An artist and philanthropist, Elizabeth “Elsie” Wentworth Roberts (1871-1927) founded Concord Art (also know as the Concord Center For The Visual Arts) in 1917. Housed in the historic John Ball House, its inaugural exhibition of sixty painters and eighteen sculptors included works by Childe Hassam, Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, Frank W. Benson and John Singer Sargent.

Born in Philadelphia into an affluent family, Roberts was an only child. Despite her mother’s objections, she was determined to become an artist and at the age of fifteen began training under Henry Rankin Poore and Elizabeth F. Bonsal. Four years later, she went to Paris, France where she would study at the Académie Julian for six years followed by two years of study in Florence, Italy.

Upon her return from Europe, Roberts settled in Philadelphia and began to exhibit her work at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. She moved to Concord, Massachusetts following her mother’s death where she would live with life-long companion, Grace Keyes, member of a prominent local family. Roberts and Keyes traveled frequently and summered in Annisquam where Roberts painted views of Cape Ann beaches, for which she was well-known.

Roberts retained her deep affinity for Europe and, determined to provide support during World War I, organized groups of artists and citizens to create numerous art exhibitions whose proceeds would provide aid to victims of war. One such extremely successful exhibition, described as the first of its kind ever held to raise funds to “relieve the sufferings of war refugees” sold over 200 items.

Photograph courtesy of Concord Art