Wear Orange
Based in Easthampton Massachusetts we acknowledge that we stand on Nonotuck land. We’d also like to acknowledge our neighboring Indigenous nations: the Nipmuc and the Wampanoag to the East, the Mohegan and Pequot to the South, the Mohican to the West, and the Abenaki to the North.
Content Alert: images of guns and language describing trauma.
Wear Orange – an Art Exhibit is a collaboration between Doris Madsen and the Massachusetts chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America which this year is using artistic expression as the platform to celebrate individual and community resiliency in the face of gun violence.
The virtual art exhibit marks the national observance, Wear Orange 2021, June 4-6. Orange has been the defining color of the gun violence prevention movement nationwide. Orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor when she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 — just one week after performing at President Obama’s 2nd inaugural parade in 2013. We wear orange to raise awareness about gun violence and to honor and support our community partners who are fighting for change.
Artists from New England and beyond answered this call for art. This exhibit as a whole is a snapshot in time of human sentiment in the face of gun violence, a public health crisis. I think it is the intent of each of these artists to ask questions of viewers and how we can join each other in support and change.
I especially thank the many survivors** of gun violence (indicated as 🕯️in the gallery) who shared their feelings and stories. I also thank the younger artists who are working hard to create change. Artists who are volunteers of Moms Demand Action or any other gun sense organization are indicated as 🧡.
**A survivor is anyone who has personally experienced gun violence—whether you have witnessed an act of gun violence, been threatened or wounded with a gun, or had someone you know and care for wounded or killed. This can include but is not limited to gun homicides, gun suicides, domestic violence involving a gun and unintentional shootings.
Refer to www.wearorangesummerjam.com for the official presentation of Massachusetts Moms Demand Action, other events taking place in Western Mass and the link to the movie presentation of this exhibit. Selected pieces by WMASS artists will be on exhibit in the windows of 40 Cottage Street, Easthampton, Massachusetts until June 30.
Wear Orange: An Art Exhibit is supported by the Easthampton Cultural Council, The Springfield Cultural Council, Mass Cultural Council and the Massachusetts chapter of Moms Demand Action. Many thanks are extended to Easthampton City Arts for hosting this virtual gallery and providing advice and encouragement.
Neither Easthampton City Arts nor Moms Demand Action is handling sales of artwork. Please refer to contact information and links to make personal inquiries.
Curator Doris Madsen will be highlighting a selection of artists and works from this larger exhibition from June 2021 through July of 2021 via the Easthampton City Arts Instagram account @easthamptoncityarts
Doris Madsen, June 2021
