WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (February 5, 2011) —More than 200 art aficionados and supporters of one of Florida’s largest art museum enjoyed  “An Evening of Chinese Enchantment” at the Norton Museum’s 35^th Annual Bal des Arts 2011. John and Heidi Niblack were the chairmen of the gala. Carl and Iris Apfel, Bill and Christine Aylward and Kemp and Edith Stickney served as co-chairmen. Jeffrey and Frances Fisher and Bill and Sally Soter served as honorary chairs.

In honor of the Chinese New Year, the Museum was transformed into a lush Asian paradise. Guests were greeted at the door by exquisitely costumed Asian maidens and escorted into the Museum through a pagoda-lined hallway draped with exotic silks. A dramatic, 50-ft. paper dragon hung from the ceiling of the atrium for the cocktail reception. Upstairs, guests enjoyed a tour of the Museum’s Chinese collection and the special exhibition Celebrating 70: The Qianlong Emperor and Exchanges of Buddhist Gifts, which runs until March 20.  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; and Doug and Dale Anderson. 

Founded in 1941, the Norton Museum of Art celebrates its 70^th 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.

This month, the Museum presents two exciting new exhibitions: Fabulous Fakes: The Jewelry of Kenneth Jay Lane organized by the Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, which is now open and runs through May 1; and To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum, opening
Feb. 12-May 8.