Orlando, FL — October 27, 2017
The Mennello Museum of American Art is thrilled to announce the acquisition and unveiling of a new sculpture, Siren I by Barbara Sorensen, to the museum’s permanent collection. The artist herself has generously donated the empowering piece to grace the museum’s Marilyn L. Mennello Sculpture Garden.
Shannon Fitzgerald, Mennello Museum Executive Director, states: “We are delighted to add Siren I by Barbara Sorensen to the museum’s permanent collection and feature it so prominently in our re-invigorated Marilyn L. Mennello Sculpture Garden as the first woman artist in our outdoor collection.” She continues, “Barbara is an important artist in our region and has contributed so much to the cultural landscape of Central Florida; it is an honor to add this signature piece to our collection and share it with our community. This is the third gift of art kindly donated by the artist whose solo exhibition and museum catalog in 2016 highlighted the first gifts. I am delighted to unveil Barbara Sorensen’s work, and I sincerely thank her for sharing her wonderful artistry, and philanthropy.”
Sorensen’s exploration of the landscape as inspiration in her sculptural practice has been described by renowned art historian Elanor Heartney as “poetic images drawn from nature.” Sorensen’s Siren I is an extension of her ceramic chalices, twisted and formed, brought to staggering heights, transformed from sacred container to a realized figural form, a personal and methodological testimony to formation. For Heartney, the Goddesses specifically express “an ideal of life as a process of continual transformation…Blending the vessel and the female body, these embody s feminine spirit celebrating the generative processes of woman and artist.”
Please join Shannon Fitzgerald and Barbara Sorensen for the unveiling of Siren I on November 3 in the Marilyn L. Mennello Sculpture Garden.
Sculpture Unveiling: Siren I
Friday, November 3
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Join us for the unveiling of Siren I, a large-scale bronze sculpture by Orlando based artist and Winter Park resident Barbara Sorensen, from her “Goddess” series.
In celebration of Sorensen’s Siren, Better Than Sex – A Dessert Restaurant will present visitors with a curated beverage, “The Sirens Kiss”, and dessert, “Golden Goddess.”
PLEASE NOTE THE BELOW REQUIRED CREDITS FOR IMAGES:
IMAGES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s28n4ijthw0yk3b/AAAb-SenbAqpgFMDf9Or7lBNa?dl=0
Barbara Sorensen. Siren I, 2003, bronze, Gift of the artist
Collection of the Mennello Museum of American Art, 2017.03.01
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.
On view now through January 7, 2018, Time and Thought: Art of the United States from the Cornell Fine Arts Museum.
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The Mennello Museum is located at 900 E. Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803.
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The Mennello Museum of American Art is generously supported by the City of Orlando and Friends of The Mennello Museum of American Art. Additional funding is provided by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program and United Arts of Central Florida.
Francesca Ascione
Marketing & Graphic Design Coordinator
The Mennello Museum of American Art and Public Art, City of Orlando
francesca.ascione@cityoforlando.net
407.246.4113