The Arlington Common will kick off the holidays by hosting a gallery opening for the new exhibit “Norman Rockwell’s Arlington: A Holiday Tradition” on Friday, November 18, from 5-7 PM. Village Garage Distillers will be providing refreshments.

The multimedia exhibit, curated by Arlington Common board member Don Trachte Jr, takes a nostalgic step back to a traditional 1950s Christmas, featuring cards made by Norman Rockwell, Don Trachte Sr., Gene Pelham, and other notable artists of the time, often referred to as “The Arlington Artists”. Also on display will be an original holiday Christmas recording by Bob Hope, sent to Rockwell and other friends.

The Arlington Common’s Watkins House space will be decorated for the holidays, and the exhibit will be open to the public on three consecutive Friday nights in December: December 2, December 9 and December 16 from 5-7 PM. These evenings will also include a mini-Christmas market featuring local shops, including The Village Peddler & Chocolatorium and Rablogan Castle of Scotland, Vermont Macrame, among others. The Arlington Common will also host a family day on Saturday, December 17 from 1-3 PM.