Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale to Present Feb. 2 Panel Discussion: “Norman Rockwell: Children, Race Relations and the Civil Rights Movement”

Nova Southeastern University Distinguished Professors to Discuss How Rockwell Chronicled Subjects in His Paintings and Illustrations

WHAT:
Four distinguished professors from Nova Southeastern University will present a panel discussion on five of Norman Rockwell’s paintings depicting children, race relations and the Civil Rights Movement. Entry is free with admission to American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell, on display through Feb. 7, 2010. Each painting will be discussed for 10-15 minutes each in the following order:

• Boy in Dining Car, 1947
  Graphic Design Professor Tennille Shuster will discuss Rockwell and how other commercial artists depicted race relations during that era.
• The Problem We All Live With, 1964
  Communications Professor Chetachi Egwu will contrast school desegregation as depicted by Rockwell with the South Florida experience.
• Golden Rule, 1961
  Sociology Professor Eileen Smith-Cavros will discuss Rockwell’s racial and ethnic unity painting, and examine his vision of diversity and optimism in the light of our present era of globalization.
• New Kids in the Neighborhood, 1967
  History Professor Gary Gershman will contrast racial integration as depicted by Rockwell with that of the South Florida experience.
• Murder in Mississippi, 1965
  History Professor Gary Gershman will use Rockwell’s depiction of the slain voting rights workers to contrast the voting rights experience in the South and the North.

The panel discussion moderator will be Communications Professor Chetachi Egwu. Following the discussion, the professors will open the floor to questions and answers.

American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell, a major retrospective of Norman Rockwell’s work throughout his 65-year career, is on exhibit at the Museum through Feb. 7, 2010. Presented by AutoNation and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., the exhibition features works from the Norman Rockwell Museum’s collections, including his greatest oil paintings and preparatory sketches, as well as archival photographs and documents that illustrate his artistic process.

One of the most popular American artists of the 20th century, Rockwell (1894-1978), was a keen observer of human nature and a gifted storyteller, and chronicled the changing American society through nuanced scenes of ordinary people in everyday life.

“In addition to seeing over 40 of his greatest paintings, already icons of American art, visitors can view a snapshot of American history through Rockwell’s 323 Saturday Evening Post covers, which will also be on view,” said Irvin Lippman, Executive Director of the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale. “The exhibition also allows us to examine our renowned William Glackens collection within the context of his illustrations for the Saturday Evening Post as well as Munsey’s, Scribner’s, and Harper’s magazines.” Glackens as Illustrator is on view concurrently with the Rockwell exhibition.

WHEN:
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010
6 p.m.

WHERE:
Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, Horvitz Auditorium
One East Las Olas Boulevard at Andrews Avenue
(954) 525-5500

COST:
The panel discussion is free with admission to American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell. Individual tickets for American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell are $15 for adults, $12.50 for seniors 65+, and $9 for students ages 6-17. Group rates available for groups of 10 or more by calling (954) 462-0222.
Media Contact:
Roberto Santiago, Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University
954-262-0243