On Wednesday, PALMER partnered with Ōlara to host the first Women in Art panel of the season, an evening devoted to the curators, collectors, and civic leaders shaping the cultural life of West Palm Beach. Moderated by PALMER Editorial Director Stefano Tonchi, the conversation brought together three of the region’s most influential voices: Beth DeWoody, collector, patron, and founder of The Bunker Artspace; Kelly Williams, collector and newly appointed Chair of the Board of the Norton Museum of Art; and Sybille Canthal, Director of Arts, Culture, and Community Building for the City of West Palm Beach.
Held at the Olara Sales Gallery, the event drew such a large crowd that many attendees stood throughout the discussion. The conversation unfolded against a backdrop of rapid cultural growth in West Palm Beach, a city increasingly defined by its public art initiatives, new institutions, and an expanding community of collectors and patrons.
Much of the conversation centered on how each woman came to art and how that early interest evolved into a larger sense of responsibility. DeWoody reflected on a lifetime of collecting and patronage that eventually led to the founding of The Bunker Artspace. Williams spoke about her transition from finance and public life to a more central role in the arts, and how her new position as Chair of the Norton Museum of Art carries a distinct civic weight. For Canthal, the focus was on public service and cultural policy, and on using art as a tool to build community and reshape how contemporary work is encountered in daily life.
The panel also addressed the realities of being women in the art world, from persistent disparities in representation to the slower pace of institutional change. While acknowledging progress, all three emphasized the importance of continued advocacy, leadership, and long-term commitment. The evening closed on a personal note, with reflections on what art brings into their lives today and what still lies ahead, underscoring a shared belief in art not only as a private passion, but as a public good with the power to connect, challenge, and endure.
