Who the #$&% Is Norton?

Before we get too rude, I must tell you about my latest art acquisition. (Roll over Rockafella- artists always have the best art collections.)

My new “action painting”, pictured above, was purchased, not from a toney art gallery, amid the clink of champagne glasses and hushed conversation, but from the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, in Virginia Beach, amid the squeals of delighted children and the sound of water.

Come and meet the artist - Norton, the harbor seal:

Norton is part of the Virginia Aquarium's Harbor Seal training program, designed to stimulate the minds and emotions of the seals in the collection. One of the activities in which they engage the animals is a painting program and the results are sold in the gift shop in order to help raise money for future programs. I spoke to one of the animal care specialists, a young woman who also took Norton’s picture for me. She informed me that the seals do indeed enjoy the activities. She also told me that it was quite remarkable that Norton was even able to paint, because as you can see, Norton is blind in one eye from a marine accident. He is also nearly blind in his other eye because of advancing age:

Nevertheless, his small creations are regularly produced in the program and he does enjoy safety and comfort in his home at the museum.

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center offers a Harbor Seal Splash experience in which a visitor can go into the water with the seals and work with them and even have them paint a picture for the visitor to take home. It is offered only in the summer months and so I was not able to attend this time, but I will certainly plan it for future visits.