From roughly 1920 to 1960, Arlington was home to an influential community of artists whose work shaped our image of America. Led by Norman Rockwell, these artists produced hundreds of illustrations for major magazines like The Saturday Evening Post, ads for major corporations and influential public service campaigns.

A new historical exhibit at the Canfield Gallery chronicles these artists and their friendships as well as the local residents who served as their models. In addition, reproductions of Norman Rockwell's famous paintings of the Four Freedoms will be on display. These paintings were the centerpiece of a national campaign to support the cost of World War II through the sale of War Bonds. The exhibit explains how the Arlington residents who modeled for the paintings helped raise the equivalent of more than a billion dollars by touring the country promoting the bonds.

The exhibit was curated by Don Trachte Jr., a Rockwell model and son of Don Trachte, one of the Arlington models who drew the famous Henry cartoon strip for more than 50 years. It runs from June 30th to August 15th, with an opening reception on Saturday, June 30th, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. The gallery will also be open following a reunion of Rockwell models at Arlington Memorial High School on July 7th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
THe Canfield Gallery is located in the Martha Canfield Library, 528 East Arlington Rd. For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/TheCanfieldGallery/ or call The Martha Canfield Library at 802-375-6153.