Jessica

Jessica McAlpin is a Lexington-based artist and owner of Verie Nice Art.

Jessica: “Verie Nice Art is a sort of all-encompass name for what I do, as well as a play on my middle name ‘Verie.’ I’ve really been creating my whole life, but I’ve been focused on calligraphy/handlettering, small murals and watercolor prints. As well as a front door series I started during the pandemic last year as a way to release frustration and anxiety. I do a little bit of everything and A LOT of a few things that bring me true joy and happiness.”

Narrative from original post:

Jessica: “What does Black Lives Matter mean to you?

To me, it means that we as a country need to refocus our support towards a community and race of people that since the inception of this country has been marginalized. It means that we need to hold our country accountable to the multitude of atrocities that have been committed against black people. And while we do acknowledge that we are not the only marginalized group in the United States, we want to be loud and clear that we won’t stand for injustice of OUR people anymore.

I hate that we’re at a point where we can’t hear the cries of our fellow countrymen without having to find an excuse for their pain. Our pain is valid.”

Lexington in the Time of COVID-19 is an artwork about people practicing social distancing at a time of a deadly virus. And also offering kindness.

Kurt Gohde and Kremena Todorova capture photographs at the periphery of American culture, where drag queens, discarded couches, and abandoned motel signs exist.