Preserve Our Sanctuary
In 1977 Ann Weaver Norton had the foresight to establish a foundation: Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, seeking to preserve and conserve her historically significant home, artist studio, sculpture gardens and the architecture that comprise this unique national and local treasure. Ann lived and worked at 253 Barcelona Road, West Palm Beach for 34 years until the time of her death in 1982.
Today, nearly five decades later, Ann Norton’s vision thrives. What began as one artist’s determination to protect a quiet sanctuary of art and nature has grown into one of South Florida’s most celebrated cultural destinations.
Every gift to the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens provides valuable resources for education, conservation of the rare palm and cycad gardens, preservation of Ann Norton’s home, art and archives, and our mission to enrich lives with nature, art and history. Your support helps sustain this legacy:
Support Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
- Magnificent two-acre urban sanctuary along the Intracoastal Waterway in West Palm Beach, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a member of the prestigious Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios Program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Ann Norton, inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2019, created nine monumental sculptures in brick and granite showcased throughout the expansive gardens alongside more than 100 works in bronze, cedar, and plaster displayed in the historic home and artist studio
- One of the largest collections of rare tropical palms and cycads in Florida, with more than 250 species, officially designated as an international arboretum
- Beautifully restored through a 10-year, $10 million “Protecting a Legacy” capital campaign, completing the conservation of the Norton House, monumental sculptures, Pollinator Garden, and all three historic structures on property
- Home to the Frances Fisher Art and Nature Conservatory, featuring the Caroline and Nick Rafferty Legacy Gallery, Ann Norton’s Archival Library, and the Susan and Bob Wright Indoor Classroom and Lecture Hall
- Sustained by a newly established endowment and the leadership of the Magnolia Society, ensuring the Gardens’ mission endures for generations
- 20,000 Title I students hosted each year through immersive educational programs which have grown to be among the most requested cultural field trip experiences by students and teachers in Palm Beach County. Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens opens the garden gate for every child in our community to experience the wonder of art, nature, and discovery in this extraordinary place.
- 50,000 visitors from around the world annually
- Acclaimed visiting art exhibitions and satellite venue for Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, with guided tours by world-renowned artists, curators, environmentalists, and authors
- Named one of The Palm Beaches’ most romantic proposal spots, where art, nature, and Intracoastal Waterway views create an enchanting setting for life’s most memorable moments
- Exceptional special events throughout the season, including the signature Sculpture in Motion automobile exhibition and An Evening of Music & Art in the Gardens
Please consider a gift in support of the Gardens educational programs. Your donation ensures that every child in our community can find their place in this remarkable space.
We look forward to welcoming you through our garden gates. In the meantime, your gift is the seed that keeps our Gardens growing and nurtures the world around us.