Wendell Minor, illustration for “If You Spent a Day with Thoreau at Walden Pond” by Robert Burleigh, 2012. ©Wendell Minor. All rights reserved.

Stockbridge, MA, April 15, 2014—In conjunction with its current exhibition, “Wendell Minor’s America,” Norman Rockwell Museum will present “Hearsay to Heresy,” an evening of satire and balladeering, on Saturday, April 19, starting at 5 p.m. Join poet/author Nathan Smith for his one-man, three-act play that travels the 19th century, exploring humanity’s interactions with nature. Smith will channel such famous figures as Henry David Thoreau, during his reflection on the natural world. A reception and refreshments will follow. Admission to the event costs $10 for adults ($6 for Museum members), and $5 for children 12 and under. Reservations recommended by contacting the Museum at 413.931.2221.

Wendell Minor’s America

On view through May 26, 2014

Celebrate the four-decade career of award-winning illustrator Wendell Minor, one of our nation’s premier historical illustrators. Minor drew his way through childhood in Aurora, Illinois, inspired by the richly illustrated magazines that were so much a part of American life during the mid-twentieth century; today he travels throughout the United States to research, draw and paint on location, and immerse himself in the subject at hand. This retrospective looks at the many cover illustrations Minor has created over the years, as well as his 25th anniversary illustrating children’s books, each inspired by his love of history, art, science, and the natural world. Wendell Minor’s America traces the personal and artistic journey of the acclaimed book illustrator and admirer of Norman Rockwell, through original artwork, artifacts, and references from Minor’s expansive visual chronicles, as well as commentary about his collaborations with our nation’s most prominent authors, scientists, and historians; highlights include original work from such books as “If You Spent a Day with Thoreau at Walden Pond” by Robert Burleigh; “Reaching for the Moon” and “Look to the Stars” by Buzz Aldrin; “Sitting Bull Remembers” by Ann Turner; “Abraham Lincoln Comes Home” by Robert Burleigh; “Arctic Son” by Jean Craighead George; “Shane” by Jack Schafer; and “America the Beautiful” by Katharine Lee Bates.