They came. They bid. And they celebrated – all for the love of art.
On Thursday, February 1, The Norton Museum of Art’s Gala Weekend kicked off with ArtBeat and participating artists. Cocktails were served to over 400 guests with light bites and beats by DJ Adam Lipson and friends. The night included an online gala auction, presented by Sotheby’s.
Kenny Scharf, created KARBOMBZ! at a live event, which was the final piece in his long-running series. Scharf spray painted a 1989 Rolls-Royce in the Museum’s Goergen Garden, provided by Beth Rudin DeWoody. Scharf’s graffiti gained him notoriety in the New York downtown art scene of the 1980s.
On Saturday, February 3, over 800 guests gathered for hors d’ oeuvres, cocktails, dinner, dancing, and a live auction via a partnership with Sotheby’s. The gala recognizes the significance of visionary collectors, including the founders, Ralph and Elizabeth Norton.
The fifth Gala Auction raised $3.7 million for the Museum’s exhibitions and programs for the Palm Beach County community. The programs include school partnerships, Art After Dark, and the Community Access Program. They also bring world-class exhibitions, artists, and works of art to South Florida.
“The success of the Gala Weekend is a testament to the love our supporters have for the Norton Museum of Art,” said Ghislain d’Humières, Kenneth C. Griffin Director and CEO. “We are overwhelmed by their continued commitment, and the generosity of the artists and galleries supporting this year’s auction.”
The Gala Weekend Chairs were Lorna James, Lisa Tananbaum, Silvia Zoullas, George Frederick Mead Merck, and Sue Wrigley. The Gala Committee was comprised of Lori Gendelman, Nicki Harris, Josephine Kalisman, Nicola Marcus, and Amy Phelan. The Auction Committee included Nicki Harris, Jane Holzer, Beth Rudin DeWoody, Waqas Wajahat, and Silvia Zoullas.
“As always, we are so grateful for the hard work our committees put into creating a special evening of support for the Museum we all love,” d’Humières said.
Visit the Museum’s website norton.org.
