MARBLEHEAD — Marblehead Neck won't be bullied, not even by threatening hurricanes.
That was the attitude as artist Dick Buckley mounted his annual "Evolutions Art Exhibit" this past weekend at Marblehead Neck, on a lawn in sight of the ocean. It featured a dozen artists and several musical performers, including 13 year-old singer/songwriter Hayley Reardon, just back from dickering with music publishers in Nashville and preparing to launch her latest CD.
And that age is no typo, by the way. The girl, whose song "Standing Together" has become an anthem against bullying heard worldwide, is entering the eighth grade at the Marblehead Veterans Memorial Middle School.
In the face of all this art, Hurricane Earl meekly backed away and Buckley enjoyed glorious weather on both Saturday and Sunday, drawing more than 2,000 people, with about a dozen artists selling paintings, photographs, sculptures and crafts.
"I'm hearing everyone sold yesterday and they're selling today," said Buckley, a retired advertising art director.
In fact, he temporarily ran short of the red dots used to designate a sold item.
Buckley spoke in his cottage — he rents from the owner of the house that fronts the property. His studio is crammed with his paintings and exquisitely lit photographs, mostly faces, arresting and provoking. But inevitably he wanted to talk of Reardon, who played her guitar and sang just outside to an appreciative audience.
Her anti-bullying song, "She's Falling," is dedicated to Phoebe Prince, the Irish immigrant teen who killed herself after falling victim to school bullies in South Hadley. Reardon's lyrics on bullying have attracted responses "from as far away as New Zealand," said Buckley.
Moreover, Hayley's musical maturity, notwithstanding the braces on her teeth, has left fellow performers in awe.
"You're hearing all her own lyrics," Buckley explained. "All her own music. She does it all. ... It's about her life. People she knows. Things she feels." The performers at the "Evolutions" exhibit donate their time. Hayley comes, he added, because she finds the venue especially appealing.
Her efforts might be described as folk songs and that suits Buckley, who tried Dixeland and rock last year, but has since decided it's too loud. Hayley's voice is gentler, often touching.
Dad Peter Reardon stood nearby listening as well. He's at a loss to explain his daughter's musical talent — neither parent stressed music. Then, two years ago, Hayley picked up a guitar and never put it down. "It became a passion," he said. "She started writing songs within weeks."
It's the writing that she really loves. The young singer pauses trying to describe why. "Writing is how I can explain. ... It's my way of getting away from everything."
She's already determined to make a career of it. And don't bother telling her how tough that can be. "Everybody warns me about that," she said. "I'm a very cautious person. But for this I know what I want to do."
Near the entrance to the exhibit Salem artist Sara Ashodian offered her sculptures and applauded the event. "It's a beautiful setting. With wonderful people," she said.
"I came yesterday," added Janet Sheehan of Marblehead. Some of the artwork proved irresistible. "I had to go home and get my checkbook and come back today."
"I think you've got a wonderful diversity of artists," declared Jim Harshbarger, who lives on the Neck.
Nearby, a smiling Hayley Reardon was promising to sing for as long as people wanted to listen.
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