Family Reunion, 1982-1984,  60"x108"x12"
six cast-bronze horse-birds, six railroad-ties, six black-wood bases

History
The six "horse-birds," in Family Reunion, are the result of much artistic trial and error. There were many challenges to resolve as the series progressed from Animus and Best Foot Forward. Even though, aesthetically, each horse-bird can stand alone, the six are shown as a unit, representing Nannette's family from her youth. Bird # 1 (far left) is the last of the six to be created and the only bird with a mane. This bird represents Nannette, and is significant because the mane continues into her next series. Her father, Bird # 2, stands proud and ready to protect his family. Her mother, Bird # 6, sits on the tallest base (far right) surveying her family unit. The remaining three birds are Nannette's siblings.

While pondering how to present the six birds, Nannette saw a group of sea gulls swooping down to land on their respective pylons; she thought of her siblings living in different areas of the country and "flying in" to see their parents. It seemed right to have her bronze birds sitting on pylons as well. To simulate the pylons, Nannette searched for old railroad ties. Care was taken to wash, dry, and fumigate them. Once all the moisture was removed, in this first stage of preparation, she could fill the crevices and apply many layers of clear protective coating. Each tie was then screwed to it's new home, a black square base.

2004: Family Reunion was included in an exhibit, A Selection of Works by Seven Maryland Sculptors, at the Governor's Mansion in Annapolis MD. Artwork was chosen from College Park's permanent collection.