(STOCKBRIDGE, Mass.) – Maurice “Pops” Peterson will discuss his “Reinventing Rockwell” series of artworks at Norman Rockwell Museum on Thursday, July 30, 2015, at 5:30pm. Recently honored at the Northeast Regional Conference on Fair Housing and Civil Rights, Peterson will detail how his work reimagined the art of Norman Rockwell to reflect the realities and diversity of today’s American scene. Peterson, who describes the talk as a “true story of ghosts and miracles, presented with nearly scores of illustrations,” will also discuss his artistic journey from graphic designer and writer to the world of fine art.

Maurice “Pops” Peterson began his artistic pursuits as a painting major at the High School of Music and Art, with further studies at Pratt Institute and Columbia University. For many years Peterson wrote for such publications as Andy Warhol’s Interview, Essence Magazine, The Village Voice, and New York Times. He also authored stage plays as well as television and screenplays, including the 1982 film, “Homework,” starring Joan Collins, and created the world’s first telephone soap opera, “Dial-A-Soap!” with Jon Rupp.

Since 2005, Peterson has been the owner and general manager of SEVEN salon.spa, with his husband, Mark Johnson. After nearly twenty years as a web designer and layout artist, his debut solo exhibition, New Frontiers in Pop Art, was presented at Lauren Clark Fine Art in Great Barrington in 2014. He was named the first Artist in Residence of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination for 2015-2016.

Sponsored by Ungar Foundation, the event is presented as part of the museum’s summer series of talks and performances held on Thursday evenings; admission is free for museum members or with regular museum admission. Reservations are recommended by contacting the Museum at 413.931.2221 or programs@nrm.org.