Housed in the historic Emerson School building in the heart of the Concord Center Cultural District, The Umbrella Community Arts Center has, for decades, been a buzzing creative hub for the town. This September, following a complete renovation and expansion of the center, The Umbrella reopens as a contemporary arts complex that expands capacity for artists, students, performers, and audiences throughout Greater Boston and the Metro West region. Highlights of the new programming include:
Art is everywhere in Concord, West Concord, and the surrounding areas. Whatever your medium of choice - watercolors, ceramics, photography, or sculpture - the area’s talented artists and remarkable galleries invite you to explore the world of fine art. Autumn brings some of the most important exhibits of the year. Seasoned collectors, as well as those who may be new to the art world, can rely on these galleries to guide them in the right direction.
Many people visiting Concord Center for its historical, cultural, and shopping attractions may not be aware of its little sister on the other side of Route 2, West Concord. Fairly recently, buildings on this side of town were falling into disrepair and there was little to tempt a curious traveler. When I encouraged an old friend of my mother’s to join us at a music festival, she remarked, “In West Concord? In my day, we only ventured over there on Sunday afternoons, for charitable work.”
