Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
Tucked away on a side street is a cultural gem; the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, a place the New York Times says should not be missed on your visit to West Palm Beach

The house listed on the National Register of Historic places is the former home of museum founders, Ralph & Elizabeth Norton.
The historic home, artist studio and sculpture gardens are unique in almost every way imaginable. The house contains wood and bronze sculptures, maquettes, and pastels by Ann Weaver Norton, while the gardens are home to nine monumental works by the artist. Ann Weaver, a classically trained artist, lived, studied and exhibited in New York City. In order to continue to work as an artist she needed financial stability and accepted a position in 1941 with the Norton Gallery and School of Art.
The widower Ralph Norton proposed two things to Ann Weaver, marriage to the artist he loved, and admired, and a guarantee that he would provide for her so she could continue her life's work. In 1948 she accepted both and the groundwork for the future sculptures was born.

The monumental works are quite literally indefinable. The well-traveled visitor may attribute some of Ann's influences to European architecture, Tibetan shrines, and mountain ranges in the southwest United States and her upbringing in the south. All of these gave Ann a unique perspective for her works. Eight sculptures in brick and one in Norwegian granite tower over us yet seem to hide in the luxuriant foliage of palms and tropical trees that fill the garden. In the garden, the visitor passes through time not knowing if he is looking back or forward.
The art studio reveals the most intimate look at how she progressed as an artist. Giant plaster models inhabit the studio as if standing guard waiting for her return. Works in stone, bronze, and wood (passage ways, and gateways), make known her physical strength and her strength as a sculptor.
Visitors can rest on a bench in the shade as they look and wonder why and how Ann Norton created her monumental works and realize they have truly happened upon someplace special.

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
253 Barcelona Road
West Palm Beach, Florida, 33401
Open Wed-Sun 11-4pm. Closed August
561-832-5328 or www.ansg.org