Exhibitions

GREAT PERFORMANCES
ARE JUST THE BEGINNING
OF THE NORTON CENTER
EXPERIENCE.

In addition to rotating gallery exhibitions in the Grand Foyer, the Center boasts an expansive display of permanent art and sculpture year-round, including the Ex Astris sculpture, the Haven Gillespie Fountain and Plaza, and works by Auguste Rodin and Stephen Rolfe Powell ‘74.

Grand Foyer Gallery
Monday – Friday
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Free

Guided group tours are
available by request.

Exhibit on the walls of the Grand Foyer in the Norton Center

A RETRO PERSPECTIVE: REVISITING PRINTS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION

NOW OPEN!

In 1973, the Norton Center celebrated its grand opening with an exhibition of works loaned by the prestigious Guggenheim Museum. Many of the artists who were featured are now considered pioneers of Modern Art — artists like Andy Warhol, Karel Appel and Adolph Gottlieb. The exhibition inspired Centre College to actively collect graphic works by these artists and their contemporaries, resulting in the purchase of around 20 prints that are now part of the Norton Center’s permanent collection.

To celebrate the Norton Center’s 50th anniversary, selections from this special collection of prints will be exhibited in a way that contextualizes their connection to Centre College and their place in the larger history of Modern Art. The exhibition will include research by Centre’s senior Art History students to further situate the legacy of these artists and their work from a contemporary cultural perspective.

PERMANENT COLLECTION

Sculpture And Blue Sky
EX ASTRIS (1978)

The 14-foot, brass-plated sculpture by Louisville artist Tom Lear is located at the main entrance to the Grand Foyer. The name means “from the stars.”

Fountain With People In The Background
THE HAVEN GILLESPIE FOUNTAIN AND PLAZA (1973)

The Haven Gillespie Fountain and Plaza (1973, renovated in 1994 and 2010). This space was made possible by a gift by Audrey R. Gillespie in memory of James Haven Gillespie 1888-1975 and his son Haven Lamont Gillespie 1910-1990.

Sculpture Of The Walking Man
THE WALKING MAN (1899-1900)

Also known as “Etude for St. Jean Baptiste,” this original work is by the founder of modern sculpture, Auguste Rodin. The sculpture was donated in 1980 by David Grissom in honor of his late father.

PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS

Photographs, videos, artist biographies and additional resources from previous special exhibitions are available.

LEARN MORE
Back To Top