WEST PALM BEACH — Elliot Bostwick Davis, CEO and director of the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach since March 2019, has resigned.
“The events of the past months have impressed upon me the importance of being closer to my family and I’m looking forward to returning to Boston and beginning the next chapter of my life,” she said in a prepared statement. She declined to comment further when asked.
She joined the Norton a month after the art venue reopened following a $100 million expansion and renovation crafted by the famed British architectural and design firm, Foster + Partners.
Davis came to the Norton after 18 years at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and 10 years at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Upon her departure from the Norton, she praised the museum and staff. “It’s been such a privilege to work with the Norton team and get to know Palm Beach County and its incredible community. I believe deeply in the transformational power of art and am proud of all we have achieved.”
Board of Trustees chair Bruce Gendelman, in a prepared statement, thanked Davis and the Norton staff for the museum’s post-expansion success. “They have done a tremendous job in growing our community impact, bolstering our institutional relationships and envisioning an exciting special exhibitions program.” And to Davis, he added: “We wish her the best in her new journey.”
Sculpture, botanical gardens reopen at Four Arts
PALM BEACH — While most of the Society of the Four Arts campus at 100 Four Arts Plaza in Palm Beach remains closed, the Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden and the Four Arts Botanical Gardens have reopened, with restrictions.
The gardens are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. Visitor groups are limited to 10 and they must follow CDC guidelines by wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing.
While in the gardens, guests are urged to stop by the Pannill Pavilion to see the newest exhibition, Philip Haas’ Four Seasons, which continues through Dec. 31.
Also, the Society’s King Library is offering curbside service to members by appointment only. This service began June 1 and will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call (561) 655-2766 for an appointment time and to check out materials by titles or authors.
Morikami to reopen grounds Tuesday
DELRAY BEACH — The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach is trying again to open its grounds to the public after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Museum officials plan to welcome back visitors starting Tuesday, June 16. The garden spot at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The visitation site was scheduled to open June 2, but “unforeseen circumstances” forced a delay, said Morikami spokeswoman Sally Shorr.
Areas open to the public will include the Roji-en Japanese Garden, Bonsai Exhibit, Cornell Café (with limited services) and the museum store (with limited capacity). Garden paths will be one-way only, and guests are encouraged to follow proper social distancing.
The museum’s galleries, exhibitions, theater, Seishin-an Tea House, and Yamato-kan remain closed and all public programming is suspended through Sept. 30.
To ensure the safety of visitors and staff, the museum will follow CDC guidelines regarding capacity limits and 6-foot social distancing. Masks will be required to enter the museum building. Frequent sanitation of high contact areas is being routinely performed.
For additional information, call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org.
Florida Grand Opera launches ‘LOL’ summer program
DORAL — Florida Grand Opera will conduct its “LOL” (Live Opera Lab) program again this summer.
The intensive, two-week program offered in four separate sessions beginning June 22 will adhere to all CDC guidelines to protect participants from COVID-19 contamination. Each session will be limited to a maximum of 10 participants and adhere to all safety precautions.
The program is geared towards high school and undergraduate college students interested in and/or studying classical voice and are working towards the pursuit of a career in the performing arts. Two segments will be dedicated to high school level and two will serve the requirements of undergraduates.
Applicants will take part in a wide variety of programs geared to enhance their knowledge of opera, voice, and performance. “We are proud to continue to inspire young singers and help them with the tools they need to succeed in the future,” said FGO’s new director of education, Luis Valenzuela.
The program cost is $900 for high school sessions and $1,000 segment. Those interested can apply at www.fgo.org/education/Live-Opera-Lab. For more information, contact 305-403-3308.
Cornell Museum reopens with reduced hours
DELRAY BEACH — The Cornell Art Museum at Old School Square in Delray Beach reopened to the public Friday.
The museum closed in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other buildings on the Old School Square campus — the Crest Theatre, the Old School Square Pavilion and the Fieldhouse — remain closed and will reopen as CDC guidelines allow, officials said in a news release.
The Cornell is open only on a reduced schedule, from 4 to 8 p.m. Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. More hours will be added when CDC guidance permits.
No groups larger than 10 people will be allowed to visit the museum at any one time, and all transactions will be handled cash-free, including touchless credit card processing. In cases when a patron’s credit card is handled by an employee, that employee will be wearing gloves and disinfect the card before and after the transaction.
Other policies adopted by the museum include a new Plexiglas shield between staff and patrons at the front desk, routine disinfection of common surfaces and touch-points, and new floor markings to enforce social distancing rules.
The current exhibit is Art Couture: The Intersection of Art and Fashion. For more information, call 561-243-7922 or send an email to museuminfo@oldschool.org.