ANN NORTON SCULPTURE GARDENS
The historic Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Inc. is a nonprofit foundation established in 1977 by the prominent sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-1982). Located at 2051 South Flagler Drive, the 1.7 acre sanctuary is comprised of rare palm and sculpture gardens, Ann Norton’s historic home and exhibition galleries, and Norton’s own Wyeth-designed artist studio. Open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 am – 4 pm and closed on major holidays, the Gardens are also available for private events. For tickets or more information, please visit www.ansg.org or call 561-832-5328.
2015-2016 SEASON EVENTS:
2015:
Thursday, September 24 from 4-5 pm
LECTURE AND SLIDE SHOW: “An Archival View of the Life and Work of Ann Weaver Norton”
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens members, Free; non-member tickets are $15 per person
To raise awareness of Ann Norton as an artist and delve into the background of how she developed her distinctive style, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is offering a two-part lecture series on Thursday, September 24 and Thursday, October 22. Ann Norton Art Historian and Curator, Marie Scripture, will present both lectures on “An Archival View of the Life and Work of Ann Weaver Norton” inside the exhibition space of Norton’s own historic home along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. The lectures will coincide with the Garden’s current exhibition of Norton’s art, further bringing her works to life. Tickets include admission to the Gardens prior to the lecture, or a guided tour of the gardens and studio immediately following the lecture. Refreshments will also be served.
The first lecture will focus on Ann Norton’s development as an artist and her journey toward Modernism, briefly surveying her strong southern roots and artistic heritage, and then moving into her artistic studies and career in Manhattan. According to personal letters and records, Norton was befriended and influenced by some of the leading sculptors of the time including Alexander Archipenko, William Zorach, John Bernard Flannagan, Jose De Creeft, and John Hovannes during her “New York” years from 1928 through 1942.
Thursday, October 22 from 4-5 pm
LECTURE AND SLIDE SHOW: “An Archival View of the Life and Work of Ann Weaver Norton”
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens members, Free; non-member tickets are $15 per person
To raise awareness of Ann Norton as an artist and delve into the background of how she developed her distinctive style, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is offering a two-part lecture series on Thursday, September 24 and Thursday, October 22. Ann Norton Art Historian and Curator, Marie Scripture, will present both lectures on “An Archival View of the Life and Work of Ann Weaver Norton” inside the exhibition space of Norton’s own historic home along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. The lectures will coincide with the Garden’s current exhibition of Norton’s art, further bringing her works to life. Tickets include admission to the Gardens prior to the lecture, or a guided tour of the gardens and studio immediately following the lecture. Refreshments will also be served.
In her second lecture, Scripture will describe how in 1942 Ann left New York City for West Palm Beach to pursue a career and life as an artist and sculpting instructor at the Norton Gallery and School of Art. Presented on October 22, this lecture will focus on Ann Norton’s transition to her life in Florida, her work and her marriage to Ralph Norton in 1948. Working with archival material, the lecture will trace their influences on one another, personally and artistically, and examine the marriage itself; as well as Ann Norton’s full culmination of her life’s dream, realized in the monumental sculptures in the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens.
Photo credit: Photos courtesy of Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
Photo cutlines (photos attached):
AnnNorton_Lecture_Photo1: Artist Ann Norton and friend view the makings of the sculptor’s Seven Beings monument, finished and installed in the Sculpture Gardens 50 years ago. Visitors are invited to learn more about the artist in a two-part lecture series at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens this Fall.
AnnNorton_Lecture_Photo2: Experimenting with form on her journey toward Modernism, Ann Norton poses with pieces of her Seven Beings sculpture. The petite Southern artist became recognized for her oversized monumental work. Visitors can view Seven Beings and Norton’s drawings and other works at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens.
Saturday, November 28 – Sunday, December 20
HOLIDAY HO– USE
General and Festival of Trees admissions apply.
The Norton Home will be filled with treasures and holiday gifts for all of your family and friends. Extended hours during the Festival of Trees starting on December 5 from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
Friday, December 4, 7 pm – 10 pm
GALA EVENING IN THE GARDENS, FESTIVAL OF TREES
Tickets are $250 for non-members, $200 for members
The storied kick-off event for the annual Festival of Trees, the Gala is an elegant evening with guests enjoying performances by musicians, dancers, and actors and holiday refreshments that awaken the sights, sounds, tastes, smells and feel of the season. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy this enchanting holiday extravaganza with family and friends!
Sunday, December 13, 5 pm – 7 pm
CHILDREN’S GALA, FESTIVAL OF TREES
Tickets are $40 per person for both adults and children.
Start your own family Holiday Tradition and come out for the 3rd Annual Children’s Gala. This will be a night of mini-merriment, special performances, music and surprises around every turn in the garden! Child-friendly refreshments will be on hand for children and their parents (children must be accompanied by an adult.)
Saturday, December 5 – Saturday, December 12 from 6 pm – 8:30 pm daily
FESTIVAL OF TREES COMMUNITY DAYS
Admission: ANSG Members and seniors $15; Nonmember Adults $20; Children $7.
We welcome the community to delight in the magic of the Festival of Trees each evening. See what has been called the “#1 Holiday Tradition in Palm Beach County” as you explore our tropical winter wonderland. (The Gardens will host the Children’s Gala with increased ticket prices on December 13.)
Monday, December 14 – Wednesday, December 16 from 6 pm – 8:30 p.m. daily
FESTIVAL OF TREES COMMUNITY DAYS
Admission: ANSG Members and seniors $15; Nonmember Adults $20; Children $7.
We welcome the community to delight in the magic of the Festival of Trees each evening. See what has been called the “#1 Holiday Tradition in Palm Beach County” as you explore our tropical winter wonderland.
2016:
Wednesday, January 6 – Sunday, March 6 during regular business hours
“FLOWERS”
Members: Free; Non-member adults – $10, seniors (age 65 and older) – $8, children ages 5 and older – $5, children under 5 are free
The “Flowers” exhibition at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens will be arriving just in time for spring. A perfect opportunity to welcome the senses to a season of sunshine, the exhibit will feature artwork focused on flowers in a variety of media. Includes sculptures by: Edwina Sandys, Robert St Croix, Babette Bloch; includes paintings by: Patricia Nix, Mary Page Evans, Ben Schonzeit, and Edwina Sandys; and includes photography by: Dragana Connaughton and Jean Matthews.
Wednesday, March 9 – Sunday, May 15 during regular business hours
“ART IN THE FAMILY TREE”
Members: Free; Non-member adults – $10, seniors (age 65 and older) – $8, children ages 5 and older – $5, children under 5 are free
The “Art in the Family Tree” exhibition features diverse pieces from the lineage of artists in the Phipps and Guest family –including works from Susie Phipps Cochran, Rafe Cochran, Hubert Phipps, Michael Phipps and Diana Guest. Showcasing that talent, much like genetics, does run in the family, the exhibition will include sculptures, illustrations, drawings and paintings and honor Palm Beach’s ties to this family’s legacy of creativity.
