News & Events

The Perrel Art Gallery, made possible through the generosity of the Allen E. Perrel family, is a cornerstone of the visual arts at the John H. Tucker, Jr. Arts Center, with an important role to play in the educated life for which Norfolk Academy prepares its students.  

Perrel Gallery features revolving exhibits of the work of professional artists and current Norfolk Academy art students. As opportunities arise, students are invited to serve as co-curators for selected exhibitions.

The opening exhibit for 2026-27, the Year of Purpose on campus, is titled Rethinking Rockwell's Four Freedoms, a famous 1943 series of oil paintings inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union address. Published in the Saturday Evening Post, the artwork visually translated core democratic values into everyday American scenes to encourage support of the World War II war effort.

For this exhibit, curator Betsy DiJulio invited artists with varied visions and voices to share their contemporary perspectives on these freedoms. The result is not political; rather a celebration of values, human rights, and the human spirit.

The exhibit opens on Tuesday, August 25, the first day of classes at NA. It continues through October 4. Classes and students are encouraged to visit the gallery any time. The general public, including parents, grandparents, and alumni, and invited to a free reception on Thursday, September 10, starting at 5:30 PM.