.
.
|
Norton Museum of ArtWith the opening of the new Gail and Melvin Nessel Wing on March 8, 2003, the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach became the largest art museum in Florida. The completion of a two-year project to expand and enhance the museum's exhibition space, educational facilities and visitor amenities increased gallery space by 75 percent, allowing the Norton's renowned collections of Chinese, European, American and Contemporary art, and photography to be continually available to the public, including works never before on display in the Norton. Named for museum benefactors Gail and Melvin Nessel, the Nessel Wing includes 14 new galleries, an elegant enclosed courtyard to accommodate a variety of educational and special events, and a glass ceiling installation commissioned from artist Dale Chihuly.
The Norton Museum of Art was founded in 1941 by Ralph Hubbard Norton (1875-1953) and his wife Elizabeth Calhoun Norton (1881-1947). For many years, Ralph and Elizabeth Norton were actively interested in fine arts and developed a sizable collection of paintings and sculpture. An industrialist who headed the Acme Steel Company in Chicago, Mr. Norton retired in 1939 to make his permanent home in West Palm Beach. Upon moving south, the Nortons decided to share their collection with the public. In 1940 the Norton Gallery and School of Art was built on property located between South Olive Avenue and South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach. Mr. Norton commissioned Marion Syms Wyeth, of the distinguished firm of Wyeth, King and Johnson, to design a building to house the collection. The stark, late Art Deco/neo-Classical building opened its doors to the public on February 8, 1941.
|
|
To Learn More:
|
 |
The 45,000-square-foot project features a cantilevered spiral staircase and dramatic three-story
atrium with architectural motifs that express the artistic statements found in the permanent
collections. The new wing, designed by Chad Floyd, FAIA, of Centerbrook Architects, Connecticut,
increases the total size of the Norton Museum of Art to 122,500 square feet, providing more space
in both new and existing galleries to display the Museum's permanent collection. Additionally, new
interactive educational kiosks are integrated throughout.
"This major expansion reinforces the Norton's position as one of the Southeast's premier art
museums -m- a 60-year-old flagship institution known for the quality of its permanent collections,
traveling special exhibitions, innovative educational programming and financial stability," says
Anne B. Smith, president of the Norton Board of Trustees. "With the opening of the new Gail and
Melvin Nessel Wing, public support has never been stronger, and we are pleased to report that the
museum has raised $34.7 of the overall $35-million building and endowment campaign goal."