Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), “Going and Coming” (detail), 1947. Norman Rockwell Museum Collections. ©SEPS: Curtis Licensing, Indianapolis, IN

It’s summer… and the Berkshires are beautiful. This week is the perfect time for a road trip to Norman Rockwell Museum, where we will be keeping things cool with a celebration of the art of storytelling.

Join us this Thursday, August 6, 5:30 p.m. as we welcome three award-winning storytellers for a Story Slam. Tony Toledo, Norah Dooley, and Ben Cunningham will lead interactive exercises, followed by a chance for the audience to share their own stories at an open mic. Co-presented by MassMouth, the premier Greater Boston-based organization dedicated to the fine art of storytelling, the event is free for members or with Museum admission.

Currently on view: Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs features original art created by the longtime New Yorker artist, including her award-winning memoir, Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?, which shares her hilarious and touching experience of caring for her elderly parents.

The theme of family extends to our newly redesigned Rockwell galleries, where we take a new look at such classics as Puppy Love, Marriage License, Girl at Mirror, and New Kids in the Neighborhood). Other themes include “heroes” (The Runaway, Peace Corps,  Lincoln for the Defense, and The Problem We All Live With), “humor” (Triple Self-Portrait, Marriage Counselor, and Artist Facing Blank Canvas), and an entire gallery devoted to Rockwell’s “process” (see how he developed Going and Coming and The Art Critic).

The story continues in our gallery presenting all 323 of Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post covers, and in his original Stockbridge studio. Our creativity center is also open, if you feel inspired to develop your own illustrations.

Join us this week at Norman Rockwell Museum, where every picture tells a story.