On the evening of Tuesday May 21, more than 150 past and present colleagues, studio neighbors, supporters, friends and other admirers gathered at The Umbrella for a celebration of Jerry Wedge's 12 years at the helm growing our vibrant arts center.

Members of the Board, Advisory Council, Staff and Studio Artists intermingled over delicious food by Saltbox and beverages from West Concord Wine and Liquor and The Cheese Shop served in the Gallery and the side courtyard.

On June 30, 2024, Jerry Wedge will step down as Executive Director, following a 12-year tenure, as well as a nearly 20 year presence as an architect and painter in the vibrant studio artists community.

On Saturday May 11, 2024, The Umbrella Arts Education Program and The Umbrella Ceramics Studio will host a fun pre-Mothers Day celebration here at 40 Stow Street!

From 11AM-5PM, find a perfect gift at our Community Ceramics Sale, then tour the Allie Kussin Gallery to be inspired by some truly stunning artwork by accomplished ceramic artists.

And from 2PM-4PM, those with little ones are invited to join our instructor-led Free Family Day Drop-In activity making Mothers Day-themed crafts.

The Full Monty director Leigh Barrett is a beloved Boston based actor, singer & director, having recieved two Independent Reviewers of New England (I.R.N.E) awards, three Elliot Norton Awards for Outstanding Actor, as well as the 2018 Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence.

Dr. Linda Booth Sweeney is a systems educator, author and advocate for healthier human systems. She is internationally recognized for her efforts to make systems thinking accessible to diverse audiences, including students, educators, policymakers, and business leaders. She has made significant contributions to promoting the use of metaphors like the bathtub model to enhance public comprehension of critical issues such as climate change.

On Sunday, March 24, 10:00am - 4:00pm, The Umbrella Ceramics Studio is proud to present a special full-day workshop with internationally renowned ceramic artist Li Hongwei, in association with Pucker Gallery at 240 Newbury Street in Boston, which will host the exhiibtion Li Hongwei: Master of Innovation from March 23-May 5, 2024.

We were able to speak with volunteers and long-time Umbrella patrons Mary and Jim O'Connell about what drew them to The Umbrella and their experience ushering throughout the years.

Tell us a little about yourselves.

As part of our "Month of Thanks" series, The Umbrella was pleased to “Take 5” with Jenna Lozano, a college intern working with our Marketing Team while wrapping up her degree at the School of the MFA at Tufts University. Jenna is contributing her design, social media and accessibility skills to The Umbrella this semester.

Tell us about your background and interests for your studies and thesis at Tufts.