FESTIVITIES BEGIN TO UNFOLD AT ANN NORTON SCULPTURE GARDENS, Designers Unveil Themes for Fourth Annual Festival of Trees

WEST PALM BEACH (November 24, 2010) – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens with area designers gathering décor and announcing their artistic themes for the fourth annual Festival of Trees. Designers will be on-site decorating trees November 30^th through December 2 in preparation for the Les Artistes themed event; which commences with its annual gala Friday December 3 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and continues throughout the weekend and then daily beginning Wednesday, December 8 through Sunday, December 12 from 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Various businesses, civic groups and individuals have individually underwritten over 30 trees with a universal theme of Les Artistes. Mentionable favorites include: Cynthia Thomas and Tom Mathieu who are bringing a new kind of tree to the Gardens for Susan and James Patterson, Wayne Thiebaud for his noted confection in art inspired tree which promises to be a favorite for children, the Martin Johnson Heade tree, by Scott Robertson Interiors Inc, inspired by Heade’s use of exotic flowers and tropical vistas that speak of a nostalgic Victorian past, and a Picasso inspired tree, by Home Life Interiors utilizing the abstract use of color and imagery as well as the musical instruments depicted in many of his works. Garrigues Interiors is working on two trees, the first, a Henri Matisse inspired tree, utilizing bold colors and large scale shapes representing Matisse’s mastery of the expressive language of color and drawing and a garland which will incorporate his famous “Dance” figures frolicking around the tree, topped with Matisse’s famous Icarus from the Jazz series. Their Paul Gauguin tree is inspired by Gauguin’s flight from civilization, in search of a more real and sincere life. By covering their tree with large palm fronds, colorful flowers and seashells; Garrigues Interiors will incorporate Gauguin’s fascination of the Tahitian life and culture.

Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach has an interesting challenge in bringing the art of the Highway Men to life for John and Eileen Otto who has one of the largest collections of Highway Men and Louis Nelveson is the inspiration for the Palm Beach Post Tree. Design Chair, Joseph Pubillones has created an eight-foot, three-dimensional assemblage tree for the event and Chad Renfro is busy getting ready by creating a Warhol inspired tree for the Rodriquez and Wickman Families of Wellington. Jack Phillips’ designed tree is rumored to buy out every flower in the area to create a tree based on the botanical artist Pierre-Joseph Redoute, and Bruce Sutka will be basing his tree on Salvador Dali for Joy of Palm Beach.

Erte will be a goddess in green and faux fur for Dr. Howard and Joanne Lybolt as seen by Austin Hancock, their designer and Edward and Meredith Michener will have “Le Grand Cirque” by Alexander Calder for the theme of their tree with the Executive Director of the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, Cynthia Palmieri taking on the theme for the event. Florida Crystals has underwritten a tree be done in collaboration with the students of Glades Academy utilizing Romare Bearden’s jazz inspired landscapes which will be the focus of the tree using primary colors to bring it to life. Vincent Van Gogh was the chosen themed artist for the 3^rd Grade Class at Rosarian Academy underwritten by Mieke van Waveren & Family and one of this year’s Co-Chairs.

“For the first time we have exceeded our goal of presenting 25 trees”, said Cynthia Palmieri, Executive Director of the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden. “With 32 trees this year, we have an array of contemporary, traditional, abstract, and pop art represented. There will be more than a few surprises and promise that the Festival of Trees will continue to be a magical experience for the young and the young at heart.”

The Design Chair for the Festival of trees is Joseph Pubillones and decorators include Rodger Chew II, Kevin Clark, Joseph Cortez, Mona de Sayve, Susan Fagan, Jack Fhillips, Jenny Garrigues, Austin Hancock, Patrick Killian, Isolde Koester, Lauri LaBow, Debora Maaale, Kevin Marnell, Jennifer Marsh, Tom Mathieu, Stephen Mooney, Cynthia Palmieri, Margaret Poetz, Chad Renfro, Allan Reyes, Angela Reynolds, Scott Robertson, Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach, Melody Smith, Catherine Stewart, Bruce Sutka, Holly Taboada, Cynthia Thomas, and Veronica Volani-Inza.

The event serves as the major fundraising event for the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden and its Community Enrichment Program and will include musical and ballet performances from the West Boca Raton High School Choir, Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Stringendo School For Strings, BAK Middle School of the Arts Chorus, the Florida Classical Ballet Theatre, and Palm Beach Atlantic University’s “Brass 5”. Family and friends of all ages are invited to participate in the gala with tickets available for $200.00 per adult and $25.00 per child/Nanny. Tickets for members are $150.00.

Current sponsors and underwriters for “Les Artists” and the “Les Artists” pre-event include: The Gentleman of the Garden as the Presenting Sponsor and media sponsors which include KOOL 105.5 FM, Palm Beach Illustrated, and The Palm Beach Post. The cocktail reception features Vodka by Grey Goose Vodka sponsored by Bacardi, U.S.A., Inc. and the reception features fine foods by Rock Star Catering Company, Marky Caviar, The Breakers Palm Beach, Whole Food Markets, Sushi Jo, Opici Wines Company of Florida, Imishmail Merritt Photography, Tree Towne Christmas Trees.

The 2010 Chairpersons are Karyn Lamb and Mieke Van Waveren, with David Miller serving as Honorary Chairman. Committee members include: Robin Azqueta, Diana Bell, Jeff Blakely, Jonathan Cameron-Hayes, Joanne Colt, Chrissy Colton, Millie Dayton, Aime Dunstan, Jenny Garrigues, Amy Guerrieri, Austin Hancock, Margaret Horgan, Karyn Janssen, Kelly Kirkpatrick, Brian Kirkpatrick, Dana Krentschmar, Heléné Lorentzen, Denise McCann, David Miller, Tara Nicoletti, Eileen and John Otto, Joseph Pubillones, Analisa Ramos-Estaban, Chad Renfro, Jennifer Rodriguez, True Rodriguez, Ashley and Michael Ramos, Denise Silverman, Sandy Singer, Tracy Smith, Linda Soper, Diana Speight, Tricia Taylor, and Emmy Wolbach.

The Festival of Tree raises money to support the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens and its Community Enrichment Program. The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens’ Community Enrichment Program is designed to provide cultural opportunities to all populations, through innovative programming incorporating the visual arts, environmental awareness, and interpretive history of Ann Weaver Norton.

Special admissions apply during the Festival of Trees. Tickets for the event can be purchased at the door and go to support the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. For Groups Sales please call 561-832-5328. To learn more on how you can be part of this fundraising event to support the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens please call 561-832-5328 or email annnorton@ansg.org. To view the latest schedule of events at the garden, please visit: www.ansg.org

The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Inc. is a recognized 501 (c) (3) operating foundation established in 1977 by the prominent sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-1982). The gardens are conveniently located at 253 Barcelona Road, at the corner of Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, FL. The rare palm and sculpture gardens, exhibition galleries and artist studio are currently open Wednesday-Sunday. 11- 4 p.m.

If you would like more information on this topic or to schedule an interview, please call Linda Soper at 561-835-9057 or email: linda@lindalanemarketing.com.

HOUSE OF LAVANDE FEATURED IN HOLIDAY WINDOW DISPLAYS AT HENRI BENDEL’S ICONIC 5TH AVENUE STORE

PALM BEACH (November 15, 2010) - House of Lavande, the Palm Beach boutique that is synonymous with all-things-elegant and enchanting is currently being featured in the absolutely magical holiday window displays at Henri Bendel’s flagship store located at 712 Fifth^th Avenue store in New York. The displays; which were unveiled this past week feature The Nutcracker theme with life size ballerinas, mice, a 6-foot-tall Nutcracker, and a Christmas Tree accessorized with mini monitors playing footage from the New York City Ballet.

Taking center stage in the Bendel windows are three ballerinas, one masked as a mouse, donning the exquisite jewels of House of Lavande. “It’s pretty extraordinary,” said New York City Ballet principal dancer Charles Askegard (who, in addition to being a dancer, is also is the husband to Candace Bushnell). “I wouldn’t want to dance with that rat hat on. That looks kind of heavy, but the bling is fantastic.”

House of Lavande, located at 340 Royal Poinciana Way serves as a museum of wearable art housing over 15,000 pieces in its collection. With items found by owner Tracy Smith’s worldwide travels combing flea markets, estate sales, and working with private dealers, the House of Lavande has become a red carpet favorite with celebrities and stylists throughout the world.

The store is open Monday – Friday from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and by appointment. To reach the store, please call 561-802-3737 or visit: www.houseoflavande.com.

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PALM BEACH COLLABORATION UNVEILS SPECIAL EDITION HERA NECKLACE BY JORDANN-LAVANDE

PALM BEACH COLLABORATION UNVEILS SPECIAL EDITION HERA NECKLACE

BY JORDANN-LAVANDE

PALM BEACH (November 8, 2010) — The unveiling of a new jewelry design available in time for the holidays called the HERA NECKLACE has just been announced through a collaborative effort between Tracy Smith of House of Lavande and Jordann Weingartner of Jordann Jewelry.

The collaboration came about when the two Palm Beach businesswomen with a niche in the jewelry industry started talking about their respective businesses and their passion for jewelry. The discussion lead to a sketch on a cocktail napkin and then morphed into a brainstorm on how the two could collaborate by incorporating both their iconic pieces - Jordann’s magnolia and House of Lavande’s lockets; which have become one of Tracy’s signature pieces in 2010. “One meeting later, we worked out the details on how and where to have the necklace made and it’s been a mad-dash ever since,” says Smith.

The name of the necklace is derived from Greek Mythology’s Hera, the goddess of women and marriage and was given its name after designing a part of the necklace from a House of Lavande vintage locket that had etchings of peacock feathers and incorporated 12 amethysts. The peacock and the ‘eyes’, which are symbolized in the stones, represent Hera’s watchfulness. The bird was a sacred symbol of Hera and is often associated with summer, the mature woman, and the mother phase. The naming of the necklace was the hardest part,” said Weingartner. “While researching names, we brainstormed on what the magnolia and the peacock symbol represent and mean to us as individuals, mothers, and strong independent women. Hera became the obvious choice.” An additional mantra shared by the Tracy and Jordann are the words inscribed on the back of the magnolia which read: “Embrace Your Dignity, Persevere…Protect, Love and Nurture Your True Beauty.”

The locket can also be engraved with initials or a date as well as having the space to encapsulate a photo. “We hope that the combination of an art deco magnolia and a vintage inspired locket will become an heirloom piece for its owners who may pass it down to their children and grandchildren. Like our vintage pieces, we hope that the Hera necklace will create its own legacy,” says Smith. The necklace is a special edition piece and is available in both sterling silver and 14 karat gold vermeil for $450.00 at the House of Lavande located at 340 Royal Poinciana Way, suite 332, Palm Beach, Florida 33480 or by visiting the web at either www.houseoflavande.com or www.jordannjewelry.com. Orders my also be obtained by calling the House of Lavande at 561-802-3737.

About the House of Lavande:

The House of Lavande was officially launched in 2005 stemming from Tracy Smith’s passion for collecting vintage couture jewelry. The boutique store located at 340 Royal Poinciana Way houses over 15,000 pieces in its collection with items found by Smith’s worldwide travels combing flea markets, estate sales, and working with private dealers. Prices on items in-store vary from $65.00 to $12,000.00 so there is something for everyone. With a dedicated team of stylists that provide consultative services on jewelry styling for a customer’s personal wardrobe, the House of Lavande works with individuals to create an individual look for their special event or needs. Customers can send photos of their clothes to the website or bring items that need to be accessorized to the store and the stylists will choose an array of jewelry that can be chosen for that wardrobe. House of Lavande’s one-on-one attention in stylizing its clients is what sets them apart and makes clients feel like the celebrities that utilize the House of Lavande as a red-carpet favorite. The store is open Monday – Saturday from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM and by appointment. To reach the store, please call 561-802-3737 or visit the website at: www.houseoflavande.com.

About Jordann Jewelry:

The Jordann Jewelry collection includes necklaces, earrings, bracelets, bangles, and rings, with or with diamonds and is recognizable by its signature Magnolia shape. Jordann also offers personalized statement pieces; Magnolia engraved charms and necklaces. These customized statement pieces make more than a stylish statement; they provide a keepsake for the wearer and the sharer, amongst friends, family and loved ones. Jordann Jewelry’s signature copyrighted trademark is the Magnolia Flower, a representation of beauty, determination and passion; the Magnolia embodies the characteristics that Jordann strives to maintain in her social as well as her business interactions. In addition, the Magnolia symbolizes perseverance, her Father’s favorite word, and with this meaning in mind Jordann executes a collection of jewelry conveying these attributes to the wearer as well as to the admirer. Jordann’s pieces are available on her website at www.jordannjewelry.com and at C. Orrico in Palm Beach.

If you would like more information on this topic or to schedule an interview, please call Linda Soper at (561) 835-9057 or email: linda@lindalanemarketing.com.

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