“Painting Our Stories” just opened in the gallery portion of Reasons To Be Cheerful at 110 Commonwealth Ave. in West Concord. Part art, part community, part local history, the mix of paintings and photos tells the stories behind some of the public art that West Concord’s Art For All art center has spearheaded over the past four years.
Art For All began in 2019 as a community art space and outreach program. Driven by concern over how certain social, economic, and ecologic trends were straining individuals’ and communities’ sense of well-being, Art For All organized a series of creative workshops, collaborative art projects, and public exhibits to build meaningful connections. The projects brought people from throughout the community together, including many not often heard from, to tell important local stories in visual form.
The show speaks to who we are as a community and who we want to become. You will learn about:
- Public Murals: Celebrated chapters in West Concord’s history—music, farms, literature, pandemic, and social action.
- Collaborative Art Projects: Group-produced murals, Town-wide scavenger hunt, Fantastic Faces.
- Workshops: Some run weekly. Some are project specific. But all are inclusive, creative, and fun.
Come see the stories and also learn how to become involved in upcoming Art For All activities. The show runs through Jan. 31. To learn about Art For All, visit artforall@concord.com.
