Art Talk Series
The Umbrella Visual Arts Program, in collaboration with The Umbrella Arts Education Program, is pleased to present the Umbrella Art Talk Series, featuring presentations from working artists, arts educators, and art curators from our wide creative community. Except where noted, most talks are free and open to the public without RSVP. Select educator and partner events may require RSVP or registration fees, so please see individual program details.
March 24, 2024, 10AM
Workshop: Li Hongwei: Exploring Contemporary Sculpture and Ceramics
In a full-day workshop, celebrated sculptor and ceramic artist discusses his breadth of work, recent series of crystalline glazed ceramic and stainless steel sculptures, and hand-built ceramic self portraiture and installation. The program combines lecture, slides, demonstration, and Q&A, concurrent with an exhibition of his works at The Pucker Gallery in Boston, running from March 23rd to May 19th.
May 18, 2024, 11:30AM
Workshop: Open to New Technology: 3D Printing in Clay!
Featured in this spring's juried ceramics show, Earthworks: Tradition, Influence, Innovation, Ellen Shön is Adjunct Professor in Fine Arts and Ceramics Studio Supervisor at Lesley University College of Art and Design in Cambridge, MA, where she has taught ceramics and 3-D courses since 2002. In this lecture, we will be examining the process of 3D printing, viewing slides and examples of Ellen’s work, and discussing how this process has elevated and expanded her creative process. There will be a live demonstration of 3D clay printing at the end of the event.
PREVIOUS ART TALKS
February 8, 2024, 6PM
Artist Talk: Catherine Le Comte
The Umbrella Winter Artist-in-Residence Catherine LeComte discusses her planned residency work in the Black Box Theater. LeComte is a Boston-based visual artist who explores familial relationships, motherhood, and personal experiences through photography, mixed media, and installation. Advocating for greater visibility of artwork centered around motherhood and created by mother artists is a central passion for her that she plans to center during her residency.
November 2, 2023, 4PM
Artist Talk: Kyle Johns
The Umbrella Ceramics Artist-in-Residence Kyle Johns discusses his work in the Black Box Theater. Using the traditionally rigid process of mold making found at the core of industrial production, Kyle deconstructs and reassembles plaster mold positives to explore new ways of creating one-off slip cast objects. Kyle’s talk will journey through the different stages of his development as an artist, from his early days as a wheel throwing potter to his current work. And, don't miss his workshnop, "A New Approach; Slip Casting, Modular Molds, and Layering Color," on Sunday Nov. 5!
Saturday, October 22, 2022 5-6:30PM
Sally Lee Artist Talk
Talk and Reception for the 2021-2022 Umbrella Artist in Residence exhibition, “Are We Home Yet?”
Sunday, November 6, 2022 1-3PM
"Bizen Revisited" Panel Discussion
The Umbrella is honored to host, famed ceramic artists Isezaki Koichiro, son of Isezaki Jun, Jeff Shapiro and Tim Rowan for panel discussion and community conversation about their work and careers, and the tradition of Bizen pottery. The panel culminates in a visit to nearby Lucy Lacoste Gallery for the concurrent "Bizen Revisited" show, also featuring Kakurezaki Ryuichi and Isezaki Koichiro. Workshop registration & fee required.
Saturday, November 12, 2022 10AM-4PM
Sgraffito and the Narrative Surface
Director of the Harvard Ceramics Program, Kathy King, will demonstrate the lively and popular technique of sgraffito and help participants try this distinctive technique themselves. All levels welcome. Workshop registration & fee required.
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 4-5PM
Ponnapa Prakkamakul Artist Talk
Meet our new 2022-2023 Umbrella Artist in Residence and learn about her plans to engage the Concord community in her art process this year. This talk will have an ASL interpreter and will be recorded and broadcast later by Minuteman Media.
Sunday, December 11, 2022 4-6pm
Jessica Straus, Juror Talk and Reception
Meet the juror for Lost and Found, the fascinating found objects artwork group exhibition on view through December 30 in our Main Gallery.
Friday, February 3, 2023 4-5PM
Katie Bosley Sabin Artist Talk
Join us for an artist talk with our first ever Ceramics Artist in Residence! Learn more about Katie's background, her career as an artist and educator, and her plans for her residency at The Umbrella. Her slides will take us through the development of her personal style and skill set over the years. She will share her inspirations and the process used to create her unique and precisely crafted architectural vessels.
Thursday, April 13, 2023 4PM
Artist Talk: “Is that a poem I Hear?”
Umbrella Studio Artist Max Payne shares the connection she makes between the visual and the word in her work in an artist talk in the Dance Studio.
October 19, 2023, 4PM
Artist Talk: Re-remembering of Things Past
Umbrella Artist-in-Residence Jasmine Chen discusses her past work and her project of six paintings inspired by her residency at The Umbrella, in an artist talk in the Black Box Theater
Sunday, October 16, 2023 11-11:45AM
Art Ramble, Curator Talk & Tour with Stephanie Marlin-Curiel
Tour this year's site-specific, climate change-themed exhibition in Hapgood Wright Town Forest, Fairyland Pond
