with “Idle Witnesses” sound installation by Luis Villalobos
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The West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts (WCCMA) is proud to unveil Humanity, a powerful new mural by visual artist and musician Alberto Villalobos, accompanied by a moving 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 local artists Wayne Carter, Juniper Kim, and Ashley Jablonski.
Commissioned in 2024, Humanity is the centerpiece of WCCMA’s mission to unite community and culture through the arts. Created over the past year in Alberto’s Brooklyn studio, the mural now brings its rich message of resilience and harmony to Claremont, gracing the largest wall of the Creative Center’s performance space in a dramatic 8 x 14-foot display.
“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 Alberto’s sketch, I was blown away. His message—that music holds humanity together—deeply resonates with our vision for this region.”
Rendered in watercolor, acrylic, and marker, the mural presents a trio of musicians—drums, upright bass, and violin—playing amidst a surreal, war-torn landscape. Bombs fall from the sky, representing chaos and destruction, yet the musicians persist. A large human heart, placed before the kick drum, pulses with life, symbolizing music as the rhythm that sustains us even in darkness. As the eye travels downward, the imagery darkens, reflecting a world where profit often overrides humanity. But at its core, the mural radiates beauty, blending a rainbow of colors into a joyful and uplifting tribute to music and the human spirit.
The mural is accompanied 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. Blending 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 listeners to reflect deeply on collective responsibility in the face of publicly funded oppression and conflict, offering a poignant auditory counterpart to the mural’s visual narrative.
About the Artists
Alberto Villalobos, born in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, is a Grammy Award-winning violinist, composer, and visual artist. Best known as one-third of the acclaimed Villalobos Brothers ensemble, he is also a gifted painter with a deep commitment to social commentary through art. His work includes murals in Mexico addressing endangered species and large-scale multimedia exhibitions such as Men of Clay—a protest piece honoring the 43 missing students from the Raul Isidro Burgos school in Mexico.
Alberto’s connection to WCCMA began in 2023 and has since led to a series of performances, workshops, and collaborative arts programming across the region.
Luis 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 experimental textures and electronic minimalism. His work defies borders, channeling the urgency of our time through sound, space, and emotional rawness. 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.
Community Support Needed
The Humanity project was made possible through a mix of grants and early donations, but recent funding limitations have created a gap. The project is funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies. WCCMA is calling on the community to help bridge the gap to bring this vision to life and ensure its ongoing care.
“We’re asking for our community’s support. If 100 people give $100 each—or more—this incredible work can be completed, installed, and cared for. Gifts will also help initiate future artistic programming,” said Richmond. “Donors at this level will be invited to a private pre-unveiling gathering with the artist and recognized as supporters onsite and online. It’s a chance to be part of something truly meaningful.”
To contribute and be part of this powerful statement for the arts, visit:https://www.wcc-ma.org/humanity/.
About the Claremont Creative Center
Opened in June 2024 after a decade-long visioning process led by Melissa Richmond and former Director of Planning and Development Nancy Merrill, the Claremont Creative Center (CCC) has quickly become a cultural cornerstone in the region. Housed in a beautifully restored Victorian-era bank in downtown Claremont, the CCC has hosted dozens of events and welcomed over 600 guests in its first year alone.
The space now serves as WCCMA’s main venue for concerts, community gatherings, artist residencies, rehearsals, and special projects. Together with the historic Union Episcopal Church and Broad Street Park, CCC forms one of three major stages WCCMA uses to bring world-class music and meaningful arts experiences to the Upper Valley.The 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 transformative power of music and art in our lives. Visit the landing page for the mural at: https://www.wcc-ma.org/humanity/
