While the
Norman Rockwell: American Imagist exhibition
at the NMAI has concluded, we continue in our endeavor to share with
and enlighten the public by loaning culturally significant
illustration works to other museums. We previously loaned the exhibition
to the Naples Art Museum last Spring, and it summered at home in
Newport. Subsequently, this exhibition has traveled to the Nassau
County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor, New York, and will open there on
September 25, 2009. Don't miss visiting it if you are close by, for this
exhibition has shattered attendance records at previous venues.
Additionally, the NMAI will be participating in
Smithsonian Magazine's Fifth Annual Museum Day on September 26th, and will also host on a special exhibit with the
Boy Scouts of America - Narragansett Council
displaying Norman Rockwell works done for the Boy Scouts. The dates for
this unusual and very brief special exhibition at the NMAI will be
between October 16th and October 23rd - a very limited engagement for
these rarely viewed original Rockwells.
SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE: MUSEUM DAY AT THE NMAI
Saturday, September 26, 2009, the NMAI will participate in the fifth annual
Museum Day, presented by
Smithsonian
magazine. The Museum will open from 10:00am to 4:30pm, closing at
5:00pm. A celebration of culture, learning, and the dissemination of
knowledge,
Smithsonian's Museum Day reflects the spirit of both the magazine and the NMAI. Doors will be open free of charge to
Smithsonian
magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors to the NMAI and other
museums and cultural institutions worldwide. Regular admission rates
apply for all other visitors.
Above: Autumn Drive, by William F. Soare, 1935
Attendees must present the Museum Day Admission Card
to gain free entry. Visit www.smithsonian.com/museumday to download
your Museum Day Admission Card, or find it in the September 2009 issue
of Smithsonian. Each card provides museum access for two people, and one admission card is permitted per household.
NORMAN ROCKWELL'S BOY SCOUTS
EXHIBITION AT THE NMAI
Starting on October 16th, the NMAI will open its doors to host a special exhibition organized by the Boy Scouts of America featuring works by Norman Rockwell, Joseph Csatari, and a number of other illustrators for the Boy Scout publications.
The Museum will be open for guided tours only on October
16, 20, 21, 22, and 23rd at 2:00pm sharp, and we are also open on a
General Admissions basis from 10:30am to 4:30pm, closing at 5:00pm, on
October 17th and 18th.
Simply
the name "Norman Rockwell" evokes the very image of Americana. Almost
everyone can recall his famous illustrations that graced the covers of
the Saturday Evening Post. Very few are aware, however, of this famous illustrator's 64-year affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America. Rockwell held his first and only salaried position from 1913 to 1916 with the BSA, as the art editor for Boys' Life magazine. Even after he left that position, he continued his association with the scouting organization. Rockwell's Brown & Bigelow calendar paintings are among his most familiar Boy Scouts of America illustrations.
Above (l-r): Character Counts, by Joseph Csatari, 1994 and Growth of a Leader, by Norman Rockwell, 1966
Continuing in the tradition of Norman Rockwell, Joseph Csatari
has been painting scouting magazine covers and calendar illustrations
for 33 years. Since taking over the annual calendar commission from the
retiring Rockwell in 1976, Csatari has combined his talents with his
personal knowledge of the organization to create dozens of paintings for
the Scouts. His actual career
with the BSA began in 1953, when he was hired as a layout artist for the
Supply Division's advertising department. In 1973, he formally became
art director of Boys' Life magazine. Since 1976, Csatari has continued to share his wonderful talents by creating a Boy Scout painting with a different theme every single year.
NMAI REITERATES ITS FALL-WINTER SCHEDULELabor
Day Weekend concluded our 2009 normal Season. We will not be open on a
regular General Admissions basis until next Season. The Museum
will continue to be open for Guided Tours on Fridays at 2:00pm sharp,
as well as offering Guided Group Tours by advance reservation
year-round. Additionally, we will be open for the above-mentioned Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day (Sept. 26th) and 'Norman Rockwell's Boy Scouts' exhibition (Oct. 16th-18th, 20th-23rd, see hours in previous section).
Above: Four Ages of Love - Fall, by Norman Rockwell, 1955
In early January 2010, we will again be open for the
New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend. Further details will be available on our website as these dates draw closer.
We look forward to your visit!