THE EXHIBIT

THE EXHIBIT
Norman Rockwell's "Lincoln the Railsplitter" is the centerpiece of an exhibition that opens today at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown. Titled "Portrait of America: The Nation and Ohio," it includes about 90 portraits from the museum's collection. The Butler is open today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is located at 524 Wick Avenue near Youngstown State University.
MOVIES AND MORE
To mark the unveiling of "Lincoln the Railsplitter," the Butler has two special programs this weekend. The film "Norman Rockwell: Painting America" will be shown at 1 p.m. today, with "Abraham Lincoln: Preserving the Nation" following at 2:30 p.m., in Zona Auditorium in the Beecher Center Wing. On Sunday, a family day will be held with children in mind. Tours of the museum will be followed by art activities for kids. All the events are free.
TO LEARN MORE
More information about one of America's most-beloved artists, Norman Rockwell, can be found online at nrm.org, which is the official site of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass. The museum houses the world's largest and most significant collection of original Rockwell art.
CONSPIRACY THEORY?
Lincoln's portrait was placed in the Ford Gallery of the Butler art museum. A Ford was parked on Lincoln Avenue just outside the Butler. Coincidence?Yes, but there might be a joke in there somewhere, especially in light of all those similarities between the assassinations of Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy (you know, like Lincoln was shot in Ford Theatre; Kennedy was shot while riding in a Lincoln, which is made by Ford).