Norman Rockwell Museum covers The Art of "The New Yorker"

12:00AM / Thursday, May 26, 2005Print Story | Email Story

"The Art of 'The New Yorker': Eighty Years in the Vanguard" on view June 11 through October 31, 2005 Stockbridge - You may not be able to judge a book by its cover, but the reverse is true for a magazine. A magazine's cover broadcasts its personality and the rest of the issue backs it up. On June 11 a fascinating new exhibition of cover art, organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum, will make its debut at the museum dedicated to Rockwell and illustration art. "The Art of 'The New Yorker': Eighty Years in the Vanguard" features over 130 original works of art created for the covers of the venerable "New Yorker," from the magazine's launch in 1925 to today. "The New Yorker" is the only remaining wide-circulation publication that still relies on freestanding illustrated covers. Each week, readers eagerly anticipate the arrival of the latest issue and the art on its cover. The exhibition presents a snapshot of eight decades of culture and art, business and politics, as portrayed on "The New Yorker's" covers. The magazine's mission is "to report and reflect on the world at large with wit, sophistication, and originality" and its distinctive covers have become a meaningful part of America's cultural dialogue. Guest curator FranÃ§oise Mouly, art editor at "The New Yorker," is responsible for selecting the cover illustrations. "It's the quality of the visual comment that makes a cover feel like a 'New Yorker' cover," says Mouly. "The fact that it actually has something to say and says it so well. Putting drawings on the cover of 'The New Yorker' keeps artists at the center of the cultural dialogue, and I can't think of a better place for them to be." The exhibition was organized for the Norman Rockwell Museum by Stephanie Plunkett, curator of illustration art. It features a lively examination of related themes, including "The History of 'The New Yorker;'" "Creating the Art of the 'New Yorker'," an exploration of how the covers are created, selected, and scheduled; "The Big City;" "The New Millennium;" "The Arts;" "The Oscars;" "Love and Romance;" "Weddings;" "Mother's Day;" "Summer;" "Thanksgiving;" "American Storytellers: Norman Rockwell and Saul Steinberg," a comparison of the art of two quintessential cover artists--Rockwell and his work for "The Saturday Evening Post" (he never created illustrations for "The New Yorker," but was a subscriber) and "New Yorker" artist Saul Steinberg. "Norman Rockwell called 'The Saturday Evening Post''the greatest show window in America for an artist,'" says Laurie Norton Moffatt, director of the Norman Rockwell Museum. "The same holds true for artists whose work appears on the cover of 'The New Yorker.'They comment on our changing world each week with images that are seen by millions-revealing the look, the manners, and the mores of each passing scene. It's an amazing journey through time, with a decidedly New York-centric view." "The Art of The New Yorker: Eighty Years in the Vanguard" features the work of 63 artists from the present to the past; Charles Addams, Constantin AlajÃ¡lov, Peter Arno, Istvan Banyai, Perry Barlow, Gary Baseman, Abe Birnbaum, R.O. Blechman, Harry Bliss, Barry Blitt, Roz Chast, RaÃºl ColÃ³n, Will Cotton, R. Crumb, Jacques de Loustal, Peter de SÃ¨ve, Eric Drooker, Ian Falconer, Floc'h, Tibor Gergely, Arthur Getz, Carter Goodrich, Helen Hokinson, Rea Irvin, William Joyce, Ana Juan, Maira Kalman, Bruce Eric Kaplan, Illonka Karasz, Edward Koren, Anita Kunz, Gary Larson, David Macaulay, Mariscal, Charles E. Martin, Lorenzo Mattotti, Bruce McCall, Richard McGuire, Ever Meulen, FranÃ§oise Mouly, R. Kenton Nelson, Christoph Neimann, Philippe Petit-Roulet, Mary Petty, Michael Roberts, Marc Rosenthal, Charles D. Saxon, J.J. SempÃ©, R. Sikoryak, Gretchen Dow Simpson, Owen Smith, Edward Sorel, Art Spiegelman, William Steig, Saul Steinberg, James Stevenson, Wayne Thiebaud, Adrian Tomine, Mark Ulriksen, BenoÃ®t van Innis, Chris Ware, and Gahan Wilson. The exhibition has been generously sponsored by BerkshireBank. For over 150 years, BerkshireBank and its employees have sponsored the Berkshire community through education, human services and the arts. BerkshireBank is proud to continue the tradition by supporting "The Art of The New Yorker: Eighty Years in the Vanguard." Additional support has been provided by Jean J. and Georgeanne Rousseau and Mary and Robert Carswell. About The Exhibition Every Picture Tells A Story: A Visual History of "The New Yorker" No noteworthy subject or scandal has escaped the scrutiny of "The New Yorker's" astute visual commentators over the decades. This lively look back at cover history will trace the incarnations of subject and style over the past 80 years. Art deco images from the 1920s, storytelling pictures of the 1930s and 1940s, modernist interpretations from the 1960s and 1970s, and the topical perspectives of the late- 20th-century reflect upon a changing world. Popular and recurring "New Yorker" cover themes in this part of the exhibition explore life in "The Big City," "Summer," "Thanksgiving," "Love and Romance," "Weddings," "Mother's Day," "The Oscars," and "The Arts." The New Millennium at "The New Yorker" The beginning of the 21st century has offered provocative, eye-opening, and humorous material for "New Yorker" artists who have examined everything from politics, war and world-changing events to passing fads and relationships. This part of the exhibition includes original cover art created in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, and a series of covers focusing on the war in Iraq. Creating the Art of "The New Yorker" "New Yorker" artists and editors have an opportunity - indeed, a mandate - to express personal viewpoints. Explore how individual artists respond differently, sometimes drastically so, to the same thematic assignment for a "New Yorker" cover. This section of the exhibition traces an art editor's and illustrator's creative process from cover concept to finished illustration, includes an editorial calendar, and takes a peek at the decision making process at the magazine. American Storytellers: Norman Rockwell and Saul Steinberg The cover art of Norman Rockwell and Saul Steinberg has touched the hearts and minds of millions of 20th century readers. Here, their unique approaches to visual storytelling on the covers and pages of the nation's most prominent publications are compared and contrasted, as are the publications that made them famous - "The Saturday Evening Post" and "The New Yorker." Special Events Family Opening Day Saturday, June 18, 1 to 4 p.m. Get ready for some comic relief! Comedy for Kids Day explores the art of humor in "The Art of The New Yorker: Eighty Years in the Vanguard." Family tours, hands-on art making, and a laugh-a-minute performance by Mr. Magichead will be fun for all! New York, New York Opening Night Dance Party Saturday, June 18, 6 to 11 p.m. Join us for a festive evening on June 18 with the art and artists of "The New Yorker." Opening remarks will be given at 6:30 p.m. by "New Yorker" art editor, author, and guest curator FranÃ§oise Mouly, who will introduce the artists present. This will be followed by a fabulous dance party on the Museum's terrace. Reservations/ticket sales: 413-298-4121, ext. 221. Exhibition-Related Programs The Museum will remain open Thurday evenings in July and August, and will present a special program each Thursday afternoon at 5:30. There will be lectures by well-known New Yorker artists, and theatrical and musical performances about New York. A New York State of Mind Lecture and Performance Series Free with Museum admission. "Comic Genius: An Evening with Harry Bliss" Thursday, July 7, 5:30 p.m. Spend an evening with beloved New Yorker cartoonist and cover artist, Harry Bliss. The artist's illustrated children's books include "The New York Times" bestsellers, "A Fine, Fine School" and "Diary of a Worm." "Keen Observer: An Evening with Bruce McCall" Thursday, July 14, 5:30 p.m. Artist and writer Bruce McCall is a regular contributor to "The New Yorker" and "Vanity Fair." Mr. McCall is the author of "Zany Afternoons," "Thin Ice," "All Meat Looks Like South America," and "Last Dream-O-Rama." "Graphic Wit: An Evening with Marc Rosenthal" Thursday, July 21, 5:30 p.m. Enjoy a conversation with "New Yorker" artist Marc Rosenthal, whose illustrations have appeared in books for children, including "The Absentminded Fellow" and "The Runaway Beard." "Master Storyteller: An Evening with Peter de SÃ¨ve" Thursday, July 28, 5:30 p.m. Meet "New Yorker" contributor Peter de SÃ¨ve, whose illustrations have appeared in "Time," "Newsweek," and "Atlantic Monthly," among others. His credits also include character designs on "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "The Prince of Egypt," "Mulan," "A Bug's Life," "Tarzan," and "Ice Age." An Evening of Theater "New York Story: The Building of the Brooklyn Bridge" Thursday, August 4, 5:30 p.m. Step back in time with actress Susan Buchholz as the legendary Emily Warren Roebling, the woman behind the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. An Evening of Music "New York, New York: Broadway Show Tunes" Thursday, August 11, 5:30 p.m. Feel the magic of Broadway in the Berkshires as Vikki True and friends bring popular show tunes to life. An Evening of Theater "New York Story: Here Lies Dorothy Parker" Thursday, August 18, 5:30pm An early New Yorker contributor, Dorothy Parker was well-known for both her wit and her poetry. Join us for this captivating one-woman show by singer Niki Lee, who chronicles Ms. Parker's life through story and song. An Evening of Music "Songs of New York: The Jeanne Lauren Trio" Thursday, August 25, 5:30pm Get into a New York state of mind during this special musical tribute to "The Big Apple" by Jeanne Lauren, Terry a la Berry, and John Sauer, from Downtown to 42nd Street, and more! "Funny Ladies: 'The New Yorker's' Greatest Women Cartoonists and Their Cartoons" Saturday, October 8, 5:30 p.m. Join Liza Donnelley for this upbeat look at "The New Yorker's" talented female humorists, who have depicted the key social issues of their times. Ms. Donnelley is the author of "Funny Ladies," an anthology of "New Yorker" cartoons to be published by Prometheus Books this fall. A book signing will follow. "The Art of Cartooning: An Evening with Edward Koren" Saturday, October 22, 5:30 p.m. Step into the world of internationally acclaimed cartoonist Edward Koren, whose instantly recognizable monsters (and other creatures) never fail to delight. The Norman Rockwell Museum is a proud participant in the American Traditions Festival that highlights a vast range of historical and contemporary aspects of America. In the Berkshires' largest-ever event of its kind, cultural, arts, historical venues, and fine dining and lodging establishments countywide present an array of offerings based on America's rich and varied heritage. Coordinated with the help of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, the 2005 festival features performances, dance, artwork, exhibitions and lodging and dining specials, including the first-ever Not-So-Fast Food Festival. For additional information, visit www.berkshiresarts.org The Norman Rockwell Museum is dedicated to art appreciation and education through new scholarship that illuminates Norman Rockwell's unique contributions to art, society, and popular culture. As a center devoted to the art of illustration, the Museum also exhibits the works of contemporary and past masters in an ongoing series of compelling artist showcases. Previous exhibitions at the Museum have presented the work of Charles Schulz, Winslow Homer, Howard Pyle, J.C. Leyendecker, Maxfield Parrish, Rockwell Kent, Al Hirschfeld, Robert Weaver, and others. Set on a picturesque 36-acre estate in the hometown of America's favorite artist, the Norman Rockwell Museum is one of the crown jewels of the Berkshires. Norman Rockwell Museum is open daily. General public admission is $12 for adults, $7 for students, and free for visitors 18 and under (four per adult). "Kids Free Every Day" is a gift to families from Country Curtains and the Red Lion Inn. On Wednesdays from November to May, senior citizens are admitted at half-price. The Museum is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May through October; from November through April, weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekend/holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gallery tours are available daily, beginning on the hour. Antenna Audio Tour of select paintings from the Museum's permanent Norman Rockwell collection is available. Rockwell's studio, located on the Museum grounds, is open May through October. For more information, the public is invited to call 413-298-4100, ext. 220. Visit the Museum's Web site at www.nrm.org.

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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

02:13PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."

The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School.

The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday.

The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season.

The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations.

"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.

"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."

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