Category:Announcement
Curated by the Norman Rockwell Museum, this exhibition delves into how illustration has influenced and mirrored societal views on race in the United States, starting from the 19th century and continuing through to today.
Imprinted: Illustrating Race — organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum alongside co-curator Robyn Phillips-Pendleton (University of Delaware) — highlights over three centuries of American illustration and the ways that mass-produced imagery has shaped and reflected racial perceptions. The exhibit juxtaposes Norman Rockwell’s impactful images from the Civil Rights era with a broad historical overview showcasing artists and illustrators such as Faith Ringgold, Emory Douglas, Howard Pyle, and Loveis Wise.
With more than 200 pieces created for various media including newspapers, magazines, books, trade cards, posters, and advertising, the Delaware Art Museum (DelArt) exhibition tracks the widespread and damaging racial stereotypes endorsed throughout history in popular print culture. Concurrently, Imprinted applauds the dedicated efforts of contemporary artists, editors, and publishers who have utilized illustration to counteract these narratives, fostering inclusive imagery that promotes equity and agency across both print and digital mediums.
The Norman Rockwell Museum assembled a national advisory board of artists and scholars during the exhibition’s planning; DelArt’s Curator of American Art, Heather Campbell Coyle, was among the advisory members and contributed to the exhibition catalog. The DelArt presentation forms part of an institutional exchange; while Imprinted is featured here, the Norman Rockwell Museum will later present DelArt’s Jazz Age Illustration from November 8, 2025, to April 6, 2026 — a creative partnership that underscores DelArt’s commitment to enhancing community engagement with art through collaboration.
Imprinted will debut at the Delaware Art Museum on October 18, 2025. The exhibition encourages visitors to engage with intricate histories, reflects on the enduring influence of imagery, and initiates discussions surrounding representation and publication. Interpretive materials, catalog essays, and a series of public programs will be available to provide context and foster dialogue.
For further details, visit delart.org.
