Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens' 'Sculpture in Motion' event returns Nov. 12

A popular event at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens will roar back Nov.12 for its sixth installment, marking one of the gardens' first events for the season.

"Sculpture in Motion," which will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., features one-of-a-kind, classic pre- and post-war vehicles in a display that captures their history and art. The event honors and celebrates local Gold Star families and veterans. It ends with the Grand Tour Parade of Cars, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic and has become a beloved feature.

"This is a showcasing of some of the world’s most award-winning and rare automobiles, in the dramatic setting of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens,” said Frances Fisher, Ann Norton Sculpture Garden board chairwoman and co-chair of Sculpture in Motion.

The event falls just days before the Nov. 17 grand reopening of the Norton House, the culmination of a three-year restoration plan that included renovating the Artist Studio. The property and its grounds are named for sculptor Ann Norton, whose husband was Norton Museum co-founder Ralph Norton.

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'Sculpture in Motion' attendees will be able to get a glimpse of some of the exterior improvements made to the Norton House while viewing the vehicles on display, which include a 1965 Lamborghini 350 GT, 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan, 1930 Cadillac V-16 Sport Phaeton, 1938 Lancia Astura Series III Tipo Bocca Pinin Farina Cabriolet and 1996 Ferrari 512 M.

Also featured will be Fisher’s 1939 Delahaye convertible, nicknamed Ruby. “We call her the poster child for Sculpture in Motion,” Fisher said. “She has been around the world and she always makes an appearance at this show.”

Many of the exhibitors are local, and the show has expanded to include collectors from other parts of the world, she said. Fourteen vehicles will be on display in the garden, with 40 taking part in the parade.

Because space is limited, the team behind "Sculpture in Motion" is very selective, Fisher said. “These vehicles are rolling art,” she noted.

Tours will be provided by automotive historians, and attendees will be able to vote for their favorite vehicles in a variety of categories, including "Most Artistic" and "Most Elegant."

The event promises some familiar faces, including Grand Marshal Donald Osborne, a classic car author, historian and host of CNBC's "Jay Leno's Garage." Noted historian John Barnes is the featured curator. Chuck Mitchell is honorary chair, and co-chairs include Sarah and Tim Benitz, Perri and Robert Bishop, Kim and Stephen Bruno, Samantha and Brendan Carroll, Frances and Jeffrey Fisher, Audrey and Martin Gruss, LinQing Yang and Cameron Lickle, and David Miller and Ray Wakefield.

Fisher said she is especially excited for Osborne’s 2 p.m. talk, “Early Landmarks in Automotive Engineering: Science and Art on the March,” which will cover the rapid advancements in automotive technology from the late 1800s through World War II.

Before the Grand Tour Parade of Cars, Gold Star families and veterans will be honored with a full color guard tribute and singing of “God Bless America.” The families and veterans then will ride in the parade, which begins at 4:15 p.m. from the main lawn and proceeds down Flagler Drive to the Flagler Memorial Bridge, south on South County Road and then west on Royal Palm Way to conclude at the Flagler Museum in a 5-mile loop that will offer free viewing for the public.

A Project 425 military vehicle will join the parade, Fisher said.

“It’s a big tie-in to history and how design of automobiles evolved over time, and technology and science and kinetic art play tremendous factors in how we present this in the gardens,” she said.

Admission for the entire day will have a special price of $30 per person. Tickets for Sculpture Gardens members and seniors are $25 each, and tickets for children 18 and younger are $12.

To buy tickets or for more information, go to www.ansg.org or call 561-832-5328.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Ann Norton's 'Sculpture in Motion' event returns Nov. 12