The Swampscott Garden Art Walk is under new leadership this year, with a renewed focus on creativity and community connection.
Swampscott Recreation is stepping in to lead the Garden Art Walk, building on the success of past years organized by ReachArts. The event, which will take place on June 28, is free to the public.
“Swampscott Recreation is honored to take on the responsibility of hosting the annual Garden Art Walk this year,” said Assistant Town Clerk Michael Brison. “ReachArts created the Garden Art Walk and ran it with much success. Our mission is to build on ReachArts’ legacy by continuing this enriching, community-centered event.”
To register a garden or art, visit SwampscottRec.com.
““My garden is tiny, but I just love it when people stop to say hello and say thank you for making our neighborhood happy,” said past garden registrant Jennifer Shire. “That brings me pleasure.”
The overall event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., but there is a cascading schedule with tow hours of self-guided activities in three neighborhoods around Swampscott.
The kick-off at 11 a.m. will be in the Yellow Primrose Neighborhood at the Swampscott Senior Center. Attendees will be able to view artwork by Opening Minds Through Art and make friendship bracelets with the METCO program. Water and snacks will be provided by Whole Foods.
Event goers will be able to visit Claire Donnelly’s studio and create a collaborative activity. The Swampscott Historical Society will also be showing off the gardens at the John Humphrey House, with music by Brison.
The Lilac Neighborhood will be open for visitors from noon to 2 p.m. Several gardens will be accessible on Monument and Forest Avenues; Walker, Grant, Farragut, Thomas, Elmwood, and Aspen Roads; Reid Terrace; and Lexington Circle.
In this neighborhood, Tonia Bandrowicz will give out information on the Swampscott Conservancy at her Bay View Drive garden. S.U.R.E. Diversity will also host a “tell us your story” activity, where residents will be invited to share short stories about their ancestors. Tony Gallo will be playing contemporary music.
Lastly, from 1 to 3 p.m. residents can visit the Beach Roses Neighborhood. Ruth Rooks, the president of the Swampscott Art Association (SAA), will host SAA members in her garden with music from Marc Maccini. On Ocean Avenue, Peter Ciccariello will host a visual and poetic art experience. Rupert Deese will perform in his Lewis Road garden, and Nathan Fontes-Fried will use colorful scrap wood to turn trash into sea creatures on Orchard Road.
Throughout the three neighborhoods. Several regional artists will set up easels along the rocky coast and hold plein air demonstrations.
The neighborhood with the “most spirit” will receive $100 worth of pizza from Tony Lena’s to be used at a later date.
For a $10 donation, attendees will receive a full event map and entry into the door prize drawing. Donations can be made online at SwampscottRec.com. Proceeds from the event will go toward the continuation to next year’s Garden Art Walk, according to Brison.
Prizes up for grabs will include:
- One night stay at Hawthorne Hotel, valued at $320
- $100 gift certificate to G Bar and Kitchen
- Artistic handbags made from repurposed newspapers from Couture Planet, valued at $88
- Four hours of plein air painting lessons including materials with Lisa Boemer
- 28-inch blackstone griddle from Lowe’s, valued at $249
- Gift certificate for a massage or custom facial at Swampscott Massage Spa, valued at $110
- One overnight stay for a single dog with Deb Newman Pet Care and Services, valued at $100
- Garden statue from Bay View Arts, valued at $65
- “The Pier at Fisherman’s Beach” pastel painting from Annette Sykes Plein Air Painting, valued at $300
- Studio session and 11×14 print from Photography by Corinna, valued at $545
- $30 gift certificate to Pomona Cafe
- Fresh bouquet of dahlias from Fleur de Mer, valued at $0
- Gift set of 25 art cards from Opening Minds Through Art, valued at $20
- Gift set of 12 note cards from the Swampscott Historical Society, valued at $20
Two complimentary shuttle buses will loop throughout town. Both vans will take the same route for the first hour from 11 a.m. to noon, with stops at 200 Essex St., the commuter rail, the Swampscott Public Library, 40 Monument Ave., Eastman Avenue, and Paradise Road.
From noon to 1 p.m., noth vans will loop through the Yellow Primrose and Lilac Neighborhoods. Stops include 200 Essex St., the commuter rail, the Clarke School, the Swampscott Public Library, Monument Avenue, Phillips Park, the Stanley School, First Avenue and Lexington Circle.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the buses will take separate routes through all three neighborhoods. The first van will stop at 200 Essex St., the commuter rail, the Swampscott Public Library, Puritan Road, Longley Avenue, Atlantic Avenue and Beach Bluff Avenue. The second van will go to 200 Essex St., the commuter rail, 174 Humphrey St., 531 Humphrey St., Puritan Lane, Blodgett Avenue and Ocean Avenue.
“Swampscott’s Annual Garden Art Walk celebrates the rich diversity of artists, gardens, businesses, and neighbors across our magnificent seaside town – a beautiful blend of self-guided garden walks, open studios, and exciting enrichment activities,” Brison said.
