Good Intentions: Re-Imagining Rockwell’s Boy Scouts is a group exhibition presented at SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS, curated by Andrew Pogany and Ben Lee Ritchie Handler. The exhibitionwill feature original works by local artists who have sought to re-examine a selection of Norman Rockwell’s Boy Scout illustrations in meaningful, provocative, and socially relevant ways.

For sixty years, Rockwell (1894 – 1978) contributed idyllic depictions of scout life to the publications of the Boy Scouts of America. Though immensely popular, these works were dismissed by serious art critics as idealistic, sentimental, and even bourgeois. Rockwell’s artwork embraces a particular vision of the so­-called American Dream, one that advocates a strong nostalgia for the good ol’ days, when white hegemony in America was generally unthreatened.

Lusting for a real America that perhaps only existed in Rockwell’s creations, some figures today are still resistant to acknowledge and accept the reality of contemporary lifestyles, sexual orientations, belief systems and practices. The presence of silenced scandals within previously heralded institutions that traditionally represented American ideals indicates that no relic from the conventional version of Americana is beyond scrutiny.

Programming for Good Intentions will be held in conjunction with Free Arts for Abused Children (FreeArts.org), a local non­-profit that provides arts programs to children who have experienced abuse, neglect, poverty, and homelessness. A limited­ edition print catalogue and e­-catalogue will be released in conjunction with the exhibition. Net proceeds from the sale of artwork and catalogues will be donated to Free Arts.

Contributing artists include: Alika Cooper, Alison Blickle, Benjamin Lord, Christine Wang, Club Paint, Davida Nemeroff, Duane Paul, Eric Beltz, Eric Yahnker, Fay Ray, Frohawk Two Feathers, Hisham Bharoocha, Jason Hanasik, Keith Boadwee, Kime Buzzelli, Lewis Mauk, Liz Craft, Melissa Huddleston, Noah Davis, Simmons & Burke, Todd Tourso, Tofer Chin, and Vanessa Prager.

Special thanks to all the Artists, Casita del Campo, Erich Koyama, Flaunt Magazine, Graphaids, Modelo, Phil Hoelting, and Trader Joe’s for your services, support and assistance in making the exhibition and its related programming possible.