COOL CULTURE

Elevate your inner artist with a visit to the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach for its spring exhibition “At the Dawn of a New Age: Early Twentieth-Century American Modernism” (Now-July 16), recently on display at New York City’s Whitney Museum of American Art.

“The exhibition illustrates the rising creativity of artists in the 1930s,” explains Ghislain d’Humières, director and CEO, who joined the museum in 2021 following distinguished leadership positions with the country’s top museums.“It’s a great opportunity to see one of the very best collections in Florida.”

The exhibit showcases select pieces from the Whitney’s collection of early 20th-century American modern art in addition to the Norton’s own permanent collection of modern masters that museum founder Ralph Norton began collecting in the 1930s. Featured are works produced between 1900 and 1930 by well-known American modernists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Stuart Davis and Man Ray as well as their less familiar, but equally groundbreaking, peers.

Since Norton’s death in 1953, the museum has continued to make important acquisitions in this area—in recent years focusing particularly on work by women and people of color such as Henry Bannarn, Helen Torr and Beulah Ecton Woodard. The Norton is home to more than 8,200 works in European, American and Chinese art as well as contemporary art and photography.

For those new to the museum, d’Humières recommends also visiting the Norton’s permanent collection on the ground floor, where many legendary names are showcased: Picasso, Monet, Degas, Gauguin, Cezanne, Manet.“These are the names that most people know,” he says.“The works are beautiful and amazing.”

Must See: Don’t miss a stroll through the Norton’s lush, 37,200-square-foot Pamela and Robert B. Goergen Sculpture Garden followed by lunch at the 165-seat, indoor/outdoor restaurant while enjoying stunning views of the garden through floor-to-ceiling windows.

While You’re There: While on the Dixie strip, be sure to explore Hive Home, Gift & Garden. Get lost in its brilliantly designed, 24,000-square-foot showroom featuring curated collections of stylish furniture, lighting and accessories; an in-house floral studio; and a selection of unique gifts. Afterward, reward yourself at the Hive Bakery & Cafe for a creamy smooth latte and buttery croissant.

Norton Museum Of Art

1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach 561/832-5196 norton.org