Category Archives: 2020

2020

Mennello Museum of American Art Officially Open

Mennello Museum of American Art is Officially Open.

The Mennello Museum of American Art is open with new safety provisions and limited capacity in place. We are excited to welcome you back to a safe place for you to be inspired through art and culture.

Museum guidelines allow for 25% capacity access, and we will require masks for all visitors to ensure your safety and the safety of our staff. We have an online booking option, so you are welcome to schedule your visit in advance. At this time there are no group tours ir workshops available inside the museum. Some programs, such as virtual tours and other events, will continue to be offered online-only at mennellomuseum.org. We have taken enhanced health and safety measures, and request guests follow all posted instructions while visiting the museum.

COVID-19 Warning

We have taken enhanced health and safety measures—for you, our other Guests, and Staff. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting the museum.

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and Guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.

By visiting the Mennello Museum of American Art you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

Help keep each other healthy. Thank you.

About the Museum
The Mennello Museum of American Art, owned and operated by the City of Orlando, is located on the beautiful shore of Lake Formosa in Orlando’s Loch Haven Cultural Park. The museum provides residents and visitors welcoming opportunities to understand and value creativity through innovative experiences with art further connecting it to nature and communal gathering. Our goal is to encourage creative and diverse experiences with art that nurtures audiences while reflecting the dynamic relationship between art and society.  In addition to housing the permanent collection of folk modernist Earl Cunningham, the museum presents temporary exhibitions that feature a broad range of American art from traditional to contemporary practices.

The Mennello Museum is located at 900 E. Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803

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2020, past

Construct: Our Orlando & American Youth: Cause

(October 2, 2020 – January 10, 2021)

Construct: Our Orlando presents artists Don Rimx (b. San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1981) and the collective Lemon Press [Anna Cruz (b. Manila, Philippines, 1992) and Adam Lavigne (b. Hillsboro, Missouri, 1988)]. In their individual practices, Don Rimx examines the shaping of Afro-Caribbean American identity through the lens of anatomy, place, and portraiture, while Lemon Press explore visual mapping of both time and language through storytelling and communication. These artists consider oppositions and challenge what has traditionally been considered high and low in art – classic and historic elements of drawing, mural making, print, and illustration converge in vibrant contemporary portraits and invented narratives that immediately draw the viewer into the canvas searching for a new way of perceiving the world through the artists’ creations.

The exhibition American Youth: Cause provides a space for the developing voices of our talented Orlando teen residents to engage in conversation about their own art and ideas. Exhibited artists were selected by museum Curator of Art and Education, Katherine Page, after an open call to all students throughout Orange County to explore the multiple definitions and meanings of “cause” in their artwork. From motivation and origination to principle, subject matter, and action – the cause belongs in the hands of the artist. Eight finalists were chosen for this juried exhibition based on the excellence of their work and personal narratives of their creative processes.

Maria Arias Correa (12th Grade, Cypress Creek High School)

Taylor Davidson (11th Grade, Boone High School)

Miller Georgoudiou (10th Grade, Edgewater High School)

Kiley Mack (10th Grade, Boone High School)

Lindsay Merrill (12th Grade, Bishop Moore Catholic)

Leliet Moran (11th Grade, Cypress Creek High School)

Amaya Nash (11th Grade, Boone High School)

Mackenzie Werking (10th Grade, Boone High School

Read about Don Rimx and Lemon Press’ work in the e-publication. (English Language)
Read about Don Rimx and Lemon Press’ work in the e-publication. (Spanish Language )
Read about Don Rimx and Lemon Press’ work in the e-publication. (Tagalog Language )
2020, press releases

Mennello Museum of American Art Officially Reopens June 2.

The Mennello Museum of American Art plans Phase One reopening of the museum beginning June 2, 2020 with new safety provisions and limited capacity in place. We are excited to welcome you back to a safe place for you to be inspired through art and culture. During this new Phase One period, we are pleased to allow access to our wonderful exhibitions and collection of art once again.

We ask for your patience as we open with new safety protocols. Guidelines allow only 25% capacity access, and we will require masks for all visitors for your safety and ours. We have a new online booking option, so you will be able to schedule your visit in advance. There will be no group tours, workshops, or events in the first stage of reopening. Some programs, such as virtual tours and other events, will continue to be offered online-only at mennellomuseum.org. We have taken enhanced health and safety measures, and request guests follow all posted instructions while visiting the museum. First Friday Tours, Free Family Day, and Bank of America’s Museums on Us program are cancelled for June. Our Yoga in the Sculpture Garden on June 28 will take place with additional social distancing for stretching.

We are excited to reopen our building as a place for learning, inspiration, reflection, and comfort, but do so with cautious optimism.  All current exhibitions that had opened before the museum closed on March 17 will be extended. We are tremendously appreciative of the enthusiastic cooperation of the artists and collectors who have worked so diligently with us to make our schedule adjustments possible.

New dates for current and upcoming exhibitions —

Construct: Our Orlando featuring local artists Don Remix and Lemmon Press originally scheduled to open May 28 will open October 2, 2020 and close January 10, 2021.

American Artists in the Southwest: Prints from the Melanson Holt Collection originally scheduled to open September 25, 2020 will now open January 22, 2021 and run through April 25, 2021.

Our Collection and Earl Cunningham exhibition galleries are open.

Our Marilyn L. Mennello Sculpture Garden is open every day and is a beautiful spot to enjoy wellness and respite on Lake Formosa while experience the work by renowned artists Alice Aycock and Albert Paley and more!

We look forward to welcoming members, friends, visitors and new audiences to the museum. Enjoy your visit and we thank you for your kindness.

COVID-19 Warning

We have taken enhanced health and safety measures—for you, our other Guests, and Staff. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting the museum.

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and Guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.

By visiting the Mennello Museum of American Art you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

Help keep each other healthy. Thank you.

About the Museum
The Mennello Museum of American Art, owned and operated by the City of Orlando, is located on the beautiful shore of Lake Formosa in Orlando’s Loch Haven Cultural Park. The museum provides residents and visitors welcoming opportunities to understand and value creativity through innovative experiences with art further connecting it to nature and communal gathering. Our goal is to encourage creative and diverse experiences with art that nurtures audiences while reflecting the dynamic relationship between art and society.  In addition to housing the permanent collection of folk modernist Earl Cunningham, the museum presents temporary exhibitions that feature a broad range of American art from traditional to contemporary practices.

The Mennello Museum is located at 900 E. Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803

Website  ·  Facebook  ·  Instagram  ·  Twitter

2020, press releases

City of Orlando leadership has officially made the decision to temporary close the Mennello Museum of American Art to the public beginning March 19, through May 1 (subject to change).

This decision was made in an effort to remain cautious regarding our members, visitors, docents and team, and the Orlando community as a whole.  All events and programs through May 1 will be postponed until further notice.

We will continue to monitor the situation and follow the advice and guidance from government and health officials.

Please revisit this page of our website or social media channels for the latest updates.  If you have immediate questions or concerns, please contact us at 407.246.4278 or mennello.museum@cityoforlando.net.

Thank you for your patience and support.  We look forward to welcoming you back to the museum when we reopen.”

2020, past

Mira Lehr: High Water Mark

On view January 24 – September 13, 2020

Mira Lehr’s entire career as an artist has focused on the natural world and our relationship with our surroundings. Her residence in Miami, with a studio nestled right on the water, has obviously steered her work towards the waterways and open ocean that form such an integral part of life in Florida.

A “high water mark” indicates a literal measurement for the highest point the water level reaches in a given area at a particular time. However, alternate meanings of the term suggest maximum value in various other sectors of life. It seems fitting, then, that this phrase should be applied to the work of an artist whose career spans five decades, building toward a well-earned peak. Lehr’s recent work has been lauded by critics for the meaningful and contemplative commentary she offers on a timely and contentious subject, the state of our natural world. However, her sense of wonder and optimism about humanity’s ability to rise to the occasion with solutions guides both her life and work.

As an eco-feminist artist from Miami whose career spans five decades, her nature-based imagery encompasses painting, design, sculpture and video installations. Lehr’s processes include non-traditional media such as resin, gunpowder, fire, Japanese paper, dyes and welded steel.

Lehr has affected a new generation of young artists by serving as a mentor and collaborator, teaching master classes with the National Young Arts Foundation.  She has also been an artist in residence at the Bascom Summer Programs.

Join us for the opening reception on January 24.