FW: [TacomaArt] Norman Rockwell Makes Only Northwest Stop at Tacoma ArtMuseum

Hello Docents-
The Rockwell excitement begins. Below is the press release that went out today. I wanted to give you a heads up that I am now interviewing new docent candidates and I am hoping to bring on around 6 new docents to help with the big push we anticipate for the Rockwell exhibition. Some may be joining us as early as Wednesday for the first training of the season. I hope to pair up these new folks with existing docents so you may have some companionship on your shifts for a bit as new docents learn the ropes. If you have any questions or concerns regarding new docents, or anything else I can help with, Just let me know.
Thank you,
-Jana

 

Jana Wennstrom
Manager of Public and Volunteer Programs

TACOMA ART MUSEUM
T: 253.272.4258 x3030

 

 

 

From: tacomaart-bounces@cityoftacoma.org [mailto:tacomaart-bounces@cityoftacoma.org] On Behalf Of Lisa McKeown
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 1:10 PM
To: TacomaArt@cityoftacoma.org
Subject: [TacomaArt] Norman Rockwell Makes Only Northwest Stop at Tacoma ArtMuseum

 

1701 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402

 

NEWS RELEASE

September 2, 2010

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Lisa McKeown, Communications Coordinator, 253.272.4258 x3047, lmckeown@TacomaArtMuseum.org

 

 Norman Rockwell Makes Only Northwest Stop at Tacoma Art Museum
On View February 26–May 30, 2011

(Tacoma, WA) – A rare exhibition of Norman Rockwell’s iconic artworks makes its only stop in the Northwest when it comes to Tacoma Art Museum February 26-May 30, 2011. As part of its 75th anniversary year, the museum welcomes American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell, which celebrates the full range of Rockwell's artwork, including 44 paintings and 323 original Saturday Evening Post covers. Additionally, archival materials depict how Rockwell worked: from preliminary sketches, photographs, color studies, and detailed drawings to the finished painting. This nationally-acclaimed travelling exhibition organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts has been viewed by enthusiastic audiences in Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Michigan, Kansas, and North Carolina and will continue on to California for its final showing after it leaves Tacoma.

Norman Rockwell created unforgettable images of the innocence, courage, history, and hopes of American life in the 20th century. Expertly weaving stories throughout his images, Rockwell proved that he was a consummate visual storyteller with a finely honed sense of what made an image successful in the new, rapidly changing era of mass media. Rockwell’s unique artistic legacy, established during 65 years of painting, spans some 4,000 works of art. From touching scenes of everyday life to powerful images documenting the American Civil Rights movement, Rockwell captured the American experience through his images, many of them now icons of American culture.

“Rockwell's works are part of our popular consciousness,” said Margaret Bullock, Curator of Collections and Special Exhibitions at Tacoma Art Museum. “Although people know his printed images, many have never seen the original paintings and may not realize that Rockwell was a masterful painter. It's one of the great discoveries in this exhibition.”

American Chronicles traces the evolution of Rockwell’s art and iconography from his reflections on childhood innocence in No Swimming (1921), in which a few boys try to escape being caught at a local watering hole, to his images of America during World War II and his powerful depiction of the Four Freedoms (1943), which include meditations on our freedom of speech and worship along with our freedom from want and fear. Later in his career, Rockwell focused on consciousness-raising works such as The Problem We All Live With (1963), which documented the traumatic realities of desegregation in the South.

“Rockwell captured the tenacity of the American spirit like no other artist in recent history,” said Stephanie A. Stebich, Director of Tacoma Art Museum. “His images not only evoke memories from the past, but they also call on the young and old alike to consider what it means to be an American today. We invite the community to discover and savor the art, programs, and special events related to such an iconic, American artist.”

Along with regular admission, guests can purchase an audio guide to help them explore the exhibition ($6 per guide), or they can sign up for private group tours scheduled before the museum opens or after it closes. The Workz Café will be offering a 1950s diner-inspired menu along with Grab & Go box lunches (for those on group tours). Not only will there be a video about the life and art of Norman Rockwell playing for visitors to enjoy, but Tacoma Art Museum is also offering a range of programs and events to complement American Chronicles, including:

·         Opening Day Family Program and Public Lecture (Saturday, February 26)

·         Curator Talk: Introducing Norman Rockwell (Wednesday, March 2)

·         Know More Art Sunday Lecture Series: Visions of America (Sundays, March 6, 13, 20, 27)

·         Americana Free Community Festival (Sunday, May 1)

·         Workshop: Genre Painting from Photos (Saturday, May 14 & Sunday, May 15)

A fully illustrated, 272-page exhibition catalog published by the Norman Rockwell Museum accompanies the exhibition.

For more information about American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell at Tacoma Art Museum, visit www.TacomaArtMuseum.org/Rockwell.

American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell is organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. American Chronicles has been made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, American Masterpieces Program. Publication support has been provided by the Henry Luce Foundation. Media sponsorship has been provided by the Curtis Publishing Company and by the Norman Rockwell Estate Licensing Company. Conservation support provided by the Stockman Family Foundation. Made possible locally by Bank of America, with additional support provided by Propel Insurance.

 

About Tacoma Art Museum

Tacoma Art Museum connects people and builds community through art. The museum serves the diverse communities of the region through its collection, exhibitions, and learning programs, emphasizing art and artists from the Northwest. The museum’s five galleries display an array of major national shows, the best of Northwest art, creatively themed exhibitions, and historical retrospectives. In addition, there is an Education Wing for children, adults, and seniors with an art resource center, classroom, and studio for art making. Tacoma Art Museum is located in Tacoma’s Museum District, near the Museum of Glass, the Washington State History Museum, and historic Union Station.

HOURS                   Wednesday–Sunday 10 am–5 pm, Third Thursdays 10 am–8 pm
ADMISSION           Adult $9, Student/Military/Senior (65+) $8, Family $25 (2 adults and up to 4 children under 18).

Children 5 and under free. Third Thursdays free from 5-8 pm. Members always free.

GROUP TOURS    Tuesday–Friday, Reservations required. Call 253.722.2459 or email tours@TacomaArtMuseum.org.

CONTACT              253.272.4258, www.TacomaArtMuseum.org/Rockwell, info@TacomaArtMuseum.org

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