R.W. Norton Art Gallery

Mission Statement:

The mission of R. W. Norton Art Gallery is to collect, preserve, study, exhibit, and stimulate appreciation for and advance knowledge of works of art and literature. The R. W. Norton Art Gallery manifests this commitment by establishing, preserving, and documenting a permanent collection that primarily but not exclusively reflects 19th and 20th century American and European art; by presenting exhibitions, tours and educational community programs; by sustaining a research library for scholarship; by supporting publications of intellectual merit; and by encouraging the exchange of ideas and art with other cultural venues in the local and regional area. Central to R. W. Norton Art Gallery’s mission is the encouragement of an understanding and enjoyment of art and literature by the diverse local, national, and international audiences that it serves.

History:

In the early 1920's, Richard W. Norton (1886-1940) became one of the discoverers of the Rodessa Oil Field in north Louisiana . Over time, Mr. Norton's wife and son began to amass a significant collection of fine art. In 1946, to honor Mr. Norton and for the benefit of the community, Richard W. Norton, Jr. (1919-1974) and his mother, Mrs. Richard W. Norton (1886-1975) created the R.W. Norton Art Foundation. In turn, the Foundation eventually established the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, basing its initial collection upon donations from the acquisitions of the Nortons. Today, due to the on-going efforts of the Board of Control and the Foundation's work, the R.W. Norton Art Gallery's offerings continue to expand, grow, and contribute to their community.