Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens opens renovated studio, names new artist-in-residence

After a year-long restoration, officials from the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens on Tuesday celebrated the reopening of the Artist Studio and named a new artist-in-residence.

“This magical space is the source of inspiration and awe for thousands every year, and will now stand as a lasting symbol of our country’s art history,” Frances Fisher, the founding chairwoman of the Gardens Conservatory at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, said during the ribbon-cutting event.

The Artist Studio is a showcase of Norton's sculptural evolution, as well as her artistic process, with original tools and materials in the space as if she had never left. Designed in 1948 as a wedding gift from her husband, Norton Museum founder Ralph Norton, the studio was where Ann Norton created the sculptures that are displayed today throughout her historic home and palm gardens.

Over the years, several storms had damaged the building, which underwent a year-long renovation by North Palm Beach-based architect Tim Hullihan and West Palm Beach-based contractor Marty Serraes. Now, the studio is watertight.

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Also, the studio's east side was given a new foundation, its roof was repaired and hurricane straps were installed on the east side. It also received new stucco, a new skylight and hurricane shutters. Hullihan and Serraes also restored the exterior of the Norton House, which was built in 1925.

Officials said the project was on time and on budget but did not disclose its final cost.

Palm Beach County officials, residents and students from U.B. Kinsey/Palmview Elementary School made up the crowd that attended the ceremony and celebration, which was formally titled "Protecting A Legacy: The Restoration of Ann Norton's Artist Studio."

Artist in residence

At the ceremony, Bradley Theodore of Miami Beach and New York City was named artist-in-residence. He sees the studio as a capsule of energy and a place of inspiration.

“It’s great to be a part of history and be able to be in another artist’s space, evoke their energy, and have my work convert into a mesh of the two,” Theodore said.

Before his large-scale murals of vibrant skeletal pop-culture icons could be viewed in galleries in Tokyo, Milan and London, he used the streets of New York City as his canvas. Before that, the walls of his childhood home. From Jan 5. to June 30, Theodore will have the opportunity to continue his work in the Artist Studio. A gallery exhibition of his work will be displayed from March 30 to June 30.

Theodore is the sculpture garden’s second artist-in-residence. Steve Hash, a contemporary artist based in California, was the first in 2019.

“When you’re around another artist’s energy or environment, it affects your art. Art is like the documentation of our existence as human beings,” he said. “Each generation has a different energy, and that is what we are casting.”

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Fisher said Theodore's drive and passion for the arts are reminiscent of Norton's.

"When he wasn't successful in the beginning pursuing different types of careers, he found his calling to the arts, and he went from street artist to fine artist," Fisher said. "We are just really proud to have him with us."

Restoration plans

The work done to the studio and the exterior of the Norton House is the first undertaking of a three-year restoration plan, Fisher said. Renovations to the interior of the historic home are scheduled to start in June and last through November 2022.

The preservation program, created to restore the entire property, also will focus on the nine sculptures that are placed throughout the gardens.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Fisher thanked the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation and the Barker Welfare Foundation for their contributions. A $287,000 state grant also helped pay for the project.

Closed from July to October, and reopened to the public Nov. 3, the renovated studio marks a new start to the season, and as Fisher said, a way to “carry the past forward,”.

rharper@pbpost.com

@rachida_harper

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens names Bradley Theodore as Artist in Residence