Seeing Red, Feeling Blue Work by Nanette Vonnegut and Jennifer McCandless November 10 - December 13, 2020 A.P.E.126 Main StreetNorthampton, MA Gallery Open Hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 12-5 pm; Friday, 12-8 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 12-5 pm; Closed Monday. Visitors may also request a visit by appointment. Contact: lisathompson@apearts.org or meredithbove@apearts.org Guidelines for visitors during COVID: Masks and hand sanitizing required, physical distancing, limit of 8 visitors at a time. Artist Statement Jennifer McCandless and I met in the spring, 2017, at The Loomis Chaffee School, where I was an artist in residence. As the head of the art department, it was Jen's job to find out how I might be useful to the students there, which involved showing examples of my work. Shortly after that Jen gave me a tour of her studio. We quickly recognized something kindred in our work, dark undertows hiding under flowery scenes and cartoonish figures. There was laughing involved and, as artists, a very real connection. Before I left Loomis Chaffee, we knew we would find a way to show our work together. The idea that it would be fun was no small part in our thinking. Thankfully, A.P.E. agreed, well before the pandemic hit us. Jen and I have chosen to not share everything we've been working on these past many months, trusting the thread of our connection would be there, as it was from the beginning. Jen recently told me she was feeling blue and it was affecting her work. How my work is being affected isn't exactly clear, but there is a lot of red and fire in it, which might suggest anger. I'll go with anger. What is certain for the both of us is that making art saves us from despair. Letting humor take a lead, in all its shades, is our way of taking shelter from the storms and ambient grief all around us. A.P.E. 126 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 413.586.5553 www.apearts.org