Manship created a firefly sanctuary in his meadow and neighboring forest. Picture walking through his field with the twinkling, flashing lights of native fireflies and it’s easy to imagine why Manship chose to call his property Starfield. Conserving this natural oasis is an important part of the Manship Artists Residency’s mission.
The Property: Starfield
The Manship estate, known as Starfield, has been given new life as an international, interdisciplinary artists residency for the benefit of the community and visitors to Cape Ann.
Paul Manship dubbed his 15-acre estate Starfield, a name that reflects Cape Ann’s former “dark place” status as a locale with few artificial lights to diminish one’s experience of the night sky. More telling perhaps, Manship also realized that the fireflies on his property preferred dark places.
The natural setting at Manship is magnificent and significant. Starfield once supplied the foundation stones to many American buildings and streets, this property has two beautiful, water-filled quarries that represent the industry and sacrifice of many immigrants. Preserving the history of the site is another important part of the Manship Artists Residency’s mission.
The buildings at Starfield also provide a noteworthy connection to the past. Created by Manship in collaboration with his friend, the architect Eric Gugler, the site has international relevance.
In Manship’s day, there were many other artists who adopted Cape Ann as their second home, such as Ceclia Beaux, Robert Henri, Walker Hancock, Stuart Davis, and Calder. Unfortunately, most of these residences are now gone or very much changed.
Starfield is a rare survival from a former time. The Manship Artists Residency is “keeping place” for the long tradition of the many visual, performing, and literary artists who have come regularly to Cape Ann looking for relief from the summer heat of the big city, for fellowship with their artist friends, and for the pleasure of participating in this unique community.
