Acclaimed portraitist Everett Raymond Kinstler and friend, singer Tony Bennett at the opening of "Everett Raymond Kinstler: Pulps to Portraits" on March 10, 2012. Photo ©Norman Rockwell Museum. All rights reserved.

Thanks to all who attended the opening of our new exhibition, Everett Raymond Kinstler: Pulps to Portraits, this past Saturday, March 10. Mr. Kinstler himself was in attendance, along with a very special guest, legendary singer Tony Bennett. The artist has been friends with Mr. Bennett for many years, and his portrait is one of several striking paintings on display in the exhibition, which runs through May 28.

This past weekend Norman Rockwell Museum also announced a special online benefit auction, held in conjunction with the exhibition. The Museum will be auctioning an exclusive portrait commission, painted by Everett Raymond Kinstler, plus a luxurious Berkshire getaway at Blantyre, a Relais & Chateaux® resort. Bid now to have your opportunity to be painted by one of America’s premiere portrait artists: www.nrm.org/auction

Looking ahead, this week we welcome back cartoonist/animator Scott Lincoln for a new after-school art workshop series. Moving Pictures: The Art of Animation will be held at the Museum on Wednesdays from March 14 through April 11, from 3:15 to 5 p.m. Learn character design, storyboard illustration, and digital animation techniques during this exciting hands-on series that looks at the art of animation, from concept creation to the moving image.

On Friday, March 16, starting at 2:30 p.m., the Museum is happy to host the Berkshire Festival of Women Writers for “Karaoke Confession,” a performance by singer/songwriter JoAnne Spies that weaves together songs and stories on the theme of forgiveness, using Norman Rockwell’s paintings as a launching point. Learn more about the month-long festival at: berkshirewomenwriters.org

And on Sunday, March 18, 11 a.m., our American Icons: Adventures in Illustration lecture series continues with Uncle Sam Wants You, a look at the ways that illustrators mobilized America during World War I. Join Joyce K. Schiller, Ph.D., Curator of the Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies, for a fascinating look at a variety of posters and magazine illustrations created during The Great War to bolster popular opinion. A delicious continental brunch will be served. And finally, from 1 to 3 p.m., we give you the chance to do the illustrating, as our Sunday Sketchbook community draw-in continues in galleries.

Spring ahead and enjoy our many great exhibitions and programs at Norman Rockwell Museum, or take a stroll on our beautiful grounds—the weather is supposed to be wonderful. See you at the Rockwell!