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Captured through the lens of Steven Rood, this gallery offers an intimate look at one of Marblehead's most cherished and creative traditions: the Cods & Whales exhibit.
Held in the historic setting of Abbot Hall, the exhibit serves as a visual bridge between Marblehead's legendary maritime past and its thriving modern art community. What began in 2015 as a one-time celebration for the Marblehead Festival of Arts' 50th anniversary has evolved into an annual cornerstone event. Local woodworkers volunteer their time to hand-cut each silhouette, providing a blank wooden canvas that is then transformed by the North Shore's finest artists.
From the traditional to the avant-garde, these sculptures represent the diverse voices of Marblehead's artists. Each piece — whether an 18-inch cod or a massive 55-inch whale — tells a story of the sea, rendered in everything from classic oil paints to intricate mosaics.
Following their debut at the "First Look" party at Abbot Hall, these works of art "swim" into the storefronts of local businesses, creating a town-wide gallery before being auctioned off to support the festival's scholarships and community grants. Rood's photography documents this unique moment of community, where history and artistry meet under the roof of the town's most iconic landmark.
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