written by Monica Chen

There are very few bonds as strong as the bond between a mother and daughter.

Debbie and Caroline Canally are great examples of just how true that statement is.

The duo began volunteering together at The Umbrella roughly eight years ago. Throughout the years, their roles at the center have changed. Debbie and Caroline have done everything from ushering at theater productions to manning concession stands, setting up classrooms, assisting a woodworking class, and working in the gardens.

written by Molly Cohen

An advocate for the arts, Marian has been volunteering at Umbrella Arts since the 2015 Winter Market. She enjoys volunteering because she likes making a difference in her community and giving others the chance to experience art.

“It is so important. Everybody deserves that opportunity…I’ve been around art my whole life. To not have that would be devastating,” she says.

The Ceramics Program Manager and Classroom Coordinator (CPM+CC) is responsible for the overall operations of the ceramics program and the daily maintenance of other education classrooms.

Set in historic Concord, Massachusetts the Umbrella Community Arts Center is partnering with Alcott Elementary School to provide afterschool enrichment for 12, 1st grade students in the 2017-2018 school year.  The Umbrella is seeking a creative and talented early childhood teacher for an interdisciplinary arts-based afterschool program.  This unique teaching opportunity will use the visual arts to engage 1st grade students in the process of learning and enhance in-school academics through strong tie-ins with the Concord Public School’s curriculum standards in Science for Grade 1.  

We’re excited to announce our fourth Artist-in-Residence, Elizabeth King!

Elizabeth King graduated in 2017 from RISD with her MFA in painting. In 2011, she received her BFA in painting from Boston University. She makes paintings that showcase her interests: ranging from printmaking to textiles. Growing up in Massachusetts, her tropical paintings rely primarily on imagination. Elizabeth hopes to draw inspiration from an oasis closer to home during her time with The Umbrella

Written by Monica Chen

Once a week, Rachel Zou comes in and serves as a teaching assistant, setting up materials, making sure the kids are set up with everything they need for the class or party, and keeping the atmosphere fun and engaging for the students and teachers alike.

It brings us a sigh of sadness to announce that Caitlyn Marsh will be leaving her employment at The Umbrella for another professional opportunity.  Her new venture will also regrettably prevent her from continuing as a valued member of our ceramics teaching faculty.  While this is a double loss for the Education Department, as with all things that change and evolve it is not without some equal measure of good news too.  This is of course a great opportunity for Caitlyn and we hope a huge next step in her career. 

By Wendy Seadia                                           

Arlington resident Shayna Loeffler is a highly creative person. Trained as an industrial designer with a degree from New York’s renown Pratt Institute, she brings her many talents & abilities to the Umbrella. With her extensive background in product development, graphics, advertising, mechanical engineering and marketing, Shayna worked with her late husband building a design business in Arlington that lasted for twenty-eight years.

by Jenn Houle

“We must look a long time before we can see.” - Thoreau

In honor of Henry David Thoreau’s 200th birthday this exhibit encourages a slowing of the viewer’s experience of the natural world. What can we learn from looking and how long does it take us to see? As a species we can now exist without stepping foot in the woods. But what happens when we do?