Wild Knoll
Image by Greta Rybus
Surf Point Foundation invests in visual artists and those who amplify their work through a diverse, inclusive and accessible residency program on the coast of York, Maine. Our mission realizes the vision of our founders, the late arts patron Mary-Leigh Smart and artist Beverly Hallam.
The Foundation has reached a difficult decision, and we want our neighbors, the town of York, and those in the broader arts, cultural and historic preservation communities to understand the circumstances and reasoning behind it.
Over the last four years, the Foundation has invested in preserving and renovating “Surf Point,” built and lived in by Mary-Leigh and Beverly for nearly 50 years. This 6,000sf home, transformed into a cultural facility, now offers four live-work spaces to artists and arts professionals for three-week-long sessions year-round.
We have been guided by a commitment to honor the spirit of our founders, who contributed their home, land, art and legacy to Surf Point, and who wanted to build a retreat for artistic creation and connection with nature.
Integrated with the Foundation’s mission, our conservation easement, managed by the York Land Trust, ensures a minimal human footprint on our 47 acres of land.
A second building, known as “Wild Knoll,” also sits on the Foundation’s property. Esteemed writer and poet May Sarton rented, lived and worked at Wild Knoll from 1973-1995. When the Foundation assumed ownership of the building in 2017, it found the building in disrepair, and invested significant time and resources to determine the feasibility and cost of renovations.
Among the many obstacles: mitigation of hazardous materials; replacement and updating of windows, siding, insulation, electrical, HVAC, and septic systems; structural repairs; and reconfiguration for safety, accessibility and privacy.
The cost of such a renovation - combined with the continuing costs of maintaining, managing and programming the building - far exceed the Foundation’s capacity, which has one staff person and a commitment to its primary mission to serve artists and art professionals through the residency program. The Foundation is not equipped to raise the significant sums needed for such an undertaking. We must be organizationally, financially, and ecologically sustainable in order to fulfill the mission envisioned by our founders.
Given all of these factors, the Foundation board made the decision to take the building down, with no proposed future use for the site.
This decision was difficult, knowing that both historic preservation and the life and work of May Sarton are important to the Foundation and members of the community.
We are committed to continuing conversations about our mission and common interests with one and all, including organizations such as the York Land Trust, Old York Historical Society, the York Historic District Commission, Maine Preservation, the York Community Services Association, the George Marshall Store Gallery, and with town residents.
We value our role as a participant in the cultural community, and hope we have provided context for our decision.
Sincerely,
Executive Director Yael Reinharz and the Surf Point Foundation Board