Norman Rockwell was a prolific artist who produced more than 4,000 original works during his career.

He's perhaps best known for his iconic illustrations of American culture that he created for the covers of the Saturday Evening Post. Rockwell illustrated his first cover in 1916 when he was 22 years old.

In addition to the 323 weekly magazine covers he created over 47 years, Rockwell illustrated snapshots of American life — a young boy riding in a train car, baseball players, a grandfather and grandson overlooking the sea coast. His images "Rosie the Riveter" and "No Swimming" are synonymous with early 20th century American life.

Writer Mark Twain equally represents American culture. Twain's novels "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" are also considered classics by many.

So when book publisher George Macy asked Rockwell to illustrate these Twain novels in 1935, it was a match made in American history.

And now Rockwell's illustrations of Twain's novels can be viewed locally.

Sixteen signed limited-edition prints from Rockwell's own collection will be on display at the Greenville Museum of Art Thursday through Feb. 25. An opening reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. the day the exhibition opens.

Tom Daly, curator of education at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Ma., will speak at 6 p.m. Thursday about Rockwell's contribution to American art.

The Norman Rockwell Museum has 10 traveling exhibitions in addition to its permanent collection.

"This (GMA) exhibition is a nice choice for this museum in that it conveys to the public that there is something here for them to see," said GMA Executive Director David Shankweiler.

Shankweiler became executive director when Barbour Strickland retired from the position at the end of July.

Shankweiler's name may sound familiar, too. His brother, Steve Shankweiler, has been offensive coordinator for the East Carolina University football team for the last 12 years.

"My nephew is a senior on the team too," Shankweiler said. "It was one of the major reasons I really looked at the job. They always talked very fondly about Greenville."

Shankweiler will attend the reception Thursday as well.

The Greenville Museum of Art's "Norman Rockwell's Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry" will display eight prints from the Twain books. The prints are artist's proofs — an impression taken during the printmaking process that is identical to the original numbered copies — given to Rockwell by the publisher. In the lower left corner, a pencil "AP" denotes the print is an artist's proof.

"These are not just prints that anyone could buy," Shankweiler said. "They have a historic significance that makes them very rare."

What also makes these prints so rare is that much of Rockwell's original work was destroyed when his studio caught fire in 1943.

Before Rockwell illustrated Twain's novels, he visited Hannibal, Mo., where the books were based.

"Rockwell was such a fan of the stories," Shankweiler said. "He traveled to see the houses and the fence and that sort of stuff."

The details make Rockwell's illustrations a keen reflection of American culture.

"I think people will be interested in seeing this show because it's about Huck Finn ," Shankweiler said.

The Rockwell show and exhibitions like it are also about changing the perception of the Greenville museum, as well — that art isn't just about fine art.

"Sometimes you have to bend the rules of what fine art is," Shankweiler said. "We are attempting to have things that people want to see.

"People need to come and be enriched, open their eyes a little more."

If you Go!

What: "Norman Rockwell's Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn"

When: Thursday through Feb. 25. An opening reception will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday.

Where: The Greenville Museum of Art

Cost: Free

Call: 758-1946

Features writer Kelley Kirk-Swindell can be reached at 329-9596 or kkirkswindell@coxnc.com.