Gene Arnould, owner of the Arnould Gallery & Framery, 111 Washington Street, Marblehead, will once again work his magic as auctioneer. One of Marblehead's favorite (adopted) sons, Gene was born and raised in rural northern Illinois, received a B.A. from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, and a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Harvard Divinity School in 1972 and 1974 concentrating on Theology and the Arts. During his stint at Harvard, Arnould moved to Marblehead where he was on staff of the Old North Church as Minister to Youth and Education from 1971 to 1975. During those years, Gene fell hopelessly in love with Marblehead and everything about it - its wonderful winding streets, its history, the Harbor, and especially its people. “Not only the natives whose family connections go back to its beginnings, but those transplanted residents like myself who feel at home here and want to help make it a better place,” adds Arnould.
After more graduate work in theatre at Indiana University in 1975, Gene Arnould quickly saw the error of his ways, and returned to Marblehead in 1976. He opened Arnould Gallery in 1978 and has been at that post ever since, representing many local and regional artists as well as artists from across the country and framing a range of treasures from Picasso's to local kids' masterpieces. His experience with the Marblehead Festival of Arts began that first summer in Marblehead and grew after opening the gallery. He has been involved with the Festival in some way every year since, and has volunteered to be an auctioneer every year that he remembers since 1979. He served briefly on the Board of Directors and on various committees, as well.
Arnould's love of jazz led him to found Marblehead Summer Jazz with a couple of friends in 1985. This year will mark Summer Jazz’s 22nd season. “I'm very proud of the truly internationally renowned jazz players we have brought to Marblehead in those 22 years. Week after week many of them are playing the major clubs in New York City or Jazz Festivals around the world and many are among the 'Best' in both critics and readers polls done annually by Downbeat, Jazz Times, and Jazziz Magazines,” reports Arnould.
Still hopelessly enamored with Marblehead, Arnould offers, “This town is one of the great treasures of the world and I feel fortunate to have a home here. The Marblehead Festival of Arts is one of its great treasures and I, likewise, feel fortunate to have a place among its many volunteers and supporters.” |
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