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Norton Museum of Art Hosts 70th Birthday Bash

The Norton Museum of Art is hosting a 70th Birthday Bash on February 8, 2011 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

You’re invited to a community celebration commemorating 70 years of the Norton Museum of Art! Join Chief Curator, Roger Ward, to learn about the history of the Norton Museum of Art and the legacy of our founders, Ralph Hubbard Norton and Elizabeth Calhoun Norton. Dr. Ward’s talk will feature a selection of works from the self-guided exhibition he has created for the occasion, Curators’ Choice, a self-guided exhibition featuring artworks acquired and bequeathed by Mr. and Mrs. Norton, and an equal number purchased or given by other donors since 1953. Participate in a diverse array of fun, family-friendly activities including:

Glimpse into the Norton’s history with original documents and photographs from the Museum’s grand opening in 1941

Learn from the official historian to the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, James Ponce

Marvel at vintage cars from Ragtops Palm Beach

Enjoy festive music from the number one show choir in the nation, Dimensional Harmony, as well as performances by the Dreyfoos School of the Arts Jazz Ensemble, pianist Bob Harris, Tabernacle Gospel Chorus and Women of Note Chorus.

Take this last opportunity to see van Gogh’s Self-Portrait on loan from the National Gallery of Art, Washington

Plus, local pastry chefs will design and display imaginative, Norton-inspired birthday cakes for a fun and tasty competition, with local “celebrities” serving as judges of their confectionery creations. Everyone is invited to enjoy this celebratory day which will come to a close with cake and beverages for all! FREE admission for everyone all day!

Schedule of Events:
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Museum open and free to the public
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Self guided tours and cell phone tours of Curators’ Choice exhibition
10:00 am – 2:45 pm Party hat making (Reynolds Classroom)
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Birthday Cakes created by local pastry chefs and inspired by the Norton
Museum on display (Atrium/Harris Pavilion)
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Movie playing throughout the day- Babes on Broadway (Private Dining
Room)
10:00 am – 10:30 am Performance by Tabernacle Gospel Choir (Great Hall)
10:30 am – 11:00 am Lecture by Cheryl Brutvan, Curator of Contemporary Art (Smith Gallery)
11:00 am – 11:45 am Lecture by James Ponce, Official Historian to the Palm Beach Chamber of
Commerce-The Wilderness on the Lake Bloomed (Theater)
11:30 am – 12:00 pm Lecture by Laurie Barnes, Elizabeth B. McGraw Curator of Chinese Art
(Meyer Gallery)
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm Performance by Dimensional Harmony Show Choir (Great Hall)

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Lecture by Charlie Stainback, William & Sarah Soter Curator of
Photography (Saltzman Gallery)
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm Docent Tour (meet in the Great Hall)
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Bob Harris to perform piano tunes from the 1940’s (Great Hall)
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm Lecture by Glenn Tomlinson, William Randolph Hearst Curator of
Education-Why Museum Education? (Nessel 3 Gallery)
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Women of Note a cappella group performs a Medley of 1940’s tunes
(Great Hall)
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Docent Tour (meet in the Great Hall)
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Lecture by Dr. Roger Ward, Chief Curator and Curator of European Art-
Curators’ Choice (Theater)
3:00 pm Cake Competition judging & announcement of the winner (Atrium)
Dreyfoos School of the Arts Jazz trio to perform (Atrium)
Cake, prosecco and punch available for guests (Chihuly Room)
5:00 pm Museum Closes

The Norton Museum of Art strives to preserve, develop, exhibit and interpret its outstanding permanent collection and to educate the public through special exhibitions, publications and programs. The Norton seeks to strengthen awareness of the arts in our region through encouraging participation, reaching out to improve the quality of life in all communities through appreciation of the visual arts.

The Norton Museum of Art was founded in 1941 by Ralph Hubbard Norton (1875–1953) and his wife, Elizabeth Calhoun Norton (1881–1947).

Image:THe Norton Museum of Art

Norton Museum of Art 1451 S. Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Phone: 561.832.5196 Fax: 561.659.4689

www.norton.org

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