Norah Sharpe Stone
Norah Sharpe Stone | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 6, 1938 Golden Valley, Alberta, Canada |
| Died | September 6, 2019 (aged 81) |
| Occupation(s) | Philanthropist, vintner, art collector |
| Known for | Collection of modern and contemporary art; philanthropy; vintner in Napa Valley |
Norah Sharpe Stone (August 6, 1938 – September 6, 2019) was a philanthropist, vintner, and collector of modern and contemporary art, originally from Canada but later an American resident. She shared her passions with her husband, Norman C. Stone.
Biography
Stone was born in Golden Valley, Alberta, Canada. She obtained a nursing degree from the University of Alberta and later earned a law degree at the San Francisco Law School. Additionally, she pursued art studies at the Sorbonne and the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Her professional background encompassed nursing as well as corporate legal work.
In 1986, she wed philanthropist and art enthusiast Norman C. Stone. Together, they amassed an important collection of contemporary and modern artworks, which they displayed across their residences in San Francisco and the Napa Valley. Their holdings feature pieces by artists such as Jan de Cock, Robert Gober, Jeff Koons, Cady Noland, Richard Prince, Richard Serra, Keith Tyson, Christopher Wool, Andy Warhol, Marcel Duchamp, Hans Bellmer, and Tony Conrad.
Their Napa Valley property, known as Stonescape, includes an art cave designed by Bade Stageberg Cox along with a pavilion and pool created by James Turrell. The grounds were landscaped by Tom Leader. Situated within the Diamond Mountain District AVA of Napa Valley, Stonescape gained recognition in the 1990s for its merlot wines marketed under the Azalea Springs brand. After replanting with select premium cabernet sauvignon vines around 2000, the estate began producing wines under the AZS label, with intentions to release subsequent vintages as Stonescape Wines.
Stone held a trustee position at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and participated in the National Committee of New York's Whitney Museum as well as London's Tate International Council. She also led the W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation as chairperson. In 2007, San Francisco Magazine honored her among the city's best-dressed individuals. The Stones were recognized by Art News as part of their Top 200 Collectors list.
Norah Sharpe Stone died in California in 2019 at the age of 81.
References