Concord Art Communities Collaborate for ‘East Meets West’ Event

The Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts and ArtScape at Bradford Mill have joined forces for a creative arts event, “East Meets West,” a joint show in which the communities will display each others art.

This crosstown collaboration—ostensibly the first of its kind in Concord—aims to provide more exposure for these artists to each other and to the community at-large. The show runs at both locations through Monday, March 4.

“There’s a craving for more art in the community,” said Jerry Wedge, executive director of the Emerson Umbrella. “We have our community here and ArtScape has their community in West Concord, and this is a chance to bring them together.”

For East Meets West, more than a dozen artists from ArtScape will display works at the Emerson Umbrella, located at 40 Stow St., and more than a dozen of the Emerson Umbrella’s artists will have their work on display at ArtScape, located at 43 Bradford St. in West concord.

“It’s really this cross-pollination,” said Ann Sussman, the ArtScape coordinator. “It’s for the artists, but it’s also for someone who might be interested in art and interested in being an artist.”

The works featured include paintings, collages, fiber arts, illustration, mixed media, photography and glass blowing – and there’s probably more. Pretty much all of it is on sale.

Emerson Umbrella will host the opening reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. tonight, Feb. 7.

“I think there’s a lot of excitement,” Wedge said. “A similarity with their artists and ours is that there’s just such a variety of work.”

ArtScape will host a closing reception on March 4.

“I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship,” said Sussman. “It’s a really exciting direction for Concord to be seen as such and artistic, creative center.”

Both galleries are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.