Art and Culture in West Palm Beach, FL

Norton Museum of Art
When it comes to art, West Palm Beach, FL offers a diverse range of experiences. From art exhibits and outdoor sculptures, to theatre and classical music, art lovers can look forward to world-class institutions and events.

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AN OVERVIEW OF THE WEST PALM BEACH, FL ART SCENE

West Palm Beach is best known for its gorgeous beaches, fishing spot, upscale retail, and famed nightlife, but it also has a rich history and artistic legacy. If you love, study, or work in art, West Palm Beach, FL is the place for you. While primarily known as a luxury resort area, this picture-perfect city in South Florida has emerged as an art destination over the last few years.

The downtown area is a vibrant hub for various institutions and cultural events. Outside of its esteemed museums and galleries, murals and other forms of street art adorn public spaces. The city itself is a creative space with a surprise waiting around every corner.

While the city is home to a thriving arts scene, it has also been the subject of art, particularly in the works of celebrated photographer Stephen Shore and painter Alex Katz. It’s hard not to feel inspired by the city’s magnificent waterfront and the warmth of its people.

More than a few movies have been shot at West Palm Beach, including the iconic 1970s flick “Smokey and the Bandit”, Johnny Depp crime film “Donnie Brasco”, and action film franchise installment “2 Fast 2 Furious”. The city’s lavish architecture, coastal setting, and retro glamor make it an attractive filming location.

Whether you’re into classical art forms, thought-provoking contemporary exhibits, or popular culture, the art scene has something to offer. It is dynamic and innovative, encouraging visitors to participate in immersive experiences.

HOW WEST PALM BEACH BECAME THE CULTURE CAPITAL OF FLORIDA

Incorporated in 1894, West Palm Beach has come a long way from its origins as a fledgling town. Today, it is a modern and dynamic city that attracts millions of visitors each year.

From Sleepy Coastal Town to Gilded Age Playground

West Palm Beach emerged as a winter playground for wealthy Americans following the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1920. Renowned industrialist Henry Flagler, architect Addison Mizner, and other prominent names facilitated the town’s transformation into a summer retreat for the Gilded Age with opulent hotels and Mediterranean-style mansions. Once a mere stop on the Florida East Coast Railway, West Palm Beach had successfully turned into a destination in its own right.

After World War II, veterans came to town for its pleasant weather and laid-back lifestyle. Affluent retirees soon followed and continue to arrive at West Palm Beach in substantial numbers to this day.

The coronavirus pandemic brought a new wave of younger and well-to-do professionals from major urban centers like Los Angeles and New York City to West Palm Beach. While West Palm Beach was already seeing an influx of new residents in the years leading up to the pandemic, covid restrictions and remote work accelerated migration to the city.

According to the US Census, the population of Palm Beach County (which encompasses West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and Boca Raton) increased by about 13% between 2010 and 2020.

These urban sophisticates were drawn to the city for its breathtaking scenery, outdoor lifestyle, lower taxes, and spacious properties. A host of trendy hotels, boutiques, restaurants, and of course, galleries, opened to accommodate the tastes and preferences of these new residents.

The Arrival of Gallerists

In an article for Art Basel, art market commentator Brian Boucher argued that nearby Palm Beach had one of the highest ratios of renowned galleries to residents of any similarly-sized municipality in the world. The pandemic brought droves of pop-up blue chip galleries as urban elites left major cities for vacation towns and traditional art galleries saw a significant drop in visitors.

While virtual exhibits and online sales helped keep many galleries afloat, there was simply no substitute for in-person encounters with art displays. Art dealers followed their wealthy clientele as they headed south to Florida.

These clients included high-profile buyers such as Beth Rudin DeWoody, Ken Griffin, Dan Loeb, and Steve Wynn — some of whom kept vacation homes in the Palm Beach area. The Beaches also count multi-millionaires, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, and celebrities among their seasonal and permanent residents.

Beth Rudin DeWoody notably makes her collection available for public viewing via rotating exhibitions at The Bunker Artspace in West Palm Beach venue. While the city is no stranger to art, West Palm Beach, FL residents now have access to a wider range of contemporary pieces by young and established artists, thanks to the arrival of new gallerists.

Ongoing Support for Artistic Projects

There are organizations offering grants and initiatives to encourage creativity and art in West Palm Beach:

A Thriving Arts Scene

With renewed cachet as a destination for top-flight galleries, Palm Beach County has claimed its rightful place as “Florida’s Cultural Capital”. The area now gets the same attention as the internationally acclaimed Art Basel in Miami-Dade and the Wynwood Art District in Miami due to the following key developments:

Spanning five blocks along downtown West Palm Beach, Clematis Street is lined with swaying palms and historic buildings, including the 1925 Comeau Building and 1927 Harvey Building, both of which feature Neoclassical-style architecture.

Other cultural attractions include the Centennial Fountain and Waterfront Park, an open space and gathering area that hosts Clematis By Night, which offers free live music. Clematis Street also hosts SunFest, an annual boat show; and Supercar Week, which showcases classic and luxury car models.

The West Palm Beach Green Market is a seasonal market featuring over 70 vendors on select Saturdays while the bustling Clematis Street nightlife scene attracts almost 80,000 revelers each week.

  • Sunshine Park features several historic homes and gardens dating back to the 1920s. Founded by Realtor and developer Edward Roddy in 1920, Sunshine Park was designated as a historic neighborhood in 2022 and harbors just 130 homes, some of which feature Mediterranean, Old Spanish, and Mid-Century Modern architecture.

THE ARTS AND CULTURE SCENE IN AND AROUND WEST PALM BEACH

Explore art in art in West Palm Beach, FL and the surrounding communities when you visit these cultural attractions.

Museums and Galleries

  • Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is located on the National Register of Historic Places and is a contributing property to the famed El Cid Historic District, which dates back to 1875. Designed by botanist Sir Richard Withers, the gardens are home to over 250 rare palms, cycads, and tropical plants as well as Norton’s own outdoor sculptures. Also on the grounds is a Monterey Revival-style home that was built in 1925 and redesigned in 1948.
  • Armory Art Center was established in 1939 and is housed in a splendid Art Deco building just south of downtown West Palm Beach. Its art school was founded in 1987. This nonprofit art center features several artist studios across three buildings. Visitors can join classes, workshops, and courses in painting, screenprinting, photography, ceramics, stone carving, jewelry design, metalsmithing, and more.
  • Norton Museum of Art has one of the largest and most far-ranging art collections in Florida, including American, European, Chinese, and Contemporary art and photography. The museum also features gardens, auditoriums, and meeting and event spaces with on-site catering and valet parking.
  • Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, also known as Whitehall Mansion, is a National Historic Landmark in neighboring Palm Beach. Built in 1902, it features rotating exhibitions and special events and programs. Visitors can take a docent tour of the museum and drop by the gift shop.
  • The Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum, also known as the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, is a resource center with a permanent collection of millions of photos, journals, newspapers, maps, and archival material covering over 12,000 years of local history. It serves as a research facility with education programs.
  • Palm Beach Photographic Centre is a museum hosting local and international exhibits and workshops with master photographers. It provides instruction to photographers of all skill levels and grants access to the latest camera gear and equipment.

The museum is also known for hosting FOTOfusion, an annual five-day festival that brings some of the biggest names in photography to West Palm Beach. Activities include lectures, workshops, seminars, demonstrations, photo shoots, and more.

  • The Brewhouse Gallery is located in the Lake Park Art District, just north of West Palm Beach. It features a black box theatre, live music stage, and taproom with a video mural alongside shops and breweries. Visitors shouldn’t miss the Back Alley Mural, a massive work of art by 15 local artists.
  • The Peach is an art collective located on Georgia Avenue near downtown West Palm Beach. It is dedicated to visual art, music, photography, videography, 3D printing, skateboard art, and art therapy. The collective hosts monthly art walks with open studios, live music, immersive experiences, vendors, and kid’s activities. The space also hosts community events like workshops, seminars, film screenings, and yoga and art classes.

Performing Arts

  • Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is a prestigious institution and performing arts facility that offers a wide range of experiences, including Broadway musicals and ballet recitals. Established in 1992, it has hosted performances by world renowned singers, bands, orchestras, and theater companies.
  • The Palm Beach Opera was founded in 1961 and offers world-class opera performances with top talent and immersive sets and costumes at the Kravis Center. The company also provides opera education and competitive artist training programs. Signature events include the annual gala, opening night dinner, Sunday Q&A, and Lunch & Learn with staff and guest artists.
  • Palm Beach Dramaworks produces classic, contemporary, and original plays to delight and inspire West Palm Beach audiences. Its many initiatives and signature events include Dramawise, Outstage, The Academy@PBD, The Dramaworkshop, The ‘Lit’ Theatre Project, and The Perlberg Festival of New Plays. The theater also offers patrons special deals and discounts at supporting restaurants via Restaurant Club.

Companies

Festivals and Events

  • Clematis by Night has drawn thousands of attendees to West Palm Beach every week since 1996. This magical fountain-side concert series features some of the finest local and national musical acts. It also features sumptuous food and children’s activities.
  • SunFest is the largest and one of the most highly anticipated waterfront music festivals in all of Florida. Founded in 1982, the three-day event takes place in downtown West Palm Beach during the first week in May of each year. It attracts more than 85,000 attendees with a 5k race, art shows, fireworks, floating bars, live DJ sets, and dancing spots. There’s also free-flowing alcohol and bar chow for visitors ages 21 and older.

This year’s live musical acts include East Harbor, Jack Johnson, The Chainsmokers, The Killers, and Ziggy Marley. Other event highlights include car exhibits, photobooths, music, and drinks at the Ford Beach House on Flagler Drive.

Other Cultural Attractions

WORK WITH A LEADING WEST PALM BEACH REALTOR

Live close to West Palm Beach’s arts and culture scene. Find the perfect home with Suzanne Frisbie and her team. Contact her at 561.373.0941 or send a message here to start the search.

With decades of experience, Suzanne is a trusted Realtor and luxury real estate expert who helps clients buy or invest in Palm Beach homes for sale. She ranks among the top 10 Realtors in the United States.

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