ANN NORTON SCULPTURE GARDENS TO PRESENT TWO-PART LECTURE SERIES ON NAMESAKE ARTIST
“An Archival View of the Life and Work of Ann Weaver Norton” to highlight the artist this Fall
(WEST PALM BEACH) 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.
“Once our visitors learn more about Ann Norton, they develop a greater appreciation for her significance as an American artist and her desire to share her monumental sculptures, the beautiful tropical gardens and her historic home and studio with the community,” said Gardens Executive Director, Karen Steele. “Marie does a wonderful job of bringing Ann’s personal and professional story to life.”
To be presented on September 24, 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.
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.
Both lectures run from 4 pm to 5 pm. There is no fee for members of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens and non-member tickets are $15 per person. 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 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 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, the Gardens are also available for private events. For tickets or more information, please visit www.ansg.org or call 561-832-5328