The West Claremon t Center for Music and the Arts (WCCMA) is proud to unveil Humanity\, a powerful new mural by visual artist and musician Albe rto Villalobos\, accompanied by a mov ing sound installation by Luis Villalobos. The public is invited to join the celebration on Sunday\, June 29\, at 1:00 PM at the Claremont Creative Center\, WCCMA’s vibrant arts hub located at 56 Opera House Square in downtown Claremont. The unveiling will include a meet and greet with Alberto Villalobos\, as well as an artist chat that includes lo cal artists Wayne Carter\, Juniper Kim\, and Ashley Jablonski.
\nCommissioned in 2024\,
“Our early conversations were about the layered history that shapes our lives—confluences of culture\, conflict\, and hope—and how art transforms communities\,” said Melissa Richmond\, WCCMA Executive Director. “When I first saw Albert o’s sketch\, I was blown away. His message—that music holds humanity toget her—deeply resonates with our vision for this region.”
\nThe mural is ac companied by a powerful sound installation by acclaimed musician and sound artist Luis Villalobos. Titled Idle Witnesses\, the abstract sonic landscape adds a profound emotional dimension to the experience. Bl ending the haunting echoes of war with the raw frustration of confronting societal apathy\, Villalobos crafts an immersive\, meditative journey that resonates with urgency and fragile hope. The composition invites listener s to reflect deeply on collective responsibility in the face of publicly f unded oppression and conflict\, offering a poignant auditory counterpart t o the mural’s visual narrative.
\nAbout the Artists
\nAlberto Villalobos\, born in Xalapa\, Veracruz\, Mexico\, is a Grammy Award-winning violinist\, compos er\, and visual artist. Best known as one-third of the acclaimed Villalobo s Brothers ensemble\, he is also a gifted painter with a deep commitment t o social commentary through art. His work includes murals in Mexico addres sing endangered species and large-scale multimedia exhibitions such as Men of Clay—a protest piece honoring the 43 missing students fro m the Raul Isidro Burgos school in Mexico.
\nAlberto’s connection to WCCMA began in 2023 and has since led to a series of performances\, workshops\, and collaborative arts prog ramming across the region.
\nLuis Villlalobos holds a Master’s Degree from both the University of Freiburg in Germany and Berklee College of Music. Villalobos draws from a richly diverse musical lineage\, blending classical structure with expe rimental textures and electronic minimalism. His work defies borders\, cha nneling the urgency of our time through sound\, space\, and emotional rawn ess. In Idle Witnesses\, Villalobos does not hide his message and offers a sonic mirror—reflecting the indifferent self\, the fractured world\, the artist’s inner turmoil\, and the quiet beauty that can still be found in broken things.
\nThe Humanity proje ct was made possible through a mix of grants and early donations\, but rec ent funding limitations have created a gap. The project is funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation fo r the Arts\, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for th e Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencie s. WCCMA is calling on the community to help bridge the gap to bring this vision to life and ensure its ongoing care.
\n“We’re asking for our community’s support. If 100 peopl e give $100 each—or more—this incredible work can be completed\, installed \, and cared for. Gifts will also help initiate future artistic programmin g\,” said Richmond. “Donors at this level will be invited to a private pre -unveiling gathering with the artist and recognized as supporters onsite a nd online. It’s a chance to be part of something truly meaningful.”
\nTo contribute and be part of thi s powerful statement for the arts\, visit:https://www.wcc-ma.org/ humanity/.
\nOpened in June 2024 after a decade-long visioning process led by M elissa Richmond and former Director of Planning and Development Nancy Merr ill\, the Claremont Creative Center (CCC) has quickly become a cultural cornerstone in the region. Ho used in a beautifully restored Victorian-era bank in downtown Claremont\, the CCC has hosted dozens of events and welcomed over 600 guests in its fi rst year alone.
\nThe space now serves as WCCMA’s main venue for concerts\, community gatherings\, art ist residencies\, rehearsals\, and special projects. Together with the his toric Union Episcopal Church and Broad Street Park\, CCC forms one of thre e major stages WCCMA uses to bring world-class music and meaningful arts e xperiences to the Upper Valley.
\nThe Humanity mural is more than a visual statement—it’s
a beacon of resilience\, connection\, and hope. WCCMA invites all to come
witness its unveiling on June 28\, meet the artists\, and celebrate the t
ransformative power of music and art in our lives. Visit the landing page
for the mural at: https://www.wcc-ma.org/humanity/