Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), “Growth of a Leader,” 1966. Illustration for Boy Scouts of America, 1966. Norman Rockwell Museum Digital Collections. ©Brown and Bigelow, Inc. All rights reserved.
Norman Rockwell Museum looks forward to welcoming back all former Norman Rockwell models during our special star-spangled family day to be held on Saturday, July 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrate Independence Day Weekend by learning what it was like to pose for America’s favorite illustrator.
Scheduled to appear:
Buddy and Jim Edgerton, father and son and next-door neighbors of Norman Rockwell during his years in Arlington, Vermont; posed for several of the artist’s Boy Scouts calendars over the years.
Ed Locke, model for The Runaway (Saturday Evening Post cover, September 20, 1958) and Before The Shot (Post cover, March 15, 1958)
Melinda Murphy Pelham, daughter of artist Gene Pelham, who served as Norman Rockwell’s assistant/photographer during his years in Arlington; posed for the 1947 painting, The Babysitter (Saturday Evening Post cover, November 8, 1947).
William “Smitty” Pignatelli, Massachusetts State Representative (D Lenox), model for 1969 illustration, “When I Am an Astronaut” (Field Enterprises Educational Corporation).
Claire Williams, model for 1950s Massachusetts Mutual Insurance advertisements.
Dale Zola, model for Bride to Be, painting for 1973 Top Value Stamps catalogue.
Other events include an apple pie bake-off, music, art talks, and performances, and the return of iconic Rockwell paintings featured in our traveling exhibition, American Chronicles. The event is free with Museum admission, or for Museum members.
Posed for Norman Rockwell? We would love to hear from you! Contact the Museum at 413.931.2250 to join us during this All-American Afternoon.
Photo of Norman Rockwell models, Jim and James “Buddy” Edgerton, outside of Norman Rockwell’s Arlington, Vermont, studio, 2009. Photo by Jeremy Clowe for Norman Rockwell Museum. All rights reserved.