DAYTON, OH.- The Focus Exhibition Norman Rockwell: Stories of Emotion opened at the Dayton Art Institute and will be on view through February 13, 2022. This intimate exhibition features a dozen original works by America’s most beloved illustrator.

A master at picturing the poignant moment that can tell a complete story, Norman Rockwell has long been celebrated for his humor and artistic skill.

“Rockwell was a master at expressing emotion and telling stories through his art. Seeing his original paintings and drawings just brings home what a remarkably talented artist Rockwell was, and what a treat it is to have these works available to share with our community,” said Jerry N. Smith, DAI Chief Curator and Director of Education.

A talented artist with a keen eye for detail, Rockwell was America’s premier illustrator for more than six decades. Before television, Rockwell’s colorful and entertaining images came into people’s homes as story illustrations and on covers for periodicals such as American Magazine and The Saturday Evening Post. While few saw his original art, Rockwell became a household name beginning in the 1920s through reproductions of his work, which also appeared on advertisements, posters and calendars.

The featured works in Norman Rockwell: Stories of Emotion—including 12 original paintings and drawings, three lithographs and other Rockwell-related items—highlight the artist’s ability to express emotion to showcase universal human themes. Additional works by other artists help put Rockwell’s work in a broader, art-historical context.

“We’re thrilled to bring original works by Norman Rockwell back to the Dayton Art Institute,” said DAI Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger. “This exhibition, along with the upcoming Special Exhibition Ralston Crawford: Air + Space + War and the museum’s other Focus Exhibitions, will offer the community a wonderful activity for the holiday season.”

Support for this exhibition is provided by PATRON SPONSORS The Berry Family Foundation and Charles D. Berry; SUPPORTING SPONSORS Bethany Village, Martha & Mark Shaker and University of Dayton; with ADDITIONAL SUPPORT from the Linda Black-Kurek Family Foundation, Premier Health and Taft/.

Norman Rockwell: Stories of Emotion is one of several exhibitions the DAI will present this fall.

Current Focus Exhibitions include Photography Through Time, on view through October 31; Spotlight on Africa: Gifts from Dianne Komminsk, on view through November 14; Formless Form V: The Calligraphy of Ronald Y. Nakasone, on view through January 2, 2022; and Beyond the Woodblock, on view through March 6, 2022.

The major Special Exhibition Ralston Crawford: Air + Space + War opens on Saturday, October 30 and will be on view through January 23, 2022. The Focus Exhibition Within Reach of All: Early Dayton Photography opens November 19 and will be on view through February 6, 2022.