Congratulations to New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, whose recent memoir has won “Best Autobiography” from the National Book Critics Circle. Members of our staff met up with the acclaimed illustrator at her home in Connecticut last week, a day after winning the award for her first graphic novel, Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? During her acceptance speech, Chast joked that “I told my agent that I would bet the lives of my two parrots that I wasn’t going to win…” but we’re happy to report that both of her feathered friends are alive, well, and singing away.

The purpose of our visit was to prepare for our upcoming exhibition of the artist’s work, which will be on view at Norman Rockwell Museum from June 6 through October 26, 2015. We had a fun, behind-the-scenes look at the acclaimed cartoonist’s work environment, and also conducted a videotaped interview with Chast about her life and career. Make your reservations now to attend our gala exhibition opening on Saturday, June 6, and meet this talented cartoonist, whose work has kept us smiling for years.

Published last year, Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? is Chast’s touching tale of taking care of her parents in their declining years. The first illustrated book to win the NBCC Award, the memoir also picked up the first Kirkus Prize, and has received recognition from the National Book Awards and National Cartoonists Society, which has nominated Chast for “Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year.”

If you can’t wait until June, a selection of the artist’s drawings, textiles, and pysanka (dyed eggs) will be on view, starting this month at New York’s Danese/Corey Gallery. Learn more at the artist’s website:  http://rozchast.com

Related Links:

Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs exhibition page

Exhibition Opening Gala