New England Travel

Motif No. 1 Day will draw thousands of visitors to Rockport.

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Thousands will gather around an iconic red fishing shack in Rockport this weekend.

Motif No. 1, billed as the most painted building in America, is celebrated annually during Motif No. 1 Day. This year’s free event takes place in downtown Rockport on May 16.

“It is the most frequently painted and photographed building in the United States and it’s a symbol of Rockport’s enduring connection to the arts,” said Colleen Murdock, director of community relations at the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event.

The all-day festival, expected to draw about 2,000 visitors, includes a 5K road race, food, live music, vendors, street performances, plein air painters, children’s activities, and more.

Motif No. 1 Day celebrates Rockport’s unique identity as both a historic fishing village and vibrant artist community, Murdock said.

The deep red shack with colorful lobster buoys, located on Bradley Wharf off Bearskin Neck, was originally built in 1884. In 1945, the town bought the shack from painter John Buckley, who used it as his studio. Then it was destroyed in the Blizzard of 1978 and the town built a replica that same year.

Downtown Rockport is full of charming shops, art studios, and restaurants and visitors are encouraged to explore them, Murdock said. All of the day’s events will be walkable, she said, and happening along Main Street, Dock Square, Harvey Park, and Barletta Park.

About 50 plein air painters — a highlight of the event — will set up downtown, “painting whatever sights inspire them, including Motif No. 1 itself,” Murdock said.

“There’s a focus on local,” Murdock said. “We’re trying to help highlight the Cape Ann region and the diversity of arts that our region has to offer.”

Rockport Brewing Company will set up a beer tent in Harvey Park, where there will be food trucks, local bands playing live music, and about 20 local vendors.

The area’s art galleries will demonstrate techniques in screen printing, water color painting, and painting with AI, she said.

Visitors can catch performances by the Rockport Dance Academy and Seaside Circus Cape Ann, Murdock said, and go on Motif No. 1 walking tours.

New this year is Poetry on the Green on the First Congregational Church lawn, showcasing literary work, Murdock said. The Rockport High School Vocal Pops will also perform at the church.

“We’re really trying to incorporate all forms of art,” Murdock said. “Our goal is to just encourage people to follow the art around town, to not stay in one place.”

Motif No. 1, well known to students of art and art history, was named by artist Lester Hornby in the 1930s, according to the New England Historical Society, when he was critiquing student work and used the popular term for oft-painted sites after several students had painted the shack.

When asked why people are so drawn to Motif No. 1, former town clerk Patricia Brown told Boston.com: “It’s a typical New England fishing shack. I mean, it’s the color, and it’s the light, and it’s the location right on the end of a pier with ocean in front of it and ocean behind it.”

The red structure has appeared in movies, on magazine covers, on a postage stamp, in a 1960s Winston cigarette ad, and even as a Kentucky bourbon bottle, reports the society. In 2024, the town repainted the shack using donated money.

“It is really just an iconic building that has been cherished for generations,” Murdock said.

Those taking public transportation on Saturday can ride free shuttle services from the Rockport MBTA station to downtown, Murdock said. For those driving, there is free parking at the Blue Gate parking lot and limited metered parking downtown.

Should it rain, the event will take place on May 17, Murdock said. Here is a schedule of events.

Rockport is one of eight towns remaining in the Boston.com Battle of the Beach Towns bracket. Vote for your favorite beach town here.