If you haven’t yet seen “American Chronicles – the Art of Norman Rockwell” at the Taubman Museum of Art, time is running out. The exhibit of original works from the artist best known for his Saturday Evening Post cover illustrations closes on June 12th. That’s also the end of the national tour for the exhibit, which will then be returned to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts.
In the first two and a half months since it opened in March, the Rockwell exhibit in the brand new special exhibitions gallery on the second floor of the Taubman drew about one thousand visitors a week on average, according to executive director Della Watkins.
“It’s been going along great,” said Watkins recently, as she also prepared for the annual sidewalk art show (June 4-5) that benefits programs at the museum. Many of those attending are first time visitors to the Taubman. As a result, the Rockwell show has led to an increase in museum membership.
“A lot of feet through the door” said Watkins of the almost 9,000 visitors to the ticketed Rockwell show over the initial 2-plus months, “[and] a lot of smiling, happy visitors.”
She’s hoping for a strong finish to push that total to well over 10,000. Although most of the galleries at the Taubman are free, the new space – carved out of an unused room once reserved for an IMAX theater – is designed with a separate entrance to be used for special exhibitions that can be ticketed to help defray the cost of bringing certain artists to town.
The Rockwell exhibit features original paintings turned into Saturday Evening Post covers, where in vivid detail and often with a sense of humor the artist captured everyday American life dating back to the 1920’s. Later in life Norman Rockwell also painted works depicting the civil rights movement of the 1960’s. Those are also part of the Taubman showing.
Watkins said she has heard many stories from people who take her over to a particular Post cover painting they might remember – one woman said she “looked forward” to the annual April Fool’s cover art from Rockwell, which often featured “unusual pairings of things.”
Others remembered moments in U.S. History that they had lived through – moments often captured by Rockwell through those Saturday Evening Post covers. “They wanted to tell me where they were that day – how sad they were – or how delighted they were.”
Showing despair, loss or loneliness wasn’t Rockwell’s thing, said Watkins. “He was working with Americans to make them hopeful and happy, to bring America together. People remember that. The stories have been amazing.”
“Once you come through the exhibition … you will see that every single painting that he worked on – about a month’s work – was the source for one Post cover. He wasn’t quickly illustrating anything. He was telling a full-fledged story in paint each and every time. I’ve come to learn a lot about Norman Rockwell – his technique, his dedication, his particular sense of detail – and gift for telling a story,” said Watkins. Because of the depth and breadth of the exhibit, many visitors have walked away with a greater sense of appreciation for Norman Rockwell as an artist, not just a magazine cover illustrator.
Museum members get into the exhibit for free and do not need to make advance reservations. For non-members, adult tickets are $12.50 with lower rates for students, seniors and children. The exhibit closes on June 12th.
Gene Marrano
