A Match Made in Art & Design Heaven

Few partnerships in the art and design world feel as natural as the one between designer Robert Stilin and gallerist Sarah Gavlak. With nearly 25 years of friendship and a shared passion for contemporary art and interiors, the duo has come together to create Living with Art and Design, a striking exhibition at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach. Photos by Tim Lenz.

Robert Stilin and Sarah Gavlak. Photo by Tim Lenz.

Set within the historic Norton House—the former residence of sculptor Ann Weaver Norton—Living with Art and Design brings together contemporary artworks from Gavlak’s esteemed gallery with Stilin’s curated selection of high-end furniture, lighting, and décor sourced from New York’s top design galleries. The result is a space that feels not like a traditional exhibition but like the dream home of an art aficionado, where every object tells a story and every room invites visitors to linger.

For over two decades, Stilin and Gavlak have cultivated a friendship rooted in their mutual love for contemporary art and design. “Sarah and I have been friends and colleagues for nearly 25 years,” Stilin shares. “We thought it would be a great idea to take the fun we have together and fuse it with our work and personal passions.” Their collaboration is a natural fit. Stilin, known for his ability to craft spaces that feel curated yet deeply livable, has transformed homes for some of the world’s top collectors. Gavlak, meanwhile, has built a reputation as a visionary gallerist championing artists whose work pushes boundaries. Together, they have created an exhibition that is both aspirational and inviting. “I couldn’t be more excited to collaborate with Robert on this project,” Gavlak says. “Contemporary art and design go hand in hand—they bring spaces to life and make them truly unforgettable.”

Living with Art and Design, a striking exhibition at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach. Photos by Tim Lenz.

Stilin’s touch is evident in every corner of the exhibition, where furniture and objects from some of the most celebrated designers and galleries—including Maria Pergay, Misha Kahn, Max Lamb, and the Campana Brothers—coexist with contemporary artworks from GAVLAK’s roster. Visitors will find themselves surrounded by an eclectic mix of textures, materials, and styles that together create a dialogue between past and present, classic and avant-garde.

Among the featured artists from GAVLAK, Andrew Brischler’s self-portraits stand out as both whimsical and haunting, drawing from movie history to create evocative, cinematic compositions. Jessica Cannon’s ethereal landscapes, also currently on view at Gavlak’s gallery in West Palm Beach, add a dreamlike serenity to the space. Marilyn Minter’s feminist-infused portraits, with their bold and unapologetic aesthetic, perfectly embody the ethos of Gavlak’s gallery. These artworks, alongside others, help reinforce the exhibition’s central idea: art should be an integral part of everyday life, not just something to be observed in isolation.

Beyond the carefully selected pieces, the setting itself plays a crucial role in the experience of Living with Art and Design. The Norton House, with its rich history and architectural beauty, provides a fitting backdrop for this dialogue between contemporary and historical aesthetics. Originally built in 1925 and later transformed by architect Marion Sims Wyeth, the home has long been a site of artistic expression. Now, thanks to Stilin and Gavlak, it takes on a new life—one that reflects a distinctly modern sensibility while honoring its past.

For Stilin, returning to Palm Beach for this project was particularly meaningful. “I got my start in Palm Beach over thirty years ago,” he reflects. “I thought it would be fun and interesting to come back and put together a show that reflects my point of view on living well in Palm Beach.” That point of view is evident throughout the exhibition, where every detail—whether an antique chair, a striking contemporary painting, or an intricately crafted sculpture—feels intentional and perfectly placed. The result is a space that doesn’t just showcase art and design but elevates the experience of living with them.