This spring, Norman Rockwell Museum staff enjoyed the pleasure of a visit from Dr. Susan Birns, Professor of Sociology/Anthropology/Social Work, and the enthusiastic young schoars in her American Family class at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). The group joined Curator of Education Tom Daly and Deputy Director/Chief Curator to explore the power of published art and the messages about gender roles and family life reflected in the illustration art of the mid-twentieth century. After their visit, the class took inspiration from the works on view to complete an assignment from Dr. Birns, who invited them to analyze Rockwell’s art within the context of their studies. We appreciate the opportunity to share the thoughts of five of Dr. Birns outstanding students, including Lindsay Roy, Gregory James, Mary Ferrara, Brittany Galipeau, and Meghan Maguire. We know you’ll enjoy their comments too.
New Perspectives on Illustration: Barry Blitt’s “Bromance” by Kevin Valente
A exciting new feature on our website, New Perspectives on Illustration, written by emerging scholars, will offer fresh perspectives on published art. The outstanding analysis here by MICA graduate illustration student Kevin Valente was inspired by illustrator Barry Blitt’s “Bromance,” an August 2012 cover for The New Yorker. This fall, the Norman Rockwell Museum continues its educational collaboration with Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Stephanie Plunkett, Deputy Director and Chief Curator, and Joyce K. Schiller, Ph.D., curator of the Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies, teach a Critical Seminar course at MICA for an outstanding group of students in the Master of Fine Arts Illustration Practice Program, chaired by award-winning illustrator Whitney Sherman. Enjoy Kevin Valente’s piece, and look for more compelling commentary on the art of illustration soon.
Mini-Con This Saturday
A Festival of Comics
Saturday, November 17 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrate the art of comics during this exciting afternoon of artist talks and demonstrations, workshops, signings, and comic book appraisals inspired by our current exhibition, Heroes & Villains: The Comic Book Art of Alex Ross. Come dressed as you favorite superhero and get $2 off admission. Artists Howard Cruse, Marek Bennett, Lynn Pauley, Jerry Craft, Sean Wan, Greg Ruth and others will be with us. See more for the complete schedule of events.
Look Alike! Pirate Captured by Young Artist
Time travelers stashed their loot and took off for the Norman Rockwell Museum today, where an accomplished young artist “captured” seafarer Bob Chandler in this amazing pencil portrait. A member of Free Men of the Sea, Pirate Bob was joined by Neal Kirk, Donna Kirk, and Allyson Chandler in celebration of Howard Pyle: American Master Rediscovered and the spirit of adventure that his art personified.
New Perspectives: The Problem We All Live With
A New View of Norman Rockwell’s “The Problem We All Live With”
By Devan Casey, Museum Intern
When you walk into the main gallery at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts you see a collection of Rockwell’s world famous and carefree illustrations depicting small town America. For me one wall in this gallery does not seem to fit in with the light hearted theme. The two paintings have a serious tone case upon them−not Mr. Rockwell’s usual style. I found myself face to face with murder, hate, and Norman Rockwell’s more controversial paintings. These two images are Murder in Mississippi (1965) and The Problem We All Live With (1964).
