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Art Opportinities @ Concord

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UMBRELLA ARTS

Adult, Teen, Youth, Mulitgenerational, free @ Home Activities

Until we are able to safely resume in-person arts education classes and workshops, most of our programming will be offered through The Umbrella @ Home, where we intend to offer the best possible online arts education experiences that you have come to expect.  We will be adding online arts instruction opportunities, as well as free at-home DIY creative activities and artists demos on a rolling basis, so please check back frequently or subscribe to our newsletter.

Additionally, we are now offering curbside clay purchasing and firing through The Umbrella! For more information on our curbside clay policies, go to our Ceramics @Home page!

More Information About Online Arts Education with The Umbrella @ Home

  • We have invested in setting up Google Classroom for The Umbrella.  With few exceptions, like Zoom, most art experiences will be set up in and conducted through Google Classroom.
  • We have detailed step-by-step instructions available for the initial set up to help anyone access the art education experiences.
  • We are anticipating running 2-month online semesters with classes running no more than 6 weeks.  See projected schedule below.
  • We are offering a wide variety of classes that meet regularly, workshops that meet once or twice, and art activities that can be downloaded and viewed on demand.
  • We are working to make the online art experience at The Umbrella of the highest possible quality, secure, easy, affordable and a great way to connect with the community of other artists.
  • We are working with some of your favorite teachers including: Mike Roche, Elizabeth Noonan, Becky Bearse, Renu Goyal, Lois Andersen, Kat O’Connor, Gillian Fraiser, Joy Buell, Alex Salzberg, Janet Scudder, Sarah Scoville, Alicia Herman, CC King, Sarah Bettencourt, and more.
  • For more information, check out The Umbrella @Home’s Frequently Asked Questions page.

Projected Schedule of Online Arts Education 2020-2021

  • Winter 2021 Session: January/February – Registration opens early Dec
  • Spring 2021 Session I: March/April – Registration opens early Feb
  • Spring 2021 Session II: May/June – Registration opens early April

Arts & Environment Classes

Classes will be held virtually using Zoom and Google Classroom depending on the teacher’s preference. Some classes will include 1 or 2 field trips to local Concord-area conservation land, where students will practice the skills they learn virtually. During these field trips, everyone will be required to wear a mask and appropriately social distance. Any questions about social distancing protocol can send inquiries to Caroline Provost at caroline@theumbrellaarts.org.

Concord Art ONLINE CLASSES

To learn more about how to use ZOOM go HERE

Sampling of some online classes on the schedule:

  • Approaches to the Figure
  • A New Year, A Bolder Brush
  • Ring in the New Year with Pastels: Learn to Paint Fearlessly
  • Explore Contemporary Art
  • Real Basics and Hands On Color Theory
  • Beginner ot Intermediate Drawing from Observation

Village Art Room Offerings

As we are not able to have groups at the Art Room at this time, and as the pandemic continues and cold weather sets in, we, the staff, volunteers and sponsoring businesses of Art for All, are focusing our efforts on 1) getting art supplies and activities to people in our community who are largely confined to their homes and who have few resources to engage in creative projects and venues, and 2) developing participatory, community art projects that can be seen in the windows of the stores in West Concord Village.

Find out more here about what we are doing now, and how you can participate.

Order ahead online and we will have a bag for you to pick up on the porch of You can pick up on the porch of 21 Winthrop Street. Arrange for a time to pick up using the email on the form.

Tap into your inner phoenix in 2021! Together we will rise from the ashes of an incredibly challenging year. With creative projects! Download an outline of the Phoenix to color in your own for free!

Or to come by the Art Room to pick up a Coloring Kit. Each kit has 2 coloring sheets for the Phoenix as well as a set of 4 coloring cards and a set of 12 crayons for $12, or 2 sheets, 4 coloring cards and a set of 36 colored pencils for $15. Proceeds from sales helps us bring this project to individuals and families who are financially challenged. SIGN UP HERE for a pick up time, or contact margie@villageartroom.com to arrange a time.

Making and sending greeting cards is a wonderful way to stay creative and connected during this sequestered, pandemic winter.

Make Valentines for ART for ALL’s LOVE for ALL sale in February. Original, handmade cards will be on sale at several of our local retailers in West Concord. Proceeds of sales support the ART for ALL program.

Winter Solstice Celebration

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Many Celebrations this Winter Solstice

 

Flickering firelight illuminates small hands gluing, weaving, and cutting. Are these elves in the North Pole? Nope, these are the kids and families participating in this year’s Winter Solstice Celebration!

 

You may recall last year’s blow-out Solstice at the Old Manse. Families, friends, and strangers who became friends gathered around the fire pit singing carols like “Deck the Hall” and “O Tannenbaum.”  Voices of the Earth, the Arts & Environment chorus, lit hundreds of candles handed out to the crowd. Everyone heartily drank warm cider and roasted marshmallows on the fire. This year, you can guess, is slightly different. We won’t be at the Old Manse. But we still plan to celebrate the Solstice! Instead of gathering in one spot on one day, we’re celebrating over many days.

 

Ninjas in Nature is hosting a Winter Ninja Festival to enjoy the freedom of running around outside and the satisfaction of building your own fire.

 

 

In our winter self-care workshop, gather what brings you warmth and joy during dark months and create reflective collage art before hibernating at home.

 

Finally, families can craft their own solstice ornaments at Concord Market. Glue, cut, and weave lily stem stars. Twist and tie fabric evergreen trees. Wrap cranberry wreaths to hang on the tree. Don’t forget to visit Concord Market and pick up some hot cocoa or cider to enjoy!

 

Join us around the community fire this Solstice for all these outdoor, winter workshops. To learn more about and sign up for our collection of Winter Solstice activities, visit the Arts & Environment class page. Who knows how you’ll light up this Winter Solstice!

 

Pandemic: Changes & new offerings we have embraced and liked

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We all want the Pandemic to come to an end… But what about things that have come about or were started due to the Pandemic that we don’t want to end? Here are some thoughts…

One Concord resident wrote this: “Overall, I think people are much more friendly and kind, here and elsewhere. Seems the ‘We are all in this together’ idea is bringing out best in so many.”

Living Concord followers sent us some of their favorite things:

Curbside pick-up at Concord Library

Messages on staircase leading to Nesting shop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor classrooms

Eating Lunch outside at schools

Birthday Parades

 

Small, social distance concerts at your home. Some local musicians can come to your home to perform for you and small group.

Mobile ordering @ Haute Coffee

Curbside pick-up options at so many shops & restaurants

 

Al fresco dining, more outdoor seating options

Seeing many more people walking & biking

Library lawn cafe tables and chairs set up for safe social distance small gatherings

Free parking in town

Easier commutes (b/c less traffic) or no commute

No business travel

Graduation Parades & CCHS Administration stopping by each Graduate’s home in the Graduation Celebration School Bus

Drive-in movies at CCHS, from Concord Recreation

Concord Ag Week (not just Ag Day)

Less activities has allowed for more family dinners, more free time, more game nights

Zoom calls with family & friends

Concord-Carlisle Community Chest Driveway Project

Celebratory take out dinner options offered by local businesses

Chalk messages & more messages of gratitude and kindness around town

Playing games like Kahoot or Risk with friends and family

Being in your pajamas longer and having more leisurely mornings

All the new library offerings

Special take-out dinner offerings / “celebration dinners” from local restaurants

Sidewalk sales / sidewalk displays

Outdoor town meeting (with no presentations)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Umbrella’s productions you can watch via Zoom

Summer Quest

Concord Together, Concord Solstice and Fall In Love with Concord

Paperless menus  – just scan QR code with your phone.

All the new Umbrella offerings

More options to sit around town

Go Out Doors along the Rail Trail

People seem less in a hurry, kinder.

These are just a few of the good things that we have learned, started and liked during this trying time. Thank you to all of you who have worked so hard to make these things happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Activities with the Kids

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The month of May is a great time to get out, explore nature and get creative!

Check websites for local spots like:

The Umbrella Arts   To commemorate BOTH the 30th anniversary of Musketaquid Earth Day celebrations and the 50th anniversary of International Earth Day itself, we invite you to explore the WATERtheme virtually with us this season. Via this website and social media, we will share 30 events/activities to celebrate, learn, and create with and around water. Some are things to do in your house, others involve getting outside. Dive into such activities as making a glass harmonica or a rain stick; canoeing the Sudbury River; or building and launching an Earth Float. Activities will be slowly revealed throughout the 50 days. EarthDay3050

Albright Art Supply   – offering an array of art supplies

Craft.ed – offering craft kits and ideas

Village Art Room  offering art kits and ideas

This is a great time of year to make a nature bracelet. Wrap some masking tape around your wrist, sticky side pointing out and gather up any flowers, petals, leaves you find while taking a walk or in your yard. You’ll be happily surprised how colorful your bracelet will be with all the spring flowers blooming and array of colors of the petals that you can find on the ground.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day…. How about using items you find to create a beautiful card?

Round up some glass jars in the house and make a votive or vase for your mom, using tissue paper, modpodge glue and, if you want, some flower petals for adornments.

Looking for other ideas of gifts to make?

Click here are some fabulous suggestions such  as glass magents and rock art:

How about a Photo Scavenger hunt? Use some lists (here is one form Pinterest) or create your own. Each family can have a different list or work off same one. If the weather is crummy, take it inside for silly poses or items around the house.

While you have your camera ready, look for hidden letters all around you and spell your name with photos!

Make wind streamers!

Find a stick  – check for small branches that have fallen and use that for perfect stick.

Cut up strips of fabric – use scraps or old T-shirts if you have them. Or use some grosgrain ribbon you may have floating around from a birthday. The more colorful, the better!

Check out GoExploreNature.com for more great ideas. They suggest “Wrap the strips around the stick and tie a knot. One strip is plenty to make a wind streamer, but some kids (like mine) prefer more. Add some nature bling. How about adding a feather or a leaf? The more creative, the better!
Grab your wind streamer and run like the wind!”

Be creative, have fun and enjoy the spring weather.