Norman Rockwell at the Detroit Institute of Arts

Look at this picture. Remember what it was like to load (to bursting) the family station wagon and roar off for a long day, weekend or summer vacation? Those were the days, my friend--even taking into account seatbelt-less kids hopping around in close proximity to metal dashboards. When a gallon of gasoline cost < $0.15 and unemployment was practically nil, we thought nothing of taking protracted road trips. In 2009, though, many of us are learning to appreciate our home town and regional attractions. Staycations, "they" call these, because a catchy phrase somehow makes the devalued $ USD sound less grim.

To that end, if you are within driving distance of the Detroit Institute of Arts over Memorial Day weekend and the next week, I highly recommend catching American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell before it leaves town after May 31, 2009. Is it free to non-members? No. This is a timed, ticketed exhibition. However, it's (1) reasonably priced, as is (2) membership, and (3) offers a huge slice of Americana in (4) a lovely setting.

"Lovely?" you ask. Yes. Lovely. The DIA is one of my favorite destinations on Planet Earth. We Michiganders have certainly taken an economic beating of late, but can look with pride to our cultural institutions. However, due to severe State budget cuts, shrunken endowments, a dwindling patron base and overall population loss, we also need to look to ourselves to keep them alive. Please consider this while making your staycation plans--whether you live in the metropolitan Detroit area or anywhere that local art museums truly need your support. (Sad to say, this is the case with nearly every art museum, everywhere in the U.S.)

And one last parting thought about Mr. Rockwell: he was one hell of an artist. His technique was perfect and he--if you're paying attention--was edgy. If I read one more dismissive sentence from an art critic sniffing about how Norman Rockwell was "just an illustrator," I will be seriously tempted to force that wordsmith to create a painting we can all publicly critique. He's been dead for over 30 years now, no need to keep tediously protecting The Art World from someone that 99% of The Real World appreciates, Einstein.

(*deep breath*) So ... to recap: Support the Detroit Institute of Arts and love Norman Rockwell. Oh, and, staycations aren't the worst things human beings will ever have to endure.

Image credit:

Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978)
Going and Coming, 1947
Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, August 30, 1947
Oil on canvas
Two panels, each 16 x 31 1/2 in. (40.6 x 80 cm)
Norman Rockwell Art Collection Trust
© The Norman Rockwell Estate / ©1947 SEPS:
Licensed by Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, Indiana