By Sarafina Zhang — CCHS Correspondent
The Robbins House called on young “Upstanders” to help with its latest project — creating a mural to connect children with Ellen Garrison.
The Youth “Upstander” Art Project at Monument Square honors the legacy of Garrison, an educator and activist who fought for racial equality during Reconstruction and was among the first Black Americans to test segregation laws after the Civil Rights Act of 1866. The Robbins House, at 320 Monument Street, was Garrison’s childhood home and is now a museum.
To create the mural at Monument Square last Saturday, children drew silhouettes, wrote excerpts from Garrison’s letters, and expressed their thoughts on freedom and racial equality.
Participants also could read and discuss two transcriptions of Garrison’s letters, focusing on her role as a young “Upstander.”
‘Everyone has a voice’
Concordian Audrey Williams, 12, highlighted the importance of self-expression, saying, “I think it’s important to show that everyone has a voice, and everyone can show their voice.” Her sister Elsa, 11, called an Upstander “somebody who’s not afraid to share their voice and stand up for what they think is right.”
Noam Shabani expressed his reasons for bringing his children: “Just a sense of community and doing something together … exposing the children to different activities and ways of doing things.”
He spoke about the significance of working on a mural. “Art is an incredible way of expressing oneself,” he said. “It means different things to different people. … The beauty of art is that it can speak to different kinds of people about different things.”
Ben Shabani, a young artist working on the project, said, “I really love doing art… At my school, I go to art every Wednesday.” Ben said what he’s learned about Garrison has inspired him to be kind and help others.
“If someone’s lonely at recess, I try to help them,” he said. “I like helping people if they have a problem.”
Inspiration for the project
The organizers are passionate about engaging young people in learning about their community’s history through art, and this project invites participants to explore themes of freedom, equality, and what those values mean today — using Garrison as an inspiration.
Kara Angeloni Williams, a member of the board of The Robbins House, said, “It gets people engaged; it lets them feel like they can make a mark and have a voice and be more interested in learning about the history of Concord and ways that they can be Upstanders, just like Ellen.”
Robbins House executive director Jen Turner emphasized Garrison’s importance: “She grew up in Concord, and even as a young person, she helped to desegregate. … She’s a great example of the type of history that should be told in American society today.”
Maura Clarke of The Robbins House board said, “Freedom means that everybody, especially those who haven’t been heard as much, is able to express themselves — but not only express themselves but really be heard.”
The mural project is intended to complement last week’s installation of Freedom’s Silhouette in Monument Square. That three-dimensional work encourages reflection on the roles of two Concord residents — Garrison and Henry David Thoreau — in continuing the fight for freedom through the abolitionist cause.
The aim is to inspire future generations to uphold Garrison’s legacy — standing up for freedom and equality, regardless of challenges. As Concord prepares for its 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2025, the art project serves as an invitation to reflect on the struggle for liberty and justice in America.
Another installment of the project takes place in Monument Square on Wednesday, October 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. In inclement weather, the session moves to The Robbins House.
