Photo by Sarah Edwards. Courtesy Norman Rockwell Museum. All rights reserved.

THIS SUNDAY – MAY 2

Norman Rockwell Museum will celebrate the reopening of Norman Rockwell’s Stockbridge studio with the second annual World Rhythms Community Day, to be held Sunday, May 2, from 12 to 4 p.m.

Inspired by Rockwell’s “Golden Rule,” a 1961 “Saturday Evening Post” cover emphasizing the importance of cultural and interpersonal understanding, the event will provide an afternoon of family fun with an international flavor.

Activities planned for the afternoon event include: multicultural music from A Beautiful Future; traditional kamishibai Japanese storytelling with Diane Clouet; cultural displays from BRIDGE of Great Barrington, and The Literacy Network; art-making opportunities; a display of classic 1960s automobiles by the Piston Poppers; a “Runaway”-inspired diner replica created by Lt. Thomas McNulty; and more. Norman Rockwell’s original Stockbridge studio will also be open to visitors, offering a unique look at the artist’s workspace during the year 1960, a pivotal moment in Rockwell’s life and career. The 2nd Annual World Rhythms Community Day is free for children 18 and under, and for adults with regular Museum admission.

The first reinstallation of Norman Rockwell’s Stockbridge Studio, “A Day in the Life” recreates, detail by detail, the interior of the artist’s space as it was in 1960 when Rockwell was working on his iconic painting, “Golden Rule.” Beginning in 1960, on his return from travels that took him to countries in Africa, Asia and Europe, Rockwell started turning his attention to issues of civil and human rights; the exhibition will provide insights into the artist’s working environment, influences and inspirations at a pivotal moment in his career and American society and culture.

The reinstallation is made possible by archival work carried out through ProjectNORMAN, a 10-year archiving and digitization effort that links the Museum’s archival materials with works of art and various periods in the artist’s long career.