Tioga Arts Council (TAC) is honored and delighted to present Candy Jar: An Exhibition of Artwork by Ann Marie Pellegrino. The exhibition will open on First Friday, July 3, at 179 Front St. from 5 - 8 p.m. An Artist Talk will take place at 6:00 p.m. Join us!

ABOUT ANN PELLEGRINO
Ann Pellegrino, working under the studio name Spotgirl Design, is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice includes art direction, illustration, murals, and collage. Working out of a colorful home studio in Vestal, NY, she specializes in happy doodle drawings and cheerful mixed-media works.

Ann’s work has been part of numerous group exhibitions throughout New York’s Southern Tier and has painted murals in several locations in Binghamton and Ithaca. She is a proud member of the local arts community and finds great joy in learning from and supporting fellow artists. Ann believes that art can be imperfect, a welcome escape, and an opportunity to connect with others.

ARTIST STATEMENT
Welcome to a super sweet visual treat!

The candy jar at Grandma’s house was a constant while we were growing up. The filled candy jar along with a shelf of books, stairs full of snacks, and blue basket of toys made us feel cozy and valued. Candy Jar is about the memories that live within us and the small gestures that represent love.

Art making is the tool I use to manage anxious feelings. The drive to create comes from a need to soothe my soul and that comfort becomes something tangible. Getting into the flow of creating transforms heaviness into colorful graphics in a way that feels magical. The process is a happy distraction with results that are visual goodies: warm, colorful, and fun.

Textures are made by painting or printing acrylic paint onto discarded papers that become the medium for building collage designs. I use thrifted canvas, boards, and frames as much as possible. Every piece of paper is hand cut and pasted down like a puzzle. Creating fodder and repurposing materials is so satisfying! Repeating this familiar formula becomes a joyful meditation.

Making aggressively cheerful artwork is my calming ritual, and I hope those good feelings transfer to the viewer. I’m happy you are here!

SPECIAL EVENTS: COLLAGE AFTERNOONS
- Date 1: Sunday, August 9 from 12-2
- Date 2: Thursday, August 20 from 12-2
- Description: Join artist Ann Pellegrino for an afternoon of collage making. Dig through curated bins of colorful painted and vintage papers to find inspiration and make your own mini collage works to take home. It will be a relaxing afternoon of art making at the gallery.
.
A SPECIAL THANKS
To Black Cat Gallery for sponsoring this exhibition.