Japanese-born sculptor Michio Ihara admits he lived in his adopted hometown of Concord for more than 30 years before he reached out to the local arts community.
But once he and his wife discovered the airy, sunlit gallery space of the Concord Art Association, he decided it was time to share his body of work with his longtime neighbors.
The retrospective, titled “Looking Back, Looking Forward” and on exhibit through Aug. 14, displays miniature versions of the artist’s large-scale architectural sculptures, which are in cities across the United States and Asia. The feedback has been so positive that he made an even bigger gesture: he accepted the association’s offer to organize a guided tour of some of his acclaimed installations within driving distance of Concord.
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On Saturday, Ihara and some of his fans will board a bus for the tour, with stops in Boston to include an office building at 265 Franklin St. and a sanctuary at First and Second Church on Marlborough Street, as well as an office building in Waltham, and a number of private residences in and near Concord. Ihara will also show participants his most famous Boston-based piece, “Wind Wind Wind,” recently relocated to its current spot outside 60 State St.
“During the reception at the gallery, people had a lot of interesting questions for me, not only about the models but about the actual installations,” Ihara said. “They asked what kind of condition the sculptures were in or what the setting around them was like. That made me realize that the same people might be interested in joining me for a tour of some of my actual works.”
To Concord Art Association director Lili Ott, this is a chance for visitors to see works by an internationally renowned sculptor spanning several decades of creativity — from one piece completed in 1963 to another just two years ago.
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“What a treat to get to hear the inside story of how these pieces were created,” Ott said in anticipation of Saturday’s event.
The tour runs from 1 to 5:30 p.m., starting at the Concord Art Association gallery at 37 Lexington Road with a look at the models on display as well as larger installations in the gallery’s outdoor space before participants board the bus. Tickets are $25 and will be sold at the door. For more information, call 978-369-2578 or go to www.concordart.org.
COUNTRY STARS: Pure Prairie League, a band that has performed tunes combining the influences of bluegrass, country, and rock for more than 40 years, takes the stage Friday at 8 p.m. at the Center for Arts in Natick, 14 Summer St.
Admission is $45, or $40 for TCAN members, and tickets can be purchased in advance at www.natickarts.org or by calling 508-647-0097.
JAZZ ON MENU: Joan Cleary and the Feel the Love band play jazz, pop, and 1960s tunes from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Acton Jazz Cafe, 103 Nagog Park in north Acton.
The ensemble will feature Cleary on vocals, Molly Flannery on piano, Jon Simmons on trombone, Bill McCormack on bass, Steve Elliot on sax, and Michael Zank on drums, with special guest Patrick “Hatrack” Gallagher on harmonica.
Tickets are $11.45 online and $12.50 at the door, and can be reserved at 978-263-6161 or www.actonjazzcafe.com.
JUMPIN’ FINALE: Holliston wraps up its weekly series of free concerts with a performance by Rico Barr & the Jump ’n’ Jive Review, a popular dance band that plays classic and contemporary swing, blues, Latin, and pop tunes, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Goodwill Park, 416 Green St.
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Audience members are encouraged to bring donations of nonperishable foods for the Holliston Pantry Shelf. For more information, call 508-429-2149.
FREE BLUEGRASS: Bluegrass band Chasing Blue plays a free outdoor concert as part of Brookline’s summer concert series Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Daniel E. Ford Playground, at Emerson Garden on Davis Avenue.
In case of questionable weather, check the status of the concert at 617-730-2083 or at www.brooklinema.gov.
Send ideas to NancySWest@ gmail.com.