Rockwell's America Held Over By Popular Demand
Run Extends Through March 15 at the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus
Just as American artist Norman Rockwell captured the ethos of American life in his famous Saturday Evening Post cover images, the interactive traveling exhibition showcasing his works, Rockwell's America, has captured the hearts of Ohio Historical Center's visitors — prompting the Ohio Historical Society to extend the exhibit's run through March 15.
With more than 20,000 visitors to date, Rockwell's America is the best attended traveling exhibition ever to visit the Ohio Historical Center, according to Connie Bodner, director of education and interpretation services at the Ohio Historical Society. "Many of those visitors were family and friends of individuals who experienced the exhibition and wanted to come again and share it with people they care about," she says.
Rockwell's Art Comes to Life
Perhaps what beguiles visitors most are the exhibit's life-sized, three-dimensional re-creations of 15 of Rockwell's most iconic images, such as Doctor and Doll, Hometown News and the famous soda fountain scene, After the Prom. Or perhaps it is visitors' interaction with real-life, costumed interpreters portraying characters like Rosie the Riveter, whose plucky stance on the Saturday Evening Post cover of May 29, 1943, captured America's defiant, can-do spirit.
"Whatever the reason, we're finding that Rockwell's America appeals to all ages," says Bodner. "Whether they are 7 or 70, there's so much in the exhibit that fascinates and delights visitors."
In addition to the 6,600 square feet of interactive environments, the exhibit features a gallery of all of Rockwell's 322 Saturday Evening Post covers with original art. Visitors will find their favorites there, as well as discover images they may not have known about or attributed to Norman Rockwell.
Rockwell's America was created by the Becker Group of Baltimore under license by Curtis Publishing. Local sponsors include AEP as Presenting Sponsor, AAA Ohio as Exhibit Sponsor and The Columbus Dispatch as Media Sponsor.
Related exhibits also extended
Two other exhibits reflecting important themes in American life also are being extended through March 15. Spotlight on Milton Caniff acquaints museum visitors with the Ohioan who became one of the 20th-century's most popular cartoonists. Milton Caniff masterminded the cartoon legends "Terry and the Pirates," "Steve Canyon" and "Male Call," popular from the mid-1930s through the late 1950s. The exhibit features items from the OHS and Ohio State University Cartoon Research Library collections.
Currier & Ives: Illustrating America is an exhibition of 19th-century Currier & Ives lithographs from Ohio Historical Society's renowned Christopher Collection. As printmakers, Currier & Ives are credited with launching mass media in America and for putting art in the hands of ordinary people, thus setting the stage for illustrators like Norman Rockwell.
Admission to Rockwell's America is $11 for adults, $10 for seniors (age 60 and up), $7 for youth (ages 6-12), $3 for Ohio Historical Society members and free for children 5 and under. The price includes standard museum admission. Parking is $4; free for OHS members. For more information, call 800.686.6124 or visit www.ohiohistory.org/rockwell.
