7 Carnes Lane, Jay Critchley’s “Just Visiting for the Weekend,” by David W. Dunlap (2009).
Jay Critchley, by David W. Dunlap (2009).
Quiet Carnes Lane is home to the indomitable, inimitable, irrepressible Jay Critchley — artist, political activist, civic advocate, and all-around sui generic figure. His works have included imaginatively stinging rebukes to gentrification and commodification. His devotion to Provincetown is evident in the annual Harbor Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla benefit, which has raised over $3 million for health and social services since 1988. He bought this property in 1978. In 1997, he turned an old cesspool in the yard into the Septic Summer Rental, complete with a bed, nightstand, and TV, as a commentary on the living conditions facing artists and old-time residents as real estate values escalated. The yard also includes one of his best-known works: the sand-encrusted station wagon (bottom) that he parked in the MacMillan Wharf lot and titled Just Visiting for the Weekend.
7 Carnes Lane, looking straight up from the cesspool, by David W. Dunlap (2009).
More than 2,000 buildings and vessels are searchable on buildingprovincetown.com. The Building Provincetown book is available for purchase ($20) at Town Hall, Office of the Town Clerk, 260 Commercial Street, Provincetown 02657.
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