South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
NortonMuseum of Art plans to reopen with limited hours
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 timedticket 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 from the 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 into works by Black artists Nina Chanel Abney, Hank Willis 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-based Venezuelan artist Jose Alvarez during his incarceration at Miami’s Krome detention center. Alvarez, born Deyvi Orangel Pena Arteaga, is a fascinating figure best known as the husband of late magician-turned-skeptical crusader the Amazing Randi, who died Oct. 20, andwas featured in the
2015Netflix documentary “An Honest Liar.”
Finally, “Celebrating the Norton: Eighty Years” (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 acting CEO, said the museum books its exhibitions years in advance, long before the world had heard the word “COVID.” But larger in-person events, such as its arty music gathering Norton After Dark, will stay virtual until a vaccine is found, he says.
“Wehave the luxury that themuseum’s programming is already set,” Gendel man says. “Most of the public lectures are not going to happen. There’s no big events with 1,000people.”
Reservations are required before visiting, and visitors can reserve tickets on the Norton’s website. Here are themuseum’s other COVID-19 upgrades.
Mask or cloth facial covering is required to be worn at all times for visitors age 2 and over.
Visitors will have their temperatures taken upon arrival with a touch-free scanning device and will not 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, rest rooms and elevators.
Museum staff 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 at home or in your vehicle. Bag checks are limited and large bags aren’t permitted in the galleries.
Norton’s restaurant isn’t accepting reservations but will be open with a limited menu for take-away and dine-in with socially distanced seating.
Restrooms are staffed with attendants for constant cleaning throughout the day.
Water fountains are closed but water can be purchased at the restaurant.
The Norton Museum of Art, at 1450 S. Dixie Highway, in West Palm Beach, 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.