Arlington Center for the Arts is pleased to be presenting Welcome Home, a powerful and moving exhibition that brings together the stories of first generation and new Americans, capturing their unique journeys towards becoming part of the fabric of our culture. This collection celebrates the diverse experiences, struggles, and triumphs that come with finding a new sense of belonging in an unfamiliar land.

The exhibition features a rich array of artworks, including photography, paintings, sculptures, and multimedia installations. The artworks portray themes of hope, resilience, identity, and community, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the American immigrant experience.

Welcome Home curator and Interim Chief of Arts and Culture, City of Boston, Kenny Mascary says “As the curator, I have been deeply inspired by the stories behind each artwork, which are shared with the viewers of this exhibition. My hope is that visitors will find their own reflections in these stories, gaining a deeper appreciation for the contributions of immigrants to the tapestry of American life. Welcome to OUR home.”

This exhibition is made possible in part by support from the Arlington Human Rights Commission and the Grants Committee of the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture. Welcome Home is presented as part of the Arlington250: Untold Stories of Menotomy Celebration happening through 2026 throughout Arlington, MA.

Learn more: https://www.acarts.org/current-shows

The HUMANS tells the story of the quintessential family reunion: a group of people who love each other but still wrestle with basic human fears. Filled with equal parts humor and hurt, this play by Stephen Karam was a Pulitzer-prize finalist and won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Play.

The Blake family have gathered for Thanksgiving at their daughter's run-down apartment in lower Manhattan. Over the course of an awkward and often hilarious meal, the family members' fears, insecurities, disappointments and existential crises erupt in this very relatable and very human family drama.

CAST:

Jud Pierce: Erik

Lida McGirr: Deirdre

Michelle Ashley: Momo

Justin Demers: Richard

Vi Patch: Aimee

Erica Strickland: Brigid

During this fun, hands-on program, kids aged 6-12 will explore how young Cyrus Dallin taught himself to sculpt by observing the wildlife and people around him. Kids will participate in an age-appropriate tour of the Dallin Museum followed by a hand-building workshop where they will learn Dallin’s method for making armatures to create their own clay sculptures. A materials fee of $20 per child ($15 for members) is due in advance of the program.

Space is limited! Early registration is recommended. All children must be accompanied by a caregiver.

Join us for our 2024-2025 Faculty Concert Series with a performance from String Department Chair Karl Orvik followed by a reception for the community!

Karl has always loved making mix tapes and playlists for people, and that’s what this program is: Karl’s playlist for the audience! From Bach to Hailstork, this playlist is three centuries in the making. The pieces, each written around 100 years apart from one another, all call out to Karl, and he hopes you’ll love them too!

The program will include:

Violin Partita No.3 in E major, BWV 1006 by J.S. Bach
Caprice No. 6 by Niccolò Paganini
Solo sonata No. 6 by Eugène Ysaÿe

Divertimento by Adolphus Hailstork (with Gillian Gallagher, viola)
3 Madrigals by Bohuslav Martinů (with Gillian Gallagher, viola)

The concert will be in the Concert Hall, up the stairs under the large purple awning, at 160 Lexington Street, Belmont, MA 02478 at 7:00. Parking is available in front of the building or in the lot on the corner of Lexington and Beech Street.

These concerts are open to anyone who would like to come, there is a suggested donation of $20 per family to attend that can be made online or at the door.

Mark your calendars for the 14th annual Arlington Jazz Festival, running from April 3-6, with the grand finale concert, featuring the Mike Stern Group, to be held on April 6th at the Regent Theatre, located in the heart of Arlington Center. The Group includes Stern on guitar, with Bob Franceschini (sax), Leni Stern (vocals, guitar), Noam Tanzer (bass), and Dennis Chambers (drums).

Leading up to this year’s Arlington Jazz Festival’s headliner concert, Dan Fox, founder and chief coordinator of the annual jazz festival, is putting the finishing touches to the festival schedule. All the concerts leading up to April 6th will champion the vibrant local jazz scene that already flourishes in this area. As the Festival’s custom, an abundance of local talent will be on full display this year, performing in several different venues around the town from April 3-6.

Final details for the entire festival will be available by mid-March.

In honor of Arlington's rich historical significance and its pivotal role in the American Revolution, join us for a day filled with family-friendly activities and entertainment. This festive and free event will take place on Sunday, April 6 at Capitol Theater from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm offering something for everyone.

Event Highlights:

Kids Crafts: Let your little ones get creative with colonial-themed crafts.
Colonial Music & Dancing: Step back in time with live colonial-era music and traditional dancing, perfect for the whole family.
Lecture on the Battle of Menotomy by A. Michael Ruderman
Arlington 250 Informational Displays: Learn about Arlington's fascinating history and its role in the Revolutionary War with informational displays branded under the Arlington 250 celebration.
Selfie Station with William Dawes: Take a selfie with one of the Revolution’s historic icons, William Dawes, and create a fun memory to share.
Ice Cream Sundae Bar: Free make-your-own ice cream sundae bar, complete with all the toppings sponsored by Leader Bank
Beer, Wine, Snacks: Enjoy tasty theater treats like complimentary popcorn; nachos, pizza and, for the adults, beer and wine will be available for purchase.

This event is part of Arlington's year-long Arlington 250 celebration, marking the 250th anniversary of the town's involvement in the Revolutionary War. It’s a chance to not only enjoy fun activities but also reflect on the town's historical importance. Learn about how Arlington250 is amplifying the "Untold Stories of Menotomy" this year right through July 4, 2026!

Join the CSO with the whole family for an approximate 60 minute performance with pieces designed to entertain children of all ages.

The April salon theme is Poetry. Featured authors are JP Legarte, Gilmore Tamny, and Sam Witt. It’s also the Salon’s 10th anniversary! The Arlington Author Salon is a free reading with a twist: each author’s presentation includes something special to tickle the senses. Music, paintings, photographs and more. Let yourself be transported with an immersive, literary experience. No advance sign up needed — just walk in! Supported by the Arlington Libraries Foundation.

Presenting IMAGINE: The Beatles Solo Years… Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, John, Paul, George, and Ringo continued to write and record countless iconic songs, keeping them front and center in the world’s eyes and ears. IMAGINE brings together the solo hits of the individual Beatles as they might have sounded if they continued together and if their legendary producer, George Martin, had crafted these songs along with them. Featuring a 5-piece rock band and a string quartet. From the creative team behind the hit show “Piano Men: The Music of Elton and Billy.”

In celebration of the American Revolution’s ideals of freedom and equality, ArtsArlington has invited the fber artists of Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilt Guild to share their powerful quilt blocks on Patriots Day Weekend. Guild members Mada Coles Galloway, Lesyslie Rackard & Tarsha-Nicole Taylor will be at Mystic Open Studio during visiting hours to share their perspectives and expertise; organized by Juandamarie Gikandi.

The Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilt Guild (PSSMQG) honors the legacy of African American quilting by celebrating Harriett Powers (1837–1910), a Black quilter and folk artist born enslaved in Madison County, Georgia. PSSMQG has faithfully recreated Powers’ “Pictorial Quilt” in a modern context, using their own vibrant fabrics and contemporary sensibilities.

Powers’ quilts are considered some of the fnest examples of African American art and have made lasting contributions to American cultural heritage. Only two of her quilts are known to survive: the “Bible Quilt” (1886), held at the Smithsonian Institution, and the “Pictorial Quilt” (1888), housed at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Mrs. Powers used appliqué, machine stitching, and hand stitching to create these quilts, which depict Bible stories, prophecies, and astronomical events.

Related Events

OPENING RECEPTION:

Thursday, April 17, 6 to 8 pm

VISITING HOURS

Friday, April 18, 2 to 5 pm
(Coincides with Stitching Bee* organized by Mystic Open Studio; * $10 participation fee for Stitching Bee)

Friday, April 18, 6 to 8 pm
(on view during Drum Circle organized by Mystic Open Studio (artists not present) FREE)

Saturday, April 19, 11am–4pm
(Coincides with tours of the historic Jason Russell House & Menotomy Beer Hall at Town Hall - FREE)

Hosted by Mystic Open Studios
785 Mass Avenue, Arlington, MA
www.mysticopenstudio.com

Exhibit free and open to all!