written by Meghan Murray, The Umbrella's 2016-2017 Artist-in-Residence

In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, I thought I would focus March’s blog post on a few women artists.

by Rebecca Cook

When passion meets purpose, it’s a beautiful thing.

Sunny Tang is a senior at Concord-Carlisle High School who discovered her affinity for volunteer work early. The school requires students to perform 40 hours of community service before they graduate. Sunny burned through those 40 hours by the end of her freshman year. As a sophomore, she looked around for a place where she could combine her dedication to service with her love of art, and found The Umbrella.

Description:

The Umbrella Community Arts Center is seeking a talented and creative teacher for our adult ceramics program. The right candidate should be able to facilitate an established group of committed students who operate at an advanced skill level. The instructor should be able to supplement a strong wheel based course, with hand-building elements and cone10 glaze instruction.

written by Rebecca Cook

Oh, the irony. An artist labors to make their work ready to send out into the world – for an art show or a website – only to realize an entirely new art form is required first. Photography. The art of capturing the art.

written by 2015-2016 Artist-in-Residence, Meghan Murray

Motivation comes to us in many forms. Perhaps it’s a goal that motivates us (“I’d really like to finish these five paintings for that exhibition coming up!”)

Perhaps motivation comes in a talk with a good friend, or a great presentation like the ArtTalks here at the Umbrella.

-written by 2016-2017 Artist-in-Residence, Meghan Murray

In a historical moment of American history, many of us have been rudely awakened to a tendency of hatred in our country. I suppose I have lived in a bubble that envelopes educated and liberal communities, and was blissfully ignorant to the feelings of much of the nation. I am very lucky – I was born white, into the upper middle class in New England, and was provided a fantastic education. My life will be largely unaffected over the next few years, but that is not true for many Americans.

I have now lived in Concord for three weeks, and I am still overwhelmed by many things. Firstly, the sheer beauty of this very warm and colorful October. I have made a habit of walking to the Sleepy Hollow Burial Ground, up on the hill over Monument Square, to sit and read amongst the falling yellow leaves and the weathered tombstones. I look forward to strolling onto Main Street when the snow falls, and I imagine the stillness that I have come to associate with New England winter.

By Jerry Wedge

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news on the loss of a committed advocate, trusted board member, loyal and cherished friend this week. Kathy Reticker, we have been honored to know you and work with you. Your presence here and in our community will be greatly missed. Our love goes out to your entire family during this time of sorrow. May you rest in peace.