Is there an American artist more iconic than Norman Rockwell?
Did you know Norman Rockwell was from Massachusetts? Me either. What I do know is that, as a child, I spent countless hours staring at old Saturday Evening Posts that he was commissioned to paint. His work always resonated with me and spoke volumes about an era, that to me, has always seemed very Pleasantville-like. Hmmm, maybe the early seeds for this blog were planted looking through those old magazines. Needless to say, high on my list for a trip to Massachusetts would be a trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.
Of course, Massachusetts has more than just Norman Rockwell to offer when it comes to the arts. In fact, instead of the Bay State, Massachusetts could be called the Art State with a vast array of art towns and villages throughout the area. Museums, galleries, art centers, and festivals dot the landscape, adding to the rich fabric of Massachusetts’ culture – past, present, and future.
High on the list of must-see art centres would be The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) located in North Adams. Opened in 1999, Mass MoCA has quickly become a leader for making and showing the best art of our time. From their site, “More than 80 major new works of art and more than 50 performances have been created through fabrication and rehearsal residencies in North Adams, making MASS MoCA perhaps the most fertile site in the country for new art.”
If you’re more moved by the written word, then a visit to the Emily Dickinson Museum would probably be right up your alley. One of America’s foremost poets, you can learn more about her reclusive and introverted lifestyle in Amherst.
Finally, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has the world’s best inside it’s doors. For a full look at the collections it offers, take a peek here. In addition, the Museum of Fine Arts offers ever-changing exhibitions!
From festivals, to outdoor activities, mouthwatering food and now the arts, Massachusetts really does have it all there. What are you going to do first?
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