Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach

I enjoyed its fine,but not encyclopedic collection of Old Master paintings(Jacopo Da Firenze,Cranach the Elder,Rubens,Van Dyck,Jan Thomas Yperen,Boucher),.I appreciated its early 20th Century European paintings,including fine paintings by;Bonnard,Matisse,Picasso,and Braque.I enjoyed its large collection of Chinese Art from the Neolithic Period up to the Qing Period.I like this art museum's cozy atmosphere and its free parking on the premises.

The Norton Museum (one of Florida’s largest art museums) enjoyed “An Evening of Chinese Enchantment” with John and Heidi Niblack as chairmen, Carl and Iris Apfel, Bill and Christine Aylward and Kemp and Edith Stickney as co-chairmen, while Jeffrey and Frances Fisher, Bill and Sally Soter served as honorary chairs. In honor of the Chinese New Year, the Norton Museum was transformed into a lush Asian paradise. Upstairs, while nibbling on delicious hors d’hoevres by Lyon + Lyon catering, guests enjoyed the Museum’s Chinese collection and the special exhibition "Celebrating 70: The Qianlong Emperor and Exchanges of Buddhist Gifts". Dinner was served in Café 1451, which was transformed into a Far East-inspired garden with cherry blossom and orchid centerpieces and a starry sky that featured 32 illuminated lanterns. A costumed musician played the guzhang, a traditional Chinese string instrument, before guests enjoyed dancing to the music of Alex Donner and his orchestra. Executive director Hope Alswang greeted guests that included Museum trustees and their guests Ted and Ruth Baum; Michael and Annie Falk; Henry and Elaine Kaufman; Gilbert and Ann Maurer; Bill and Janine Mayville; Carlos and Renee Morrison; Mitchell Rubenstein and Laurie Silvers; Ralph and Muriel Saltzman; and Leo and Katie Vecellio. Also in attendance were Will and Jean Matthews; George and Ursula Andreas; John and Joan Goodwin; Torrence and Rosemary Harder; Butch and Melinda Trucks; John and Meg Daly; Howard and Julie Rudolph; Tom and Carol Kirchhoff; Jim and Irene Karp; Doug and Dale Anderson; Ronald Berk and Judith Ripka. Founded in 1941, the Norton Museum of Art celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. The annual Bal des Arts supports the Museum’s education and public programs. More than 120,000 people visit the Museum annually for special exhibitions, lectures and other educational programs. The Norton also serves approximately 14,000 students in Palm Beach County each year.