By Lauren Schiavone
Hometown Weekly Staff
Bob Larsen became well-known as an illustrator in Needham. A commercial artist with work in advertising and non-profit campaigns, his work spans over six decades — and as an individual involved in many local organizations including the VFW, town committees, and the Exchange Club, Larsen’s work is an all-encapsulating snapshot of town.
That work is currently on display in the schoolhouse at the Needham History Center & Museum. Executive Director Gloria Polizzotti Greis worked on refreshing the exhibit ahead of its upcoming opening reception. The exhibit has been curated over the past couple years — and now, she’s looking forward to sharing Larsen’s work and the impact he’s had, especially with his cartoons.
“When he finally retired, he gave us stacks of originals from his studio,” Greis explained. “That’s where the idea to do an exhibit came up. What I’ve done here is divided up as an introduction to Bob. We have cartoons about the history and renovating the center. He had his personas of Sid, the town cryer, and the highest ranking officer, Col. William McIntosh.”
Greis brilliantly divided the four walls of the schoolhouse into works featuring Needham’s architectural highlights, Larsen’s professional early career, other work such as book illustrations, and of course, his infamous cartoons.
“People who’ve been in town more than ten years remember them,” she says. “I hear chuckles and whispers of familiarity.” Larsen famously drew a weekly cartoon for the Needham Times. The editorial cartoon started back in the fifties. Larsen began with “Dear John…” cartoons for the Providence Journal in 1954 as a protest against the American government abandoning the Korean War POWs. Larsen also campaigned for Old Ironsides and contributed artwork to Needham’s memorial for the Fallen Brave.
Greis speaks fondly of Larsen — not just as an artist or professional, but as a friend. “The Exchange Club has benefited [from Bob’s talent and generosity] for years. He designs tee-shirts every year for the club that that are always funny; my husband and I collected over 15 over the years. He’s done so much for us, too. This rendering when we first moved into the house was a gift.”
There’s much to be discovered at the exhibit — from the aforementioned rendering to cartoons to the last Exchange Club phone book (which includes illustrations of the pansy, Needham’s town flower). It’s a must-visit for lovers of both art and Needham.
Bob Larsen’s work is currently on view at the Needham History Center & Museum. The open reception takes place on October 23 at 2 p.m. For more events and information visit https://needhamhistory.org
