Artist creates gardens in former home of famous writer
Carly Glovinski, an artist, embarked on a unique project stemming from her experience at the nonprofit artist residency Surf Point. During her residency in 2021, she encountered the remains of an old house foundation on the property, which piqued her interest. The house, known as Wild Knoll, was once inhabited by writer May Sarton, who penned her thoughts on writing, gardening, and hosting artist friends in her 1977 book, “The House By the Sea.” Despite the house being demolished in 2020, the foundation exuded a strong presence that captivated Glovinski.
Upon noticing the stark concrete slab where the house formerly stood, Glovinski was inspired to reimagine the space as a garden. Eager to revive the location as a refuge for artists, she proposed the idea of transforming the house’s footprint into a garden sanctuary. Despite lacking a green thumb in the past, Glovinski wholeheartedly embraced the challenge of creating a living art exhibit in place of the vanished dwelling. She meticulously nurtured the plants, referring to them as her “living work,” with Wild Knoll becoming a muse for new artistic endeavors.
One of Glovinski’s notable creations, a massive flower mural titled “Almanac,” adorns the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Each bloom meticulously represents a distinct botanical specimen, showcasing Glovinski’s artistic precision and profound connection to nature. Subsequently, she installed “Opelske,” a three-story glass mosaic featuring vibrant flora, commissioned by the developer Pembroke at the Seaport West office building in Boston. This ambitious project marked her foray into blending live greenery with art, further intertwining her roles as an artist and gardener.
Despite her success in the art world, Glovinski maintains a full-time occupation as a tech marketer. Her studio, situated in a South Berwick mill building, serves as a sanctuary for her creative pursuits, embodying a chaotic yet intimate space where her artistic vision thrives. Grounded in her upbringing, Glovinski attributes her resourcefulness and craftiness to her parents, who instilled a deep appreciation for construction and creativity.
Through her artwork at Wild Knoll, Glovinski sought to foster an eco-friendly and enchanting environment. Adhering to sustainable practices, she meticulously curated a diverse array of plants resilient to harsh conditions, each carefully chosen to thrive in the garden. Transforming the former rooms of the house into vibrant gardens filled with an assortment of colorful blooms, Glovinski imbued Sarton’s home with new life through her distinctive artistic approach.
Reflecting on what May Sarton would think of her floral reinterpretation of the house, Glovinski speculates that, while Sarton might critique the flowers, the concept of a flower-adorned sanctuary would likely resonate positively with the late writer. Glovinski’s advice for aspiring artists underscores the importance of persistence and dedication, encouraging them to trust the creative process and embrace growth through continuous artistic exploration.