From museum collections to public murals, Palm Beach County, Florida is a canvas for artisans and art aficionados.
With an arts council turning 40 in 2018, a growing acknowledgment for street art and a top museum undergoing a massive expansion, it's easy to picture this southern region of the Sunshine State as a creative destination.
Here's where to get cultured in Palm Beach County:
West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach's downtown section is buzzing with artistic development throughout much of the West Palm Beach Arts and Entertainment District.
Founded by steel industrialist and art collector Ralph Norton in 1941, the Norton Museum of Art is currently undergoing a $100 million expansion with a grand reopening scheduled for February 2019. During this time, the museum remains open to the public. It holds a collection of American, European and Chinese art and photography and contemporary art.
The expansion will restore the East-West symmetry of the museum's original architectural plan. A new sub-tropical garden and green space serves as a social gathering spot, display area for sculptures and additional programming section. Other inclusions are a new entry forecourt, 12,000 square feet of gallery space and the creation of a 42,000 west wing, plus add-ons such as a restaurant and a 210-seat, state-of-the-art auditorium.
Within West Palm Beach's El Cid Historic Neighborhood, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens gives Norton's second wife, Ann Norton-a sculptor whose work has been featured at New York City's Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art-her due.
The interior of the couple's former home is gallery space for Ann's work, while the backyard holds her studio and a sculpture garden.
Public art displays have been easing into West Palm Beach's Arts and Entertainment District with works by Florida-based, national and international artists. With a city ordinance requiring private developments to support public art through commission or financial contributions, visual artists apply for a workspace by presenting their potential design to the city's Art in Public Places committee.
Much of this can be seen between Okeechobee Boulevard and Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, on sides of buildings, in parks and along walkways. Explore on your own or go on a guided bike or walking tour available through Visit Palm Beach.
Boynton Beach
Boynton Beach has a creative scene that can be driven and walked through. Boynton Beach Arts District is within a former industrial warehouse area now having about 11 visual or performance artists occupying studios for creating with metal or stone or paint or music.
The district features open mic nights, monthly art walks and other events. As a year-long exhibition, "Albert on the Avenue" puts pop-up sculptures by metal sculptor Albert Paley along the city's main boulevard through September 28. One fixture will be placed on permanent exhibit at 500 Ocean, a development space.
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