The worthiest enemy of authoritarianism is authority. But who are the authoritative heroes available to us, and to the younger generations in particular? Who speaks a truth that everyone can get behind?
In 2015, Pops Peterson debuted his “Reinventing Rockwell” photography series, which received an award from the Northeast Regional Conference on Fair Housing and Civil Rights and led to him being named the first artist in residence of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
Created in 1998 to provide educational opportunities for Southern Berkshire Regional School District students, the Eagle Fund received more than 20 applications and awarded grants to students, teachers and community members.
Pops Peterson's critically acclaimed series “Reinventing Rockwell” was driven by his mission not only to update the paintings to reflect modern-day advances, but also to show the evolution of gender roles, sexuality and ethnic diversity.
Pops Peterson has gained prominence with his critically acclaimed series, "Reinventing Rockwell," in which he is updating the iconic works of Norman Rockwell with contemporary social and political issues to celebrate the diversity of today's America.
Hate crimes do not occur because one race hates another; they occur because one person or group does not know, and is unwilling to know, another person or group. Hatred and fear are what human beings turn to when they confront the unfamiliar.
"I am re-imagining and transforming Norman Rockwell scenes with 21st-century people, 21st-century families, fashions, technology and friendships. I feel if he were alive today he would want to do exactly this. He would want us to bring the work up to date and make it vibrant once again."
-- Pops Peterson
