Sculpture gardens accredited as arboretum

Palms surround Ann Norton’s “Seven Beings,” at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. COURTESY PHOTO

The emphasis is on artwork at Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens.

But there also is an emphasis on plants at the historic venue, once home to Norton Museum of Art founder Ralph Norton and named for his second wife, Ann, who was a sculptor.

And the sculpture gardens have received accreditation as an arboretum by ArbNet, the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity and professionalism.

“Ann always wanted her gardens to be a sanctuary — a place of renewal and ‘deep refreshing,’ where neighbors can reconnect to nature and one another” Frances Fisher, board chairman of the sculpture gardens, said in a statement. “Given recent times, we know we it will be more important than ever to honor Ann’s vision and advance our mission to enrich lives with nature, art and history. We made a commitment to share this garden and its majestic collection of rare palms, cycads and native species on an international level, and receipt of this important accreditation enables us to do that.”

The gardens’ assemblage of over 250 rare palm species, cycads and unique tropical plants has been revitalized, catalogued and nurtured following two recent hurricane seasons and is now recognized as one of the largest public collections in Florida.

Located at 253 Barcelona Road in the El Cid neighborhood of West Palm Beach, ANSG is a nonprofit foundation established in 1977 by resident sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-1982). An urban sanctuary of two acres, the campus comprises Norton’s historic house with exhibition galleries, her studio, monumental sculptures and tropical gardens.

“It is almost mystical to experience the union of her powerful art within the natural landscape she created,” Margaret Horgan, managing director of the sculpture gardens, said in the statement.

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens are currently closed to the public. To learn more or to take a virtual walk among the gardens, visit www.ansg.org or call 561-832-5328. ¦