Pneuma Brass Quintet To
Perform at Norman Rockwell Museum

Norman Rockwell Museum will kick off the fourth of July weekend with a concert of patriotic music, to be held on Thursday, July 3, starting at 5:30 p.m. The Pneuma Brass Quintet, an acclaimed group of professional musicians featuring Lauren Bundy and Timothy Deik (trumpet), Debrah Greelish (horn), Joseph Haddad (trombone), and William Gray (tuba), will stir the spirit of patriotism in us all. The concert is part of "Open Season: A Series of Pre-election Programs," inspired by the Museum's current exhibition "Raw Nerve! The Political Art of Steve Brodner." The event is free with regular Museum admission.

"Open Season: A Series of Pre-election Programs"
Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

Inspired by "Raw Nerve! The Political Art of Steve Brodner," this lively series of lectures and performances reflects upon our changing times in politics.

July 17: "The Naked Campaign: An Evening with Steve Brodner"
July 24: "Filmmaker Gail Levin: Animating the Naked Campaign"
July 31: "Political Cartoons: A History of Visual Satire"
August 7: "Politics Unusual: An Evening with Alan Chartock"
August 14: "The Campaign Trail: An A Cappella Evening with Quintessential"
August 21: "Drawing Conclusions: Gender and Politics in Editorial Cartoons"
August 28: "The Lincoln-Douglas Debate"

Norman Rockwell Museum
To Hold Summer Children's Art Workshops

Norman Rockwell Museum will hold a series of dynamic art workshops for children throughout this summer season.

Summer Sketch Club
Tuesdays, July 1 through August 19, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For children ages seven and up.

Enjoy an on-location drawing and painting class that encourages self-expression while exploring the concepts of art through experimentation with line, form, color, and texture. Bring along a sketch-book or drawing pad; other art supplies are provided. The class will be held outdoors, weather permitting, so please have bottled water, insect repellent, hats, and sunscreen on hand.

Drawing Together: A Parent-Child Experience
Wednesdays, July2 through August 20, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
For children ages four and up, accompanied by an adult.

Children and their parents/guardians will explore the Museum's galleries together in a guided, interactive look at the works on view, followed by art-making activities that inspire experimentation with a variety of materials and techniques.

Painting Studio for Children
Fridays, July 4 through August 22, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For children ages eight and up.
Discover the joy of painting in this special studio experience designed for children. Artist/educator Monika Pizzichemi will teach students about media, techniques, color mixing, perspective and more while exploring the art of painting pictures.

Cost for the summer art workshops cost $6 per class, $4 for Museum members. To pre-register, please contact the Museum at 413.298.4100, ext.260.

Norman Rockwell Museum
Presents "Baseball: America's Favorite Pastime"

Norman Rockwell Museum will celebrate baseball, America's favorite pastime, with an afternoon of "major league" activities on Saturday, July 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. At 1 p.m., meet Master of Ceremonies Carl Beane, the Voice of Fenway Park and the 2008 World Champion Boston Red Sox. Mr. Beane will regale visitors with insider stories about the Red Sox, and bring along his authentic World Series ring. At 2 p.m., meet award-winning illustrator Graig Kreindler, whose paintings depict watershed moments in baseball history. Mr. Kreindler will sign prints of his work following the presentation. At 3 p.m., design your own unique baseball card in an art class for all ages. Rounding out the day, design your own unique baseball card in an art class for all ages starting at 3 p.m., and see what baseball looked like in 1886 with the Pittsfield Elms Vintage Baseball Club at 3:30 p.m. The Elms will be on hand to toss the ball and discuss the evolution of the game. The afternoon of baseball activities is free with regular Museum admission.

Comic Creator/Publisher Denis
Kitchen To Speak at Norman Rockwell Museum

Noted comic book creator/publisher Denis Kitchen will join the list of presenters for a special screening of the documentary "Will Eisner: Portrait of a Sequential Artist" at Norman Rockwell Museum on Saturday, May 17, at 2 p.m. The film takes an in-depth look at the life and career of Will Eisner, one of the greatest innovators in the history of comic books, whose work is featured in the exhibition "LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel." Along with filmmakers Andrew D. Cooke and Jon B. Cooke, Kitchen will share his memories of working with Eisner and explain how his work continues to influence new generations of artists (Eisner's character The Spirit will be released as a major motion picture this Christmas, directed by graphic novelist Frank Miller). Admission to the screening and panel discussion is free with regular Museum admission, however space is limited. To reserve tickets please call 413.298.4100, ext. 260.

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents
An Evening With Graphic Novelist Barron Storey

Norman Rockwell Museum will present "Life After Black: The Visual Journals of Barron Storey" on Saturday, May 24, starting at 5:30 p.m. Meet artist Barron Storey, whose visual journals allow for everything from personal therapy to research and development for his illustrations. Storey will describe his process and many inspirations, which has lead to the creation of over 145 visual journals since 1976. The event is free with regular Museum admission.

An illustrator, graphic novelist, and noted educator, Barron Storey has created award-winning artworks for the covers and pages of Time, National Geographic, Saturday Review, and "The Sandman: Endless Nights" among others.

His published journals include "Life After Black" and "Marat/Sade Journals." The artist's paintings are held in the collections of the National Air and Space Museum, the American Museum of National History, and the National Portrait Gallery, and his work is featured in the exhibition "LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel."

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents Exhibition of
Rarely-Seen Rockwell Works at The Gallery at The Park Avenue Bank

A unique exhibition of work created by artist Norman Rockwell opened on April 22 at The Park Avenue Bank in New York City. "Norman Rockwell in Black & White: Drawings for Classic Saturday Evening Post Covers" features rarely-seen preparatory drawings created by Rockwell, offering intriguing insights into the artist's creative process. The exhibition has been curated by Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA, which holds the largest and most significant collection of original Rockwell art. Artwork is from the Museum's permanent collection, which includes the artist's Stockbridge studio, its contents, and an extensive archive relating to Norman Rockwell's life and career.

Norman Rockwell Museum To
Screen Film on Graphic Novel Pioneer Will Eisner

Norman Rockwell Museum will present a special screening of the documentary "Will Eisner: Portrait of a Sequential Artist" on Saturday, May 17, at 2 p.m. The film profiles the life of artist Will Eisner, one of the greatest innovators in the history of comic books, whose work is featured in the Museum's current exhibition "LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel."

As artist, businessman, innovator, and visual storyteller, Will Eisner enjoyed a career that encompassed comic books from their early beginnings in the 1930s to their development as graphic novels in the 1990s. During his sixty-plus career, Eisner introduced the now-traditional mode of comic book production; championed mature, sophisticated storytelling; was an early advocate for using the medium as a tool for education; pioneered the now-popular 'graphic novel;' and served as an inspiration for generations of artists. The creator of the comic book character The Spirit and the groundbreaking graphic novel "A Contract with God," Will Eisner considered himself "a graphic witness reporting on life, death, heartbreak, and the never ending struggle to prevail."

"Will Eisner: Portrait of a Sequential Artist" takes an in-depth look at the man many consider "the godfather of the American comic." Through interviews with such notable figures as Kurt Vonnegut, Michael Chabon, Frank Miller, Jules Feiffer, Art Spiegelman, and Eisner himself, the film tells the fascinating story of a man who devoted his entire career to taking a so-called child's medium and infusing it with a unique vision of something so much more. Following the screening, filmmakers Andrew D. Cooke and Jon B. Cooke will be present to discuss their critically-acclaimed film and answer questions from the audience.

The film screening is free with regular Museum admission, however space is limited. Please call 413.298.4100, ext. 260 to reserve tickets. To view the film trailer, visit: www.youtube.com/normanrockwellmuseum.

Comic Arts Festival To Be Held
Saturday, May 3, at Norman Rockwell Museum

Norman Rockwell Museum will present a special comic arts festival on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum invites visitors to an exciting day of workshops, lectures, book signings, and conversation with noted comic artists and historians in celebration of the exhibition "LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel." Artists Howard Cruse, Marc Hempel, Jack Purcell, Lauren Weinstein, and Mark Wheatley will be on hand to discuss their work, lead drawing demonstrations, and inspire the creation of comics of your own. Comic art collector Scott Eder, graphic novel historian Robin Brenner, and author/art critic David A. Berona will offer insights into the evolution of the field and the current comics marketplace; the day will also feature wet ink sessions and a mini comic exchange. Refreshments will be served, and lunches will be available for purchase. The comic arts festival is free with regular Museum admission.

Norman Rockwell Museum
Presents "Magic, Reading, and Comics"

Norman Rockwell Museum will present "Magic, Reading, and Comics," an afternoon of family activities, on Saturday, April 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. Starting at 1 p.m., take a tour of "LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel," which celebrates the magic of books. At 1:30 p.m., join magician Ed the Wizard for a performance that will take visitors to faraway places. Finally, at 2:30 p.m., create your own wizard adventure in comic strip form. "Magic, Reading, and Comics" is free with regular Museum admission.

School Vacation Week Graphic Novel
Workshop To Be Held at Norman Rockwell Museum

Norman Rockwell Museum will present "Make Your Graphic Novel Pop!," a workshop teaching students how to create their own graphic novel, from Monday, April 21, through Friday April 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. Educator and graphic novelist Tim Callahan, creator of "Teenagers from the Future," will guide young cartoonists through the process of following an idea from the first frame to a finished comic book, blending the art of writing, drawing, and storyboarding in the creation of their own work. The week-long workshop is for ages 13 and up, and costs $6 for individual classes, $5 for Museum members; all five classes costs $25, $20 for Museum members. To register, please contact the Museum at 413.298.4100, ext.260.

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents
"Roots! A Lively History of Pictorial Communication"

Norman Rockwell Museum will present "Roots! A Lively History of Pictorial Communication," on Friday, April 11, at 12 p.m. Discover the roots of American illustration with this lively talk presented by Curator Charles Sable. The origins of pictorial communication from prehistory to the twentieth century will be explored, offering insights into the intersecting roles of the artist, economics, and culture. The examination of nineteenth- and twentieth-century visual culture will culminate in the legendary career of illustrator Norman Rockwell.
Participants should bring lunch, with beverages and dessert provided. Admission to "Roots!" costs $6, free for Museum members.

Norman Rockwell Models To Share
Memories at High Tea Celebrating The Life of The Artist

Norman Rockwell's models will share their memories of working for the late artist at a special high tea to be held at Pittsfield's Crowne Plaza Hotel, on Thursday, April 3, starting at 4 p.m. Celebrating the life and career of Norman Rockwell, the event will include appearances by Wray Gunn, who posed as one of the young boys in Rockwell's classic civil rights era painting "New Kids in the Neighborhood" (1967); Julie Martino, who modeled for a series of advertisements the illustrator created for the Florida Gas Company in the 1970s; and Betsy Manning, a neighbor of the late artist, who modeled for advertising illustrations for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance and the memorable Saturday Evening Post cover "Girl Missing Tooth" (1957). Norman Rockwell Museum curators will also be on hand to present an illustrated talk on Rockwell, a preview of upcoming Museum events, and a special screening of the Museum-produced documentary "Drawing Inspiration: Norman Rockwell in Stockbridge." The Norman Rockwell High Tea costs $18 per person, and includes tea, light fare, service, and parking. To register or for more information, please contact 413.298.4100, ext. 239.

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents Graphic Novel Writing Workshop

Norman Rockwell Museum will present "99 Ways to Tell a Story! How to Write a Graphic Novel" on Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join illustrator Matt Madden, the author and illustrator of "99 Ways to Tell a Story: Exercises in Style" and "A Fine Mess," for a workshop designed to inspire the graphic novelist in you through engaging exercises in literary and artistic styles. Point of view, personal narration, and the interplay of pictures and words will be explored. Art materials will be provided. Please bring lunch; beverages and snacks will be provided. The workshop costs $15, $10 for Museum members. To register, please contact the Museum at 413.298.4100, ext.260.

Matt Madden is a cartoonist and illustrator and teaches comic art and drawing at the School of Visual Arts in New York. His work is featured in the exhibition "LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel," currently on view at Norman Rockwell Museum. Mr. Madden recently completed a comics textbook with his wife and fellow artist, Jessica Abel, called "Drawing Words and Writing Pictures."

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents
"A Comedy Revue Point of View"

Norman Rockwell Museum will present "A Comedy Revue Point of View" on Saturday, March 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. Starting at 1 p.m., learn about point of view in a guided tour of "LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel." At 1:30 p.m., meet "Stand-Up Chameleon" Jackson Gillman, songsmith, storyteller, and movement artist, whose interactive performance will take a humorous look at our daily rituals from a variety of perspectives. At 2:30 p.m., experiment with artistic viewpoints in a drop-in art class for all. The event is free with regular Museum admission.

Norman Rockwell Museum
Presents "JFK: In His Own Words"

Norman Rockwell Museum will present "JFK: In His Own Words," an evening performance to be held at the Museum on Saturday, March 8, starting at 5:30 p.m. Join actor Mike Lowe, whose deft recreation brings to life the voice, presence, and vision of the late President John F. Kennedy. Performed in the Museum's galleries surrounded by Norman Rockwell's paintings of other former American presidents and candidates, this program invites those old enough to remember JFK, as well as those born after 1963, to experience his sense of hope, spirit, and duty. Admission to the event costs $8, $6 for Museum members.

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents
"The Business of Art: Self-Publishing Your Comics"

Norman Rockwell Museum will present "The Business of Art: Self-Publishing Your Comics" on Saturday, March 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. Join illustrator Alec Longstreth for this special focus on ways to succeed in cartooning and self-publishing. Learn inside information on production, distribution, promotion, and the importance of networking. Aspiring artists and those who are new to the genre are welcome. Participants are invited to bring a portfolio for review.

Alec Longstreth is an experienced self-publisher and the winner of the 2005 Ignatz Award for an Outstanding Mini-Comic. He is currently working on "Basewood," his first graphic novel, and his illustrations have been commissioned by such notable clients as Nickelodeon, National Geographic for Kids, Scholastic, and others.

Admission to "The Business of Art: Self-Publishing Your Comics" costs $10, $5 for Museum members. To pre-register, please contact the Museum at 413.298.4100, ext. 260.

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents
"George Washington: Our Nation's First President"

Norman Rockwell Museum will present "George Washington: Our Nation's First President," an evening performance to be held at the Museum on Saturday, February 23, starting at 5:30 p.m. Explore the roots of American government with George Washington, who swore to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution" as the first United States President on April 30, 1789. Portraying Washington, actor Carl Closs will celebrate the life, times, struggles, and triumphs of a historic national figure, while surrounded by Norman Rockwell's paintings of other former American presidents and candidates. Admission to the event costs $8, $6 for Museum members.

Norman Rockwell Museum Invites Artists
To Design Garden Gates For Upcoming Exhibition

Norman Rockwell Museum invites artists and craftspeople working in all media to submit proposals for "In Full Bloom: Artists Design Garden Gates," a unique outdoor exhibition to be held at the Museum during its busy summer season. Garden gates are the quintessential element of an ideal garden and provide symbolic entry into a world of color and aesthetic beauty; three-dimensional, weather-resistant, outdoor gates will be reviewed by a panel of prominent arts professionals, with final selections being exhibited on the Norman Rockwell Museum grounds from July 5 through September 7, 2008. Prizes will be awarded for: Best In Show, Most Inventive, Most Classic, Most Functional, and Viewer's Choice. Deadline for entries, including application form, sketches and concept statements, is March 25, 2008. Artists will be notified of acceptance by April 1, 2008. For further information on the exhibition and submission guidelines, please call 413-298-4100, ext. 207, or send an e-mail to csable@nrm.org.

Annual Berkshire County High School Art
Show Opens February 2nd at Norman Rockwell Museum

The Annual Berkshire County High School Art Show returns for its 22nd year at the Norman Rockwell Museum with a special exhibition opening reception to be held on Saturday, February 2, from 1 to 5 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon in celebration of the talented youth of Berkshire County high schools, whose art will be on view. At 2 p.m., commentary by graphic novelists Andy Fish and Veronica Hebard will offer insights into the worlds of two gifted artists who are professional illustrators.

The High School Art Show showcases the work of high school students in Berkshire County in grades 9 through 12, and will be on view at the Museum through March 2, 2008. Students submit original works to the yearly exhibition, in a variety of media, including painting, drawing and sculpture. The young artists learn how to prepare their work for a gallery show, acquire a personal understanding of the exhibition process, and have the exciting opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional Museum setting. Admission to the High School Art Show is free for all Berkshire County high school students, their families, and teachers, and to others with regular Museum admission. The exhibition is sponsored by The Legacy Banks Foundation

Norman Rockwell Museum Announces
Call for Entries for Student Graphic Novel Show

Norman Rockwell Museum invites high school students from New England and New York State to create their own comic book stories for inclusion in a special exhibition on graphic novels. Held in conjunction with the Museum's current exhibition "LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel," the student art exhibition will be on view from March 15 through May 26, 2008. Students are asked to create double page spreads (11" x 17") of stories in comic book form; the pages should not contain a complete story, but showcase a student's idea for a character, hint at the plot, and combine images with text. Students are encouraged to include diverse themes, from autobiographical to world events (no profanity or nudity accepted). Entries must be received by March 7, and will be returned to each school after the conclusion of the exhibition. For a full list of submission guidelines, please contact the Museum's education department at 413.298.4100, ext. 260, or visit the Museum's Web site: www.nrm.org.

Annual Berkshire County High School Art
Show Opens February 2nd at Norman Rockwell Museum

The Annual Berkshire County High School Art Show returns for its 22nd year at the Norman Rockwell Museum with a special exhibition opening reception to be held on Saturday, February 2, from 1 to 5 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon in celebration of the talented youth of Berkshire County high schools, whose art will be on view. At 2 p.m., commentary by graphic novelists Andy Fish and Veronica Hebard will offer insights into the worlds of two gifted artists who are professional illustrators.

The High School Art Show showcases the work of high school students in Berkshire County in grades 9 through 12, and will be on view at the Museum through March 2, 2008. Students submit original works to the yearly exhibition, in a variety of media, including painting, drawing and sculpture. The young artists learn how to prepare their work for a gallery show, acquire a personal understanding of the exhibition process, and have the exciting opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional Museum setting. Admission to the High School Art Show is free for all Berkshire County high school students, their families, and teachers, and to others with regular Museum admission. The exhibition is sponsored by The Legacy Banks Foundation

LitGraphic Press Releases

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents "Out of Her Mind"

Norman Rockwell Museum will present "Out of Her Mind," part of its ongoing lecture and performance series, on Saturday, January 26, starting at 5:30 p.m. Join storyteller Carolyn Calandro for an evening of quirky stories and twisted tales inspired by the Museum's current exhibition "LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel." Using materials from her own life and roads less traveled, Ms. Calandro weaves together a tapestry of tales that are both humorous and insightful. Admission to Out of Her Mind costs $8, $6 for Norman Rockwell Museum members.

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents Cartoons and Comics Workshop

Norman Rockwell Museum will hold a workshop on creating cartoons and comics on Saturday, January 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. Explore how cartoonists use line, shape, and point of view in a gallery tour of the exhibition "LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel" at 1 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., learn how to create a three-panel action sequence with graphic artist Marek Bennett. At 2:30 p.m., paint a splash page featuring your own cartoon character. The afternoon workshop is free with regular Museum admission.

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents "Graphic Novels in the Classroom"

Norman Rockwell Museum will present "Graphic Novels in the Classroom," an educators' symposium, on Saturday, January 12, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No longer underground, comics and graphic novels have been embraced by many as a means to engage students with literature and learning.This day-long symposium for educators and librarians provides an in-depth look at this popular art form and explores its educational potential in the classroom.

Keynote speaker Jay Hosler has created a science textbook called "Clan Apis," a graphic novel about the lives of bees. An Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at Juniata College in Huntington, PA, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Ohio State University Rothenbuhler Honey Bee Research Laboratory. Other speakers include librarian and graphic media specialist Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe, artist and English teacher Tim Callahan, and art teacher Andrew Wales.

To register for Graphic Novels in the Classroom please contact the Museum at 413.298.4100, ext. 260. PDPs are available. Participants should bring their lunch and imagination. The symposium costs $20, $15 for Museum members.

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents
"Roots! A Lively History of Pictorial Communication"

Norman Rockwell Museum will present "Roots! A Lively History of Pictorial Communication," starting on January 11, at 12 p.m. Discover the roots of American illustration in this lively series of informal talks with Curator Charles Sable. The origins of pictorial communication from prehistory to the twentieth century will be explored, offering insights into the intersecting roles of the artist, economics, and culture. The examination of nineteenth- and twentieth-century visual culture will culminate in the legendary career of illustrator Norman Rockwell. "Roots! A Lively History of Pictorial Communication" will be presented once a month, with additional dates to be held on February 8, March 14, and April 11. Participants should bring lunch, with beverages and dessert provided. Admission to Roots! costs $6, free for Museum members.

Other Press Releases

Norman Rockwell Museum Receives First Place Award of Excellence in International Brochure Competition

Norman Rockwell Museum has received a First Place Regional Award of Excellence for its brochure by the Association of Professional Brochure Distributors. The brochure, which features the Norman Rockwell painting Red Sox Locker Room, won first place in the Northeastern United States in the Association’s 2007 International Best Brochure Competition. Contest winners were announced at the Association’s recent annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois.