GARDENS CONSERVANCY MEMBERS GATHER TO LAUNCH NEW ANN NORTON BIOGRAPHY
Sunset in the Gardens offers Conservancy supporters private reception with author, Caroline Seebohm
(WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.) – As the sun gave way to twilight over the beautiful garden setting of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens on Tuesday, April 8, members of the newly launched Gardens Conservancy were treated to a private reception and entertaining conversation with author Caroline Seebohm. “Sunset in the Gardens” marked the inaugural event to unlock the secrets of the garden through Seebohm’s “hot off the presses” biography about their namesake – Monumental Dreams: The Life and Sculpture of Ann Norton.
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. Dedicated to preserving the beauty of the Gardens, the new Gardens Conservancy has been established for ongoing education at the beloved Gardens through its community enrichment programs with school and community partnerships, horticultural programs and related cultural events.
Nearly 80 guests enjoyed a cocktail reception amongst the palms and dramatic sculptures created by Ann Norton. Hosted by Gardens Conservancy Founding Chairman Frances Fisher, the Sunset in the Gardens event provided an opportunity for Conservancy members to hear Seebohm speak about her new biography and to ask questions about artist, Southerner and West Palm Beach resident, Ann Norton.
“Like Ann, I am a native Alabamian,” said Fisher, as she welcomed Conservancy guests for the evening. “And as any good Southerner knows, there are two profound rites of passage to growing up Southern. One is a Southerner’s passion for the garden in a way that cultivates a well fed soul as much as a green thumb. The other is learning to love the art of Southern story telling. I believe Ann Norton is smiling tonight…for she’s the heroine of her own true story appropriately titled, Monumental Dreams.”
In Monumental Dreams, Seebohm tells the riveting story of how Ann Norton, a quiet and focused child of the South, left her native Alabama roots to become a sculptor in New York City. According to Seebohm, “she arrived in New York at the beginning of the Depression and she wanted to be a starving artist.”
Despite her burgeoning career, Norton found New York a difficult place to live. In search of paying work, she moved to West Palm Beach, where she became a teacher at the NortonGallery and School of Art, founded by retired Acme Steel president Ralph Hubbard Norton. Seebohm says that many of Ralph Norton’s most important pieces were purchased “under Ann’s brilliant guidance.”
The two built a relationship based on love as well as common aesthetic values, and after his death, she built her finest and most lasting work. Today, her monolithic sculptures—in the spirit of Stonehenge, Henry Moore and Buddhist temple art—can be admired just behind the magical garden gates at the AnnNortonSculptureGardens.
According to Seebohm, it was a combination of Ann’s Southern roots and inspiration from her travels after Ralph’s passing which influenced the sculptures on display at the Gardens today. “These pieces were always in her heart – probably since she was 10, and thanks to the fateful meeting of Ralph Hubbard Norton, Ann was able to finally fulfill her ‘monumental dreams.’”
The private Sunset in the Gardens event was followed by an evening reception and book signing with Seebohm for the public on April 9, also made possible by the Gardens Conservancy as part of their education and community outreach mission.
“Perhaps the most striking feature of the garden is an intangible one realized through the legacy of Ann Norton,” said Fisher, “a place where thousands every year including residents, school groups, garden and art enthusiasts, community organizations, and visitors from all over the world can experience and enjoy the beauty of these gardens and the impressions they carry with them.”
Fisher thanked the “Guardians of the Gardens,” a long list of supporters who have been instrumental in the preservation and growth of the Gardens for the past 25 years. She also recognized Conservancy Founding Members including Carolyn Blitz, Lourdes Fanjul, Susan Keenan, Karyn Lamb, David Miller, Mary Mochary, Leslie Rose, Sally Soter and Cynthia Sultzberger for their vision and early support.
“Getting to know Ann through Caroline’s book adds another dimension to the Gardens,” said Cynthia Palmieri, executive director for the AnnNortonSculptureGardens. “Her legacy has been carried on through the Guardians of the Gardens for many years, and now is receiving renewed focus through efforts of the Gardens Conservancy — committed to preserving the historic beauty of the Gardens with projects designed to reflect the ideals set forth by Ann Norton herself. I think she would be so proud of the Conservancy’ mission to open hearts and minds of all ages to the art and nature of these surroundings, cultivate creative community partnerships to enhance educational programs and cultural awareness, and implement exciting horticultural projects to maintain the garden as a vibrant feature of our community.”
The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens are currently open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. For more information about the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens or to support the new Gardens Conservancy, visit www.ansg.org or call 561-832-5238.