Freedom's Silhouette

The Town of Concord,Orange rectangles on black background 10/5, 10/20, 10/5, 10/23 in collaboration with the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), and the Massachusetts Cultural Council is proud to present "Freedom’s Silhouette," a captivating temporary art installation by Massachusetts-based artist Liz Helfer. This project is part of NEFA’s state-wide “Making It Public” program, which supports diverse, inclusive, and equitable public artmaking across Massachusetts.

 The artwork will be installed in Monument Square in mid-September and will remain on display through the 2025 celebrations. 

About the Installation

"Freedom’s Silhouette" honors the enduring fight for freedom, drawing inspiration from the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the lives of 19th-century Concord residents Henry David Thoreau and Ellen Garrison. The installation features two 6-foot-long benches with acrylic silhouettes of Thoreau and Garrison. The transparent acrylic allows viewers to see their own reflection alongside these historical figures, fostering a deep connection to Concord’s heritage and broader themes of justice and freedom.

Special Programs

To creatively extend the conversation about freedom five companion programs are underway this fall. These offerings are made possible thanks to funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to the Concord Center Cultural District. 

Join Us

These events are part of the Concord Cultural District to enhance the cultural vibrancy and economic vitality of our community through art and historical reflection. We invite all residents and visitors to celebrate "Freedom’s Silhouette" and participate in these enriching activities.

Upcoming Events - 2024

Freedom Concert:  Terry Borderline and the Suns

Date: Saturday, October 5
Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Location: Monument Square, Concord MA 

Join us for an electrifying performance by Terry Borderline and the Suns. This seven-piece band will perform a set of original songs about freedom, spirituality, nature, and social justice, including an original piece inspired by Thoreau and Garrison. The concert will be followed by a 45-minute Q&A session.

Wright Tavern Pub Choir

Date: Sunday, October 20
Time: 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Location: Monument Square, Concord MA

Lift your voice to sing! Accomplished choir director and musician Tim Bongiovanni will lead the events by the sculpture.  Here, participants will learn and perform in three-part harmony. Enjoy refreshments and a beer garden at the Wright Tavern as part of this unique musical event.

Youth "Upstander" Art Project

Dates: Saturday, October 5 & Wednesday, October 23
Times: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (10/5) & 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (10/23)
Location: Monument Square, Concord MA
Rain Locations: 22 Monument Square (10/5) & Robbins House (10/23)

Presented by the Robbins House, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of Concord’s African, African American, and antislavery history, this art project engages local youth in artmaking and dialogue about freedom and social justice. Explore Concord’s African American history and connect past struggles for equality with modern movements.

Embodied Writing Workshop

Book coach Madeleine Eno and Boston Globe art critic and Substack writer Cate McQuaid present a free daylong workshop for writers and any creative souls who want to reinvigorate the connection between their bodies and their pens, giving voice to what freedom means to them. The workshop takes place in sites around Concord Center. The program takes place on Saturday, September 28. Space is limited. For more information and to apply.

Freedom Silhouette: Bridging Generations Through Film

This film project produced by Megan Carroll, Jane Howes, and Charley Kidd explores how three generations of a family encounter Thoreau and Garrison and reflect on the nature of freedom. The series of digital shorts will be distributed in November.