WEST PALM BEACH, FL - Nearly 800 people attended the sold-out Norton Museum of Art’s annual Gala on February 2, 2019. The blacktie affair celebrated the opening of the Museum’s transformative Foster + Partners-designed expansion. The museum unveiled the expansion to the public in a Grand Opening on February 9, 2019. The museum has been closed since July 16, 2018 for the project's completion and to reinstall the art for the 2019 reopening.
The 2019 Gala doubled as an annual way to celebrate the museum and to preview the Norton's extensive expansion and renovation project. Breaking ground in February 2016, the West Palm Beach art museum expansion was designed by architecture firm Foster + Partners, under the direction of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster.
The project added a new wing to the museum (2,000 square feet of new gallery space, representing an increase of 35%); reorients the Norton's entrance on South Dixie Highway, added extensive garden space that includes a sculpture garden, as well as a variety of improvements and upgrades throughout the museum. Click here to read more.
Those attending the Gala including Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster, who delivered remarks as well has honored philanthropist Ken Griffin and the Norton's Executive Director Hope Alswang for her leadership and vision throughout the three-year construction project.
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Lord Norman Foster and Ken Griffin attending Norton Museum of Art’s annual Gala on February 2, 2019. Photo: Capehart Photography. Courtesy of Norton Museum of Fine Art.
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Lisa Dennison and Hope Alswang attending Norton Museum of Art’s annual Gala on February 2, 2019. Photo: Capehart Photography. Courtesy of Norton Museum of Fine Art.
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Attending the Gala were Norton supporters and friends Ronnie Heyman, Leonard Lauder, Jane Holzer and Beth Rudin DeWoody. Artists enjoying the benefit included Nina Chanel Abney, Jenny Saville and Robb Wynne. Art professionals included Lisa Dennison, Chairman of Sotheby’s North and South America, and Adam Weinberg, Director of the Whitney Museum of American Art.
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Beth Rudin DeWoody and Rob Wynne attending Norton Museum of Art’s annual Gala on February 2, 2019. Photo: Capehart Photography. Courtesy of Norton Museum of Fine Art.
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Howard Cox, Leonard Lauder, Judy Lauder, and Adam Weinberg attending Norton Museum of Art’s annual Gala on February 2, 2019. Photo: Capehart Photography. Courtesy of Norton Museum of Fine Art.
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Guests enjoyed cocktails and explored previewing the Norton’s new wing, followed by dinner, dessert, and dancing to soulful entertainment by The Millennials. Proceeds from the evening support the Norton's exhibitions and programs.
The Gala Committee included Frances Eisenberg, Sara Fabrikant, Michelle Jacobs, Michele Kessler, Jane Korman, Nicola Marcus, Christine Stiller, Eddy Taylor, Robbi Toll, Simone Vickar. Event chairs included Lori Gendelman, Nicki Harris, Amy Phelan and Anne Reyes.
Continue scrolling to see some of the people who made the sold-out Gala a special evening.
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Rusty Holzer and Jane Holzer attending Norton Museum of Art’s annual Gala on February 2, 2019. Photo: Capehart Photography. Courtesy of Norton Museum of Fine Art.
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Ward Blum and Ronnie Heyman attending Norton Museum of Art’s annual Gala on February 2, 2019. Photo: Capehart Photography. Courtesy of Norton Museum of Fine Art.
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Jane and Leonard Korman attending Norton Museum of Art’s annual Gala on February 2, 2019. Photo: Capehart Photography. Courtesy of Norton Museum of Fine Art.
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Hope Smith, Stephanie von Guttenberg, Annabelle Garrett, Marine Kellen French attending Norton Museum of Art’s annual Gala on February 2, 2019. Photo: Capehart Photography. Courtesy of Norton Museum of Fine Art.
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Jean Sharf and Adam Sheffer attending Norton Museum of Art’s annual Gala on February 2, 2019. Photo: Capehart Photography. Courtesy of Norton Museum of Fine Art.
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Martin and Toni Sosnoff attending Norton Museum of Art’s annual Gala on February 2, 2019. Photo: Capehart Photography. Courtesy of Norton Museum of Fine Art.
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BASIC FACTS: The Norton Art Museum is located at 1450 S Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. There are currently seven exhibitions on view, including solo shows featuring art by Nina Chanel Abney and Ralston Crawford and a group show highlighting works from art collectors. Click here for details.
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