Acrylic Cods

Item Description

Title & Artist:  "Marblehead Forever" – by Holly Aloha Jaynes. Words to song are on back of cod!

Medium & Size:  Acrylic paint with varnish on wood.  21 7/8" L x 8 5/8" H x 3/4" D.  For indoor display only.

Artist Statement:  The cod is the embodiment of Marblehead. I painted Marblehead buildings on my cod because I adore the architecture of Marblehead and its rich history. Abbot Hall is quintessential Marblehead, housing its prized "Spirit of 76" painting by Archibald Willard of Ohio, symbolizing the spirit of the American Revolution. Willard’s father was the central drummer. The model for the young drummer was Henry K. Devereux, son of General Devereux, native of Marblehead, living in Ohio. General Devereux purchased the painting and, together with Archibald, hung it in Marblehead in 1880.

The Old Town Hall was built in 1727; originally the upper level was the town hall and the lower level was a market. Beautiful Crocker Park, with its magnificent flag pole and ever-wavering flag, overlooks the harbor to Marblehead Light, another structure that delights me. The brick Powder House, with its unique circular structure and spiral-roofed peak, was used to store muskets and ammunition. It is one of only three pre-Revolutionary powder houses in the country still standing. I have always been fascinated by the fishing shanties. Outside were lobster traps, buoys, and usually a dory. These shacks are an important part of Marblehead’s past.

Tucked into a small section of the cod is the home of Arlene and Steve Willard on Orne Street. This home, built in the early 1700s, has been in the North, Briggs, and Willard families since 1796. On the first floor of the side building was a cottage industry, cutting leather for baby shoes. They also rolled cigars for sale. In the back they made lobster traps and gear. On the second floor was a bedroom. These were removed in the 1930s. An addition was added in 1984.

Artist Biography:  Holly graduated from the Vesper George School of Art in Boston and worked as an art director in advertising for many years before changing the course of her life. She has a BFA in Painting and Photography from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and a master’s degree in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University.

Holly has been an arts teacher, expressive therapist, and workshop leader using the arts for healing, recovery, and celebration across the lifespan. She is the photographer for the book The Dames: Honoring the Good Women of Farrell Court, Powder House Court and Roads School, Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945. Holly started painting Marblehead buildings and the town’s surroundings when she moved to the town 20 years ago. The first building she painted was the King Hooper Mansion, home of the Marblehead Arts Association. Holly offers painting and drawing classes for all ages.

Hosting Business:  "Marblehead Forever" is on display at National Grand Bank, 91 Pleasant St., Marblehead, MA. On July 1, this cod will be moved to Abbot Hall, 188 Washington St., Marblehead, MA.

Item Special Note

Winning bidder will receive a notification email with information on pick-up time and location.

If winning bidder requires shipping, winner's credit card will be charged a separate $24.95 fee to cover USPS ground and handling. Shipping is available within the U.S. only and must be requested within 7 days after receipt of the notification email.

Any cod purchased via "Buy Now" will remain on display at the hosting business through the end of the auction, and will be available for pick-up as detailed in the winning bidder notification email.

If winning bidder has not picked up cod (or provided shipping address) within 30 days after the close of the auction, cod will become the property of Marblehead Festival of Arts, Inc.

Click here to see the other decorated cods up for bid in our Fifty Cods for Fifty Festivals online auction!

To learn more about the Marblehead Festival of Arts, visit www.marbleheadfestival.org.
To make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.marbleheadfestival.org/donations.