A history of Palm Beach’s visual arts is like a history of art itself, and it is equally as fascinating. Written by Deborah C. Pollack with the cooperation of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach Visual Arts (Pelican Publishing Company, www.pelicanpub.com) is the first book to comprehensively explore the incredible story of the island and the painters, photographers, sculptors, artisans, art dealers, and philanthropists drawn to it.

Palm Beach Visual Arts uncovers, emphasizes, and analyzes the significant art created in Palm Beach, revealing in great detail how a barrier island enclave of the super wealthy was transformed into a prominent and influential locus for the arts. And because West Palm Beach is just over the bridge, its art and artists are also explored.  

Luminaries include the Kennedys, Sylvester Stallone, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cecil Beaton, Salvador Dali, Florenz Ziegfeld, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Addison Mizner, Gertrude Lawrence, George Hamilton, and Gloria Vanderbilt. Paintings by Laurencin, Monet, Renoir, Vermeer, Van Gogh, and Gauguin are also included.

Art educators and collectors have already highly praised the new book:

* Marisa J. Pascucci, Curator of Collections at Boca Raton Museum of Art:  “What better way to learn the rich history of the visual arts in the paradise that is Palm Beach than through Deborah’s exquisitely written and illustrated book?”

* Molly Charland, Director of Education at the Society of the Four Arts: “Deborah Pollack is a valuable asset as the conservator of the history of Florida’s visual arts. Her latest magnum opus, Palm Beach Visual Art, is elegant, scholarly, and most significant.”

* Robert Harper III, Executive Director of the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine, FL: “In documenting the art of Palm Beach, Deborah Pollack has written an important volume which chronicles a previously untold chapter in the history of Florida’s most iconic gold coast town. As lavish and rich as her subject matter, Pollack’s work is both scholarly as well as visually captivating. Palm Beach Visual Arts is a must read for anyone interested in Florida and American art.” 

* Catherine Whitney, art collector: “Filled with fabulous photos of paintings, sculptures, artists, and socialites, Deborah Pollack imparts entertaining and scholarly insight as to how art served as the catalyst to forming one of the most beautiful and affluent resorts in the world, the island of Palm Beach . …The intersection of art and commerce continues to this day. …Open this book and take a tour of the lush beauty of Palm Beach through the lens of artists!”

For more information, please contact Antoinette de Alteriis, Promotion Director antoinette@pelicanpub.com 1 (800) 843-1724 (ext 331).