ANN NORTON SCULPTURE GARDENS SUPPORTERS WELCOME NEW INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gardens Conservancy chair and luncheon hostess, Frances Fisher, announces Conservancy’s 2015 plans
(PALM BEACH) – The beautiful gardens at the home of Frances and Jeffrey Fisher provided the perfect backdrop for a welcome luncheon on recently for Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens’ new interim executive director, Karen Steele. Steele joined more than 40 guests of Gardens Conservancy Founding Chairman Frances Fisher to say hello to new and old friends of the Gardens and to hear about 2015 plans for the Gardens Conservancy.
Steele accepted the leadership position at the Gardens at the end of January and is responsible for overall strategy and operations for the 1.7-acre property in downtown West Palm Beach, including oversight of its art, gallery and garden, financial development, human resources, programming and execution of its mission. She addressed the luncheon group and acknowledged Mrs. Fisher’s gracious welcome.
“It is a great privilege to honor the important legacy of Ann Norton through this very special garden and historic home,” said Steele. “Thank you to Frances for hosting this beautiful event and to all of you for such a warm welcome. I am delighted to be working with a great staff, a wonderful board of committed trustees, a dedicated executive committee, the community-minded patrons of the Gardens Conservancy, the Gentlemen of the Garden and all of the Gardens’ donors, members and volunteers to explore continued opportunities for the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. We are lucky to have such wonderful partners in sharing Ann Norton’s story and vision with our community and I am excited about the possibilities for our future.”
The historic Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Inc. is a recognized 501 (c) (3) operating foundation, established in 1977 by the prominent sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-1982). Launched just last year, the Gardens Conservancy is a group of supporters dedicated to honoring Norton’s legacy by cultivating creative community partnerships to enhance educational programs and cultural awareness of the Gardens, and implementing exciting horticultural projects to maintain the garden as a vibrant feature of the community.
“I’ve been privileged to play a role in the formation of the Gardens Conservancy,” said Mrs. Fisher. “Karen’s new addition to the Gardens marks the beginning of a new and wonderful chapter in Ann’s story and simply adds to the exciting momentum of our Conservancy efforts. Last season, we released the first biography of Ann Norton, Monumental Dreams, and author Caroline Seebohm shared her insights at our first Conservancy event. This season on Tuesday, March 31, the Conservancy will hold its second annual luncheon, ‘Beyond the Gardens Gates.’ Our March event gives us the opportunity to further the history of Ann Norton by debuting a very unique art exhibition of carefully conserved works in pastel and charcoal that reflect the gateway to her works in wood and brick that are realized as the monumental sculptures that preside throughout the Gardens today. We’ll also have rarely seen photographs, letters and communications that reflect Ann’s journey.”
Mrs. Fisher shared that following the Conservancy’s private luncheon, the exhibition will open to the public the first week of April. The private event will be an exclusive opportunity for Conservancy members, and donations will be accepted for the complimentary Conservancy-sponsored public event.
Conservancy members and guests attending Tuesday’s event included Sarah Benitz, Jonathan Cameron-Hayes, Theo and Stephen Hayes, Susan Keenan, Karyn Lamb, Sara McCann, Benjamin McFarland, Shelley Menin, Anne Messer, Merry O’Donnell, Jorge Sanchez, Sally Soter and Cindy Sulzberger.
For Conservancy membership information or details for the April exhibition at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, please visit www.ansg.org or call 561-832-5328. The rare palm and sculpture gardens, exhibition galleries and artist studio are located at 2051 South Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach and are currently open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.