Requiem for Norton

Requiem for Norton

R.W. Norton Art Gallery

The lead story on yesterday's local news was one that really made an impact on me.  They were reporting that the Norton Art Gallery of Shreveport has posted new rules for photography.  Effective immediately there will no longer be any professional photography allowed on their grounds.  My first thought was to wonder what had happened that would have caused them to make that decision.  My second thought was to be relieved that this new ruling would not affect me.  I do take a lot of photographs, but I’m an amateur who just shoots pictures of family members.  But when I went to the Norton website to read the new rules for myself, I quickly realized that the rules would affect me, too.  As soon as a new fence that is being built is complete, there will no longer be any photography allowed at all at their grounds. 

Ben's first family portrait at Norton in 2007

I started feeling so sad.  Some people have commented on Facebook that taking pictures at Norton, especially during azalea season, has become such a tradition.  And it has.  That is so true for our family.  As I sit typing this in my living room, I can count twelve (really twelve!) framed portraits that have all been taken at the Norton Art Gallery over just the past 5 years.  A couple of them were taken by professionals that the kids have given to us.  But most of them are pictures that I’ve taken of my grandchildren, and each one brings back a memory of a time spent with them out in the gardens, enjoying the beauty of nature and each other’s company, as we recorded our memories.  There are pictures of Ben and Will this last fall in front of a beautiful red-leaved tree, and pictures of Carolann and Adeline last summer when the hydrangeas were in full bloom.  

Adeline & Carolann at Norton Summer 2012

There’s a sweet snapshot of the boys about two years ago that I took when I sneaked them out to the Norton to take a picture to give to Molly as a Mother’s Day surprise.  Possibly my favorite (if it’s possible to pick from among all these!) is a portrait I took of Ben in front of the azaleas when he was about 10 months old, sitting in a white wicker rocker.  It was printed beautifully on canvas by Dee’s Photo… a picture printed by a Shreveport photo lab that no longer exists of a location that Shreveporters will soon no longer be able to photograph. (Sigh.)

Ben's first Easter portrait 2008

Oh, I know I’ll keep taking pictures of our kids and grandkids, in our backyards, at the pumpkin patch in the fall, at the lake or the beach in summertime or around the Christmas tree.  But I guess those beautiful portraits in front of Norton’s azaleas, hydrangeas & water features will sadly no longer be part of our family’s traditions. 

My parents with grandsons Jack & Finn
2011

I have read that Norton's owners made their decision due to the fact that some people who have gone there to take pictures have been destructive (as in spray painting on a building) or at least negligent in leaving messes on the property.  It really is a shame if that’s the case.   That’s the way it is so often…that a few bad apples ruin a good thing for everyone.  

Maybe the decision to not allow even amateur family photographs at Norton will be reconsidered by the owners.  I hope that's the case.  I so want to keep creating memories like these in this beautiful location for years to come.  

Ben & Will Easter 2012