Witch in Rowboat, Samuel Armstrong Concept art; watercolor on paper. Courtesy Walt Disney Family Foundation; ©Disney.
Summer Lecture and Performance Series to Be Held Thursday Evenings in July and August
Stockbridge, MA, June 28, 2013—In conjunction with its new exhibition, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic,” Norman Rockwell Museum presents, “Altered Realities and the Land of Make Believe,” a lecture and performance series to be held Thursday evenings in July and August, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Explore the impact of popular mythology and fairy tales on the way we view ourselves and our world, with literary scholars and folklorists, authors, artists and performers. The events are free with Museum admission unless otherwise stated.
On Thursday, July 11, at 5:30 p.m., join Ruth B. Bottigheimer, author, literary scholar, SUNY professor, and folklorist for a look at the real-life origins of such favorite fairytales as “Cinderella,” “Puss in Boots,” and “Rapunzel;” conventional wisdom holds that these beloved tales originated in the oral traditions of peasants and were recorded for posterity by the Brothers Grimm in the nineteenth century, however Ms. Bottigheimer sets the record straight. Following the talk, the author will sign copies of her recent book, “Fairy Tales: A New History.” The talk is free with regular Museum admission, Museum members free.
Upcoming Events
Disney Inspirations: The Silent Snow White
Thursday, July 18, 5:30 p.m.
Experience the original “Snow White” movie, the 1916 silent film created by Famous Players-Lasky Corporation that inspired Walt Disney’s interest in the story when he was just 15 years old. Free with Museum admission.
Four Freedoms Forum: Youth, Identity and Media
Thursday, July 25, 5:30 p.m.
Share your thoughts on how contemporary media is shaping the way young people view themselves and navigate their social and cultural milieu. Free.
When You Wish… An A Cappella Evening with Quintessential
Thursday, August 1, 5:30 p.m.
Quintessential, an all-male a cappella group performs songs from Disney movies and more. Free with Museum admission.
Snow White: A Tale of Dark and Grimm with Adam Gidwitz
Thursday, August 8, 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy a mischievous and unique retelling of the classic Snow White tale by Adam Gidwitz, a New York Times bestselling author who took the literary world by storm with “In a Glass Grimly” and “A Tale of Dark and Grimm.” A book signing will follow the program. Free with Museum admission.
Maya and Beyond: An Evening with Jarvis Rockwell
Thursday, August 15, 5:30 p.m.
The son of famed illustrator, Norman Rockwell, Jarvis Rockwell discusses his own 60-year artistic career in diverse and imaginative works, and offers a personal tour of his exhibition on view. Free with Museum admission.
The Horror and the Beauty: Folklore, Culture and Children’s Literature with Maria Tartar
Thursday, August 22, 5:30 p.m.
Explore how classic fairytales have survived by adapting across cultures and history, as their plots are endlessly reworked in the narratives of our current culture. With Maria Tatar, the John L. Loeb Professor of Germanic Languages and Literature at Harvard University, and Program Chair of Folklore and Mythology. Free with Museum admission.
On view through October 27
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic
Celebrate Walt Disney’s vision and the artistry of his dedicated staff, illustrating how they shaped and defined an entirely new American art form through their creation of their first feature-length animated film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Guided by the vision of a master storyteller, 32 animators, 1032 assistants, 107 inbetweeners, 10 layout artists, 25 background artists, 65 special effects animators and 158 inkers and painters and countless production staff came together to create the masterpiece.
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic“ celebrates the 75th anniversary of Disney’s classic, featuring more than 200 works of art including conceptual drawings, early character studies, detailed story sketches, and animation drawings. Also featured are delicate thumbnail layout watercolors, meticulously rendered pencil layouts, rare watercolor backgrounds, colorful cels, and vintage posters all illustrating how Walt Disney advanced the art of animation.