Norman Rockwell meets with Senator Robert Kennedy at the Plaza Hotel, New York, New York, in 1968, prior to painting his portrait for the April 16, 1968 edition of "Look" magazine. Photograph by Ben Herzog. Licensed by Norman Rockwell Licensing, Niles, IL. From the permanent collection of Norman Rockwell Museum.

As an illustrator for the widely disseminated “Saturday Evening Post,” Norman Rockwell achieved celebrity status early, and his covers were so popular that thousands of readers felt comfortable enough to personally correspond with the artist about his work. Norman Rockwell Museum will present a dramatic reading of several selections from Rockwell’s fan mail letters, during a performance/brunch to be held at the Museum on Sunday, July 11, starting at 11 a.m. Experience the outpouring of reader reaction to Rockwell’s work during his 47 years creating illustrations for “The Post.” Jeffrey Borak, arts and entertainment editor for “The Berkshire Eagle,” and actress/designer Hope Aaron will perform readings of many of the heartfelt letters the artist received from around the world. Archivist Jessika Drmacich, who curated the Museum’s winter 2010 exhibition “To Rockwell with Love: Fan Mail and ‘The Saturday Evening Post,'” will offer cultural perspective. Admission to the event costs $20, $16 for Museum members, with a delicious brunch menu included. To RSVP call 413-298-4100 x 221

“Rockwell and the Movies”
On view through October 31, 2010

Though Norman Rockwell is often identified with hometown life in New England, he was a frequent visitor to California, and was called upon by Hollywood to create imagery for posters advertising entertaining feature films of his day.

This installation exploring Rockwell’s art for the movies features original paintings, vintage posters, lobby cards, and original portraits of movie stars drawn from the Museum’s Art and Archival Collections and private collections of Rockwell’s art. “The Magnificent Ambersons” (1941), “The Song of Bernadette” (1943), “Along Came Jones” (1945), “The Razor’s Edge” (1946), “Cinderfella” (1960) and the 1966 remake of the classic, “Stagecoach,” are among the films the artist branded with his signature style of realism and narration.