By Molly Cohen 

Open the door to the theater at The Umbrella Annex and you’ll see a stage, center view. Expand your focus, and you’ll see the crew scattered around the black box theater, reading lines and trying on outfits.

Maureen Festa, costume designer, reaches into a blue IKEA bag full of denim jackets. She pulls one out, has a crew member try it on – it fits him perfectly on the first try. “I’m going to turn it into a vest and rip off the sleeves,” Festa thinks aloud…

Hello everyone! My name is Erin and I’m super excited to be starting as a Visual Arts Intern at The Umbrella. A little bit about me, I recently graduated from Keene State College in New Hampshire with a Studio Arts degree and a minor in Art History. The program I was in was very rewarding. The faculty was more than helpful during my four years and never failed to challenge their students. My favorite courses at Keene were definitely the ones that allowed me to have hands on time in the studio. Although, I would have to say my all time favorite was printmaking.

Hi, my name is Blair Coulter, and I am a recent graduate of Westfield State University with a degree in Communication and a minor in Creative writing, which means I can at least write a nice-looking Christmas Card. 

She makes her entrance like a star dying to be born – goose-stepping through the audience with the arrogant aplomb of Marlene Dietrich and Jim Morrison; decked out like a trailer-park tart’s idea of a glam-rock fox, in stone-washed denim, an Aryan-yellow, blow-dried mane and red-glitter lipstick; accompanied by the refried-Queen strains of "America the Beautiful" and marvelously surly introduction by her crusty Serbian valet boy toy Yitzhak: "Ladies and gentlemen, whether you like it or not – Hedwig!"

Save the Date!

On March 26, 2019, the creative community will come together for Creativity Connects: MASSCreative Arts Advocacy Day to show our state political leaders that arts and creativity should be an expected, recognized, and valued part of everyday life.

A new article in the Concord Patch news by writer Pam Ellertson gives a wonderful account of teacher Rita Roy's approach to 

We're pleased to share this wonderful article about quilting and fiber arts at The Umbrella by writer Christine Diaz recently published in the Concord Patch news. 

The feature shares an inside look at artist Tica de Moor's approach to teaching advanced concepts and techniques in using color for quilt art.

The Umbrella Arts Education and Arts & Environment Programs are delighted to preview the digital Winter Arts Classes Brochure listing new courses scheduled for the Winter 2019 session.

Early course registration opens online starting Nov. 28, 10:00 AM at TheUmbrellaArts.org.

Concord, MA - November 27, 2018 - Please consider participating in this year’s international #GivingTuesday with a tax-deductible gift to The Umbrella Community Arts Center!

Beginning at 8am on Tuesday, November 27, all gifts made via our  #GivingTuesday Facebook Fundraiser will be matched by PayPal – up to $7 million – and all fees waived! 

Written by Priyadersini Eramath-Murali

It has been two weeks since The Umbrella Community Arts Center welcomed its artists back to a newly renovated building with renovated modern studios. The project was made possible by generous donations from the community and other well-wishers. I took the pleasure of visiting two artists at their new studios to talk to them about their first impressions. Read on and see for yourself at this weekend's Winter Market November 30 - December 2!