The Wellfleet Farmers Market is delighted to showcase two original paintings by talented local artists Antonia DaSilva (left) and Grace Emmett (right).
Each artist was invited to create a piece that celebrates the beauty of the natural world while capturing the vibrant spirit of our farmers market. Their unique works bring color, creativity and a deeper connection to the community spaces we share.
This installation is part of an exciting public art project curated by Jake Puffer, a local shellfisherman, community member and friend of the Wellfleet Farmers Market. We are deeply grateful for his dedication to supporting local artists and helping beautify our beloved town.
Be sure to explore the other installations by local artists throughout Wellfleet, including those at Preservation Hall and Abiyoyo.
the installation
Stay a Moment by Antonia DaSilva
There is some debate about whether common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a native species. A layperson’s internet search tells us that the plant frequently seen blooming along roadsides throughout the summer and fall is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. However, the plant was introduced to North America by early European settlers. This begs the question: at what point do we consider a plant native?
Interaction with humans is one way that plants make their way around our planet. Is that any less natural than the seed dispersal that happens through birds and other wildlife? Should it be more controlled? It’s not always bad, but neither is it always good.
The situation with Achillea millefolium is complex. The plant is aggressive, making some consider it an invasive, and there are native and non-native varieties. But regardless, this asteraceae is long blooming and attractive to pollinators that may need a roadside stop. In the garden, it provides season-long color and plays host to ladybugs, bees, and a wide array of butterflies that rest in the sun atop the flower’s flat head.
BIO
Antonia DaSilva is a multi-media artist whose work has been shown throughout the Cape and Western Massachusetts as well as in North Carolina. DaSilva holds a BA in Studio Art from Smith College. DaSilva lives, writes, illustrates, makes, and grows things in Truro, MA.
Farm Hand by Grace Emmet
My deep love for the natural landscape was in part sparked by learning how to connect to the earth through food and foraging. While food brings us closer to place, it also brings us closer to each other. Through this piece, I really wanted to celebrate the people behind the local food movement of the Outer Cape that make it possible to build a stronger, more sustainable community.
Grace Emmet is an eco-artist, writer, naturalist, and the Curator of Community Education at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum. Her place-based art practice is dependent on an intimate relationship with the land informed by her foraging and natural ink making process. She holds her BFA in Illustration from Massachusetts College of Art and Design and her work has been shown in galleries, museums, and universities across the Northeast and can currently be found at Frying Pan Gallery and Farm Projects. Emmet lives and works out of beautiful Wellfleet, Massachusetts.