Driving down Green Street near the Transfer Station, you might never guess that an oasis of art and spirit is hiding behind a small house nearby: Marblehead Sculpture Gallery and Gardens is a tranquil, green space featuring 25 stained-glass sculptures, flowering arches, stone pathways, a small waterfall, musical instruments, art supplies, and more.
The public can experience it for free.
“The world is a lot more stressful right now,” says owner and artist Ellen Epstein. “People come for all kinds of reasons. They need a break, they can’t relax at home, and sometimes they bring their kids.”
the current Photo by Lee Brander
Epstein, a former social worker, opened the garden several years ago and has welcomed clients and friends there since. For the past three years, she has opened the garden to the public, where visitors can reserve the space for an hour to view the stained-glass pieces, which Epstein calls “beacons of light,” create their own art or music, or just sit quietly.
There are also bubble wands, different colored glasses (for different perspectives) and a little house that doubles as a gift shop.
Epstein says her stained glass windows are filled with a special energy.
“Sculpture is art in itself, but I believe it becomes something more because of the way it’s made,” she said. “Sculpture radiates and shares love.”
Epstein said he was “guided” to create the piece by a spiritual voice he came to call God.
“Their goal is to bring love,” Epstein explained. “It’s all about love. It’s all about helping people and myself find out who we are.”
One picture in the yard features a large, colorful sign with the word “Joy” on it, and Epstein has a similar poster on his truck.
“The idea is to remind people that joy is a possibility,” she said, “to pause their thinking for a moment and create change.”
Katherine Schoenfarber said she often visits Epstein’s garden gallery “to relax, release tension and connect with nature and the infinite space that nourishes our well-being.”
“It’s one of the few places where I can open up my nervous system and enjoy freedom through my senses,” added Shawn Farber, owner of Spirit Wellness Institute, a massage school in Salem.
Schonfarber also uses the garden as a work retreat, and Epstein rents out the space to local businesses and nonprofits for meetings and events.
She also sells stained-glass pieces and takes orders. The gardens are open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Reservations are required at marbleheadscuptures.com.
Editor Lee Brander is an experienced television, radio and print journalist.
