Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017
11am-1pm

Join us for an artist talk and gallery tour with Bo Bartlett. Enjoy this exclusive opportunity with Bo and immerse yourself in his larger than life paintings.

Bo Bartlett: American Artist Opening Reception
Friday, January 27

Members-only Preview
5:30 – 6:30 pm

Public Opening Reception
Free for members | $5 for Visitors
6:30 – 8:30 pm

Please join Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer in celebration of the opening of BO BARTLETT: AMERICAN ARTIST

The City of Orlando, Friends of the Mennello Museum of American Art, The Mennello Museum Board of Trustees together with Executive Director, Shannon Fitzgerald, invite you for an evening celebrating the work of one of the most significant American Realist painters working today.

Catering by Fleming’s Steakhouse

View the photos from this year’s Gala.

Each year, the ArtEvents Council of The Friends of The Mennello Museum of American Art hosts an elegant gala to raise funds for the Museum’s collections, exhibitions, programs and the Honorable Marilyn Logsdon Mennello Fund. The 14th Annual “An Evening with Fabulous Friends Gala” will take place on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World.

Take a look at the 2017 Program.

Honoring Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

Join co-chairs Sam Azar and Vanessa Ketcham, along with the Friends Board, in celebrating The Mennello Museum and honoring Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer for his leadership in advancing the arts. Buddy Dyer has served as Mayor since 2003, and from his first day in office, he has worked tirelessly to advance the community’s shared vision for Orlando as America’s 21st Century City. Mayor Dyer has defined Orlando as America’s new home for inclusiveness, opportunity and quality of life, with a strong focus on innovation, transportation, sustainability and government efficiency.

Michael A. Mennello, Founder and Friends of The Mennello Museum of American Art President, states: “Mayor Dyer is a mayor of the arts in Orlando. We thank him from the bottom of our hearts for his vision of understanding what art brings to our community and to the people.”

2017 Gala Signature Artwork

Each year, the Gala committee selects a work of art by an American artist as inspiration for the gala. The signature artwork for the 2017 Gala is titled Wall Street. (Laurence Campbell, American (b. 1939), Wall Street, oil on canvas, courtesy Michael A. Mennello.)

Mennello Museum Invitational

In addition, all work in the inaugural Mennello Museum Invitational exhibition, on view at The Mennello Museum from February 14 through March 3, will also be featured and available for purchase at the Gala. Local artists include Victor Bokas, Shosh C, Mindy Colton, Nancy Jay, Richard Munster, Jackie Otto Miller, Victor Quino, Maria Ramos, Paul T. Scarborough and Katty Smith. All artists have generously donated 50% of their proceeds to benefit The Mennello Museum.  The Mennello Museum Invitational serves to support our local artists, provide visibility for their work, and introduce them to new collectors while providing our community an amazing opportunity to build their collection of art.

Entertainment

Dance the night away with with live music by Umoja and performances by Fretless Rock.  Be sure to take part in both our live and silent auction.

Sponsorship

We still have a few tables available! Take a look at our 2017 Sponsorship Packet, and contact us today to purchase a table.

Tickets and Rooms

Tickets start at $375. For tickets call 407.246.4278 ext. 4860.

Room rates at The Four Seasons are $299/night and can be booked at www.foursesasons.com/orlando.

Thank you!
Our hearts were filled with so much love this past weekend as we welcomed nearly 5,000 of our friends to the museum grounds for our third annual Indie-Folkfest. What a fantastic day! Guests enjoyed beautiful weather in our lakeside sculpture garden complete with local music, food, beverages and art.

Thank you to our all our bands, vendors and local artisans/artists for being such an integral and cherished part of our community, and for sharing your time and talents with us this weekend. And, of course, thank you to all who came out to the museum and made the day a huge success!

A big thank you to our sponsors who have generously supported the event:

Laughlin-Beers Foundation
Central Florida Lifestyle Magazine
City of Orlando Families Parks and Recreation Department
City of Orlando
Orlando Venues
Orlando Weekly
The Young Law Firm of Florida
Martin Federal Credit Union
America’s Escape Game Orlando
V Group Concepts
Herman’s Loan Office
Barr Financial Services
Cosmetic Promotions, Inc.
Pardy & Rodriguez PA
Good 4 You Guys
Orlando Fringe

This annual free event serves as a gift from the Museum’s City-Appointed Board of Trustees in an effort to promote local art and community. A portion of all proceeds will benefit The Mennello Museum of American Art’s education and family-friendly programs. The Museum’s City of Orlando Board of Trustees members are Jeffrey Gitto; President, John Upperco; Vice President, Teresa Campbell, Gretchen Hahn, Alexandra Steele, Usha Tewari, and Andre Young.

The Mennello Museum of American Art houses the largest collection of work by artist Earl Cunningham (1893-1977). The founding of the permanent collection is based on Cunningham’s work assembled by collectors Marilyn and Michael A. Mennello of Winter Park, Florida.