Terry Del Percio-Piemonte, Lily Pond
In 1885 Mason Walton came to Cape Ann hoping to find fresh air to treat his tuberculosis. The future “Hermit of Gloucester” arrived with only fruit and a tent. He set up camp among the pine trees and called it Bond Hill (it is now known as Bond Street).
Later, he asked permission to build a cabin in the same area, where he would live for many years to come, documenting the habits of various animals and writing about the flora and fauna of the area. As a matter of fact, Mason wound up writing many articles for a magazine that later became known as Field and Stream. This information was found in the book Magnolia: A Brief History, written by Lisa Peek Ramos.
So what does all this history have to do with Cape Ann Artisans?
David Piemonte, Cressy’s Light
Bond Street Studio was also built on Bond Hill, 125 years after Mason Walton set up his cabin there. Fine Art Photographer David Piemonte and his wife Terry Del Percio-Piemonte built their own ‘cabin’, a.k.a. Bond Street Studio after several years of only dreaming about it.
Bond Street Studio acts as a gallery for David, who creates black and white traditional silver gelatin prints. Obviously, David has a separate darkroom to develop and print his photographs, but the studio is a wonderful place to display his elegant prints, which are powerful in their simplicity. Terry works on her eclectic paintings and mixed media collages in the studio and displays her work during the Open Studio Tours, which occur both in June and October.
Bond Street Studio has become a sanctuary for both of them. Just as Bond Hill changed Mason Walton’s world-view, so has it changed the life of these two artists. They see life from a different perspective now, both literally and figuratively. The studio is situated high on Bond Hill, which looks out over the rooftops towards the Annisquam River. Just like Mason Walton was intrigued with the animals and vegetation, a visitor might see several wild turkeys, deer and a wonderful variety of birds among the statuesque trees.
Everyone is invited to visit. Make note of the dates for 2014 and visit Cape Ann Artisans’ website at capeannartisans.com. Open studios will be held on June 21 & 22 and October 11, 12 & 13. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily. Other than the Open Studio Tours, we welcome visitors to Bond Street Studio at all times of the year by appointment or chance.
