby to take for their own gardens.

“I cherish the relationship between plant and gardener,” said Gregory Mastroianni in his directory biography as he described his colorful perennial garden.

Gardens line both the front and back of homes, allowing people to engage with the property as they take a tour of the plants and flowers || Solange Jain

For many gardeners, the walk served as an opportunity for them to share their recreation with the town and tell a story with their gardens.

Nancy Shultz showed off her rain garden, named the “Save King’s Beach Rain Garden.” According to Schultz, a rain garden absorbs 30% more downspout water than grass, slowing the runoff that contributes to pollution on Kings Beach when it rains. Schultz’s garden consists of all native plants, helping the local insect population thrive.

“Even a small rain garden helps considerably to clean the beaches,” says Schultz, encouraging others to take part in a “doable for anyone” project to contribute to keeping the town beaches clean.