Art for All’s public works project this past fall has been a series of 38 mini-murals. 100 people contributed to designing and painting old campaign lawn signs with messages and images to promote a sense of well-being, using images and words that evoke curiosity, joy, laughter, and a sense of connection to each other, and to our natural environment. 

Each Sign of Wellbeing 

• Is designed and hand painted by 1 or more community members

• Uses repurposed and donated art supplies

• Includes words and/or images with one or more of these components: 

• The joy of art and art-making

• The joy of connecting with others

• The joy of connecting with nature

• Self-care encouragements

• gentle humor to spark joy and curiosity.

Write to hello@villageartroom.com to suggest more resources

Local Resources:

Social Services

• Town of Concord, Community Service Coordinator, Bonny Wilbur: bwilbur@concordma.gov 

• Eliot Community Human Services

• Local Food Pantry: Open Table

• Concord Carlisle Community Chest

• Council On Aging

• If You or Someone You Know is in Crisis

  Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Or call or text 833-773-2445 to reach the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline, 24/7 including holidays, for urgent care evaluation and connection to clinical services. They are also available at www.masshelpline.com

• Families with school aged children: Concord Public Schools have partnered with Care Solace to help Concord students and their families find mental health care providers and substance use treatment centers in our community. Students and families can call Care Solace at tel. 888-515-0595 any time of day or night, and a ‘Care Companion’ will help to research options, secure appointments, and follow-up to make sure the referral is a good fit. Or go to www.caresolace.com/concord for an anonymous search, to get questions answered, or to get matched with an extensive list of care providers in the area.

• Domestic Violence Services Network

  The Domestic Violence Services Network (DVSN) supports individuals experiencing domestic violence with safety planning, risk assessment, and referrals to effective and appropriate resources. For more information, contact DVSN at dvvap@concordma.gov or the Confidential Helpline, tel. 888-399-6111.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Vivek Murthy, United States Surgeon General who declared put a spotlight on the “Epidemic of Loneliness”, recommends volunteering as a way to connect with others and have a sense of purpose. Following are some local opportunities and volunteer resources.

• Art for All

• The Nature Connection

• Idealist

Arts Resources

Art for All, Concord

Umbrella Center for the Arts

Concord Art

Concord Conservatory of Music

51 Walden Street, and Concord Players

Other Resources, books, articles, podcasts and websites:

• Together: the Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, Vivek Murthy

• This is Your Brain on Art, Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen

The Foundation for Art and Healing : The Unlonely Project

“Creativity acts as a catalyst to promote interpersonal engagement that strengthens community connections and wellbeing.” The Unlonely Project, The Foundation for Art and Healing