Stockbridge - Museum director Laurie Norton Moffatt was honored at the recent meeting of the board of trustees of the Norman Rockwell Museum held on December 6, 2002. Under the guidance of President Lee Williams, the board commemorated Norton Moffatt's 25 years of service to the Museum.
Norton Moffatt has served as director of the Norman Rockwell Museum since 1986. She began her career with the Museum in 1977 at its previous location at the Old Corner House in Stockbridge. One year later, Norton Moffatt was named Museum researcher; she was appointed curator in 1981.
Norton Moffatt is the author of Norman Rockwell: A Definitive Catalogue, the encyclopedic compendium of the artist's oeuvre, which was published in 1986. That same year, she was named Director of the new facility at Linwood, when plans were underway for the moving and expansion of the Museum to its current location, in a building designed by renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern.
On November 1, 1986, the board of trustees named Norton Moffatt director of the Museum. Norton Moffatt spearheaded the funding and construction of the Museum's $9.2 million facility, which opened in April 1993. Since then, the Museum has undergone consistent growth in attendance and an ambitious expansion into the exhibition of the works of other leading illustrators. With an average of 200,000 visitors annually, it is one of America's most popular museums, and was awarded accreditation by the American Association of Museums in 1997.
In recent years, Norton Moffatt has broadened the vision of the museum beyond its gallery walls. A highly successful national tour, "Norman Rockwell: Pictures for the American People," co-curated by the Museum, elevated the work of Rockwell in the national consciousness and in the eyes of the American art establishment.
"Over the past quarter century, Laurie's unwavering devotion to the Museum-along with her management expertise and knowledge of Rockwell and his world-has preserved and promoted the art and life of one of this country's greatest artists," says board President Lee Williams. "Her tireless efforts have not only benefited this Museum, but the entire field of illustration, which has been given a tremendous outlet at Norman Rockwell Museum. All of us on the board are deeply grateful to Laurie for her uncompromising vision and constant inspiration."
Norton Moffatt is an art history graduate of Connecticut College (1978) and studied art history at Williams College (1977). She received her certificate in Museum Management from The Museum Management Institute at University of California, Berkeley (1987), and completed her PMBA at the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts (1999).
She is the recipient of an honorary doctorate of fine arts degree from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (2000). Her volunteer and community service work includes trusteeships at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center and the Upper Housatonic Valley Historical Heritage; a corporator of The Berkshire Museum and Berkshire Bank, and a member of Olana's National Advisory Committee. She resides in Stockbridge with her husband, Craig, and daughter, Leigh.
Officers for the board of trustees are Lee Williams, president and COO, Country Curtains, Inc., president; Michelle Gillett, poet/writer and educator, first vice president; Perri Petricca, president of Unistress, Petricca Industries, second vice president; Steven Spielberg, film director, third vice president; James W. Ireland, president, NBC TV stations, treasurer; and Mark Selkowitz, president, Mark Selkowitz Insurance Agency, LLC, clerk. The board of trustees currently has 27 members.
The Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge, accredited by the American Association of Museums, is dedicated to education and art appreciation, inspired by the legacy of Norman Rockwell. Founded in 1969 with the assistance of Molly and Norman Rockwell, the Museum, located on Route 183 in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, preserves and exhibits the world's largest collection of original Rockwell art, as well as changing exhibitions of other notable illustrators.
Set on a 36-acre scenic landscape overlooking the Berkshire Hills, the Museum is open daily, year-round, except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. From May through October, Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From November through April, weekday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; holiday and weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Norman Rockwell's Stockbridge studio, filled with his furnishings, library, and travel mementos, is located on the Museum grounds and is open from May through October.
For more information, the public is invited to call the Museum at 413-298-4100, ext. 220, and to visit the Museum's Web site at www.nrm.org.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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