South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Norton Museum of Art plans limited reopening
West Palm Beach’ s Norton Museum of Art will finally reopen Nov. 20 with a robust bill of art exhibits— and the Norton’s 80th anniversary celebration.
Alongwith a suite of new COVID-19 upgrades and timed-ticket reservations, the museum will offer free admission to city residents (Saturdays only), first responders, active U.S. military and children under 12. For now, the museum will be open Friday-Sunday but will be closed Monday-Thursday.
When the Norton opens, the photo survey “Rudin Prize for Emerging Photography” and postmodern art show“Robert Rauschenberg: Five Decades fromthe Whitney’s Collection” will already be hanging. Both exhibits had barely opened in March when statewide lockdowns closed the museum. Both exhibits will close in December.
Four new exhibits will debut in early 2021. “Maria Berrio: Waiting for the Night to Bloom” (Jan. 2-May 9, 2021) is a display of 20works by the Brooklyn-based Colombian artist tackling
themes of immigration and magical realism. “Art Finds a Way” (Jan. 2-May 9, 2021) dives intoworks by Black artistsNina ChanelAbney, HankWillis Thomas and others about issues of racial injustice.
“Jose Alvarez(D.O.P.A.): Krome”(Jan. 2-May 9, 2021) features 30 ink portraits drawn by South Florida-basedVenezuelan artist Jose Alvarez during his incarceration at Miami’sKrome detention center. Alvarez, born DeyviOrangelPena Arteaga, is a fascinating figure best known as the husband of late magician-turned-skeptical crusader theAmazingRandi, whodied Oct. 20, andwas featuredinthe
2015Netflix documentary “An Honest Liar.”
Finally, “Celebrating the Norton: EightyYears” (Feb.
5-June 13, 2021) will showcase themuseum’s 80-year trove of documentary, photos and highlights pulled fromits permanent collection.
Bruce Gendelman, the Norton’s actingCEO, said the museumbooks its exhibitions years in advance, long before theworldhadheardtheword “COVID.” But larger in-person events, such as its arty music gatheringNorton AfterDark, will stay virtualuntil a vaccine is found, he says.
“Wehave the luxury that themuseum’s programmingis already set,” Gendelmansays. “Most of the public lectures are not going to happen. There’sno big events with 1,000people.”
Reservations are required before visiting, and visitors can reserve ticketsontheNorton’s website. Here are themuseum’s otherCOVID-19 upgrades.
Mask or cloth facial covering is required to beworn at all times for visitors age 2 and over.
Visitors will have their temperatures takenuponarrival with a touch-free scanningdevice and willnot be permitted to visit if temperature is 100.4or higher.
Only six visitors are allowed per group.
Occupancy limits to ensure distancing are established for each of the galleries, public rooms, restaurant, store, restroomsandelevators.
Museumstaff will assist visitors with parking lot pay kiosks to ensure a touch-free experience for visitors.
Hand-sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the museum.
Leave large bags athomeor in your vehicle. Bag checks are limitedand large bags aren’t permitted in the galleries.
Norton’s restaurant isn’t accepting reservations but will be open with a limitedmenu for take-away and dine-in with socially distanced seating.
Restroomsare staffed with attendants for constant cleaning throughout the day.
Water fountains are closed but water can be purchased at the restaurant.
TheNortonMuseum ofArt, at 1450 S. DixieHighway, in West PalmBeach, will be open
noon-7 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The museum will be closed Monday-Thursday. Call 561-832
5196 or go toNorton.org.