Every Monday morning, Jason Rogers practices law. But on Monday nights, Jason became an oil painter, then a prize winner. More importantly, he became a better lawyer.

Thanks to oil classes led at by instructor Lois Andersen, Rogers' work "3 Eggs in a Nest" was awarded the highest honor at The Umbrella's 2025 Summer Student Showcase. In the wake of this honor, Rogers reflected on how his artistic journey has been a key component of his personal and professional development during the spring semester (read on below).

This is Education Program Manager Rebecca Campbell-McGonagle's fifth year helming The Umbrella Arts Center's summer camp! In light of this milestone and our largest-ever class of campers this summer (nearly 700 by the time the program concludes in August!), we “took 5” during this bustling summer to learn more about what makes summer at The Umbrella such a special place for our young artists.

TUA: What do campers enjoy most about their experience at The Umbrella's Arts Center?

Let’s celebrate PRIDE all month long at The Umbrella. Join us at 40 Stow Street for the following events:

On Saturday, June 7, 2025:

•    Join us at 9:30 AM to create a flag or sign to carry down mainstreet in the Pride Parade.

•     At 10:30 AM, we’re proud to be the starting point for the Concord Pride Parade.

Our Umbrella Studio Artists and Teaching Artists are busy creating and exhibiting work in galleries, museums, and other venues all around New England and beyond! Just a few to watch out for this season include:

Catherine LeComte Lecce
5th Annual Juried Alumni Exhibition: Fish Don’t Sleep at MassArt x SoWa
August 30 - October 19, 2025
MassArt x SoWa Gallery, Boston, MA

Ilyse Robbins is an Elliot Norton Award-winning Director and Choreographer who will be returning to The Umbrella this month with our new musical production, The Spitfire Grill. Robbins also directed and choreographed last season's rock musical, LIZZIE. 

Ilyse “took 5” with us during a busy holiday and rehearsal weekend to share her enthusiasm about the new show, which opens in previews April 25 and runs through May 18.

The Umbrella Arts Center has partnered with Concord 250 and Concord DEI to present the world premiere of new documentary about the history of slavery in the region surrounding Concord, an international co-production by Kogainon Films (USA) and GTVdocs (UK).

The documentary reveals a long-suppressed secret, set in Concord, Massachusetts—the birthplace of the American Revolution, where the first shots were fired on April 19, 1775.

Article by Rebecca Cook

This spring The Umbrella is offering a slate of six woodworking workshops that emphasize creativity and provide an opportunity to develop skills for participants of all levels of experience. Class sizes are small – between three to six students maximum – allowing plenty of time for individual instruction and observation.

April 19, 2025 in Concord will mark the 250th anniversary of the battle at the Old North Bridge and the "shot heard round the world" on the first day of fighting in the Revolutionary War. Commemorations of the semiquincentennial abound along Battle Road and throughout the Commonwealth, from parades and balls to fireworks and historical re-enactments, and The Umbrella has been proud to work with local partners to plan a robust series of programs that reflect expanded perspectives on history through a lens of the arts.

Where We Belong Lighting Designer Ben Rush took a moment to share the behind-the-scenes magic of lighting the New England premiere – including his “magic sheet” that encapsulates the working elements of the black box theater’s lights.

Rush’s design does not simply illuminate the set designed by Baron E. Pugh; it paints and transforms its surfaces and contours with changing colors, textures, and contrast in order to support the play’s moving story.