S.O.S. FOR ANN NORTON SCULPTURE GARDENS FUNDING
Save Our Studio Campaign Invites Voters to Think Big Like Ann Weaver Norton
(WEST PALM BEACH, FL) This morning, leadership at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens (ANSG) invited the community to “Think Big” and join them in an online popular vote for a share of $2 million in funding from Partners in Preservation (PIP.) In its 13th year, the joint effort by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, American Express and National Geographic will award a portion of preservation funding to sites which receive the most online votes between September 24 and October 29, 2019. Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens was one of 20 sites selected throughout the US and the only site in Florida to compete for the funding.
In honor of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, this year PIP focused its site selection with a special emphasis on historic places that celebrate the contributions of women in communities across America.
“We are so excited to be one of the sites selected to compete this year out of more than 200 applicants across the country,” said Sara McCann, member of the board of trustees for ANSG. “We are incredibly proud to have this national platform to call attention to not only Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, but also local, regional and Florida preservation efforts – especially as they relate to women!”
ANSG has applied for $150,000 to match a grant the organization secured to restore Ann Norton’s studio where she created the monumental sculptures showcased within the ANSG two-acre sanctuary.
“At a time when women were just granted the right to vote, Ann Norton was a petite Southerner who left the comfort of Alabama to attend college, and head to New York City to study and create art during the Great Depression,” continued McCann. “Now, nearly 80 years after marrying Ralph Norton and calling this beautiful waterfront address her home, gardens and artist studio, Ann’s environmental and cultural impact are carried on as we invite the public to join us in thinking big.”
The funds are targeted to restore the windows and doors of Ann’s studio as a way to preserve her art that is still stored there, and her almost tangible presence in that space. It is said that she found so much inspiration and solace there as an artist, and visitors to her Gardens have an opportunity to view the space where she created much of the art showcased among the palms and rare cycads. To participate in the voting, the public can visit www.VoteYourMainStreet.org/WestPalmBeach or text MAINSTREET to 52886 (Message and data rates may apply.) Voters can log on once daily through October 29 and cast up to five votes daily for Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens.
“Look around you,” said Cynthia Kanai, CEO for ANSG. “Ann Norton was not only a visionary, but she also created these larger-than-life artistic works. We want to think like Ann Norton, and ‘think big’ that we can win this grant with the public’s help! We are encouraging voters to share this extraordinary opportunity with their family and friends — as an exciting platform for artists, women, environmentalists, preservationists, history buffs, those who love nature and gardens – and especially for West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County and Florida residents to call attention to the culture and history right here in our backyard.”
As a thank you to the community and to celebrate the Partners in Preservation grant opportunity, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens will kick off its season with a FREE community open house on Saturday, October 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For one day only, the public can step through the garden gates free of charge to experience garden and exhibition tours, refreshments in the courtyard, music and some special surprises. Visitors will be encouraged to THINK BIG as Ann Weaver Norton did by voting on site to help the Gardens save the studio.
The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Inc. is a non-profit foundation established in 1977 by resident sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-1982). An urban sanctuary of almost two acres, the compound comprises Norton’s historic house with exhibition galleries, her studio, monumental sculptures and tropical gardens of rare palms and cycads.
Located at 253 Barcelona Road in the historic El Cid neighborhood of West Palm Beach, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is open* Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Normal admission is free for members, $15 for non-member adults, $10 for seniors (age 65 and older), $7 for students, and children under five are free. Special event pricing will vary. Master Garden Talks are available at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. Exhibition Tours are available at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. The Gardens are also available for private events and are closed on major holidays.
*Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens officially reopens to the public on October 2, 2019 but is available by appointment only ahead of that date. Please call 561-832-5328 to schedule an appointment. For more information, please visit www.ansg.org or call 561-832-5328.