Mennello Museum to ‘grow up’ thanks to dramatic face-lift
$20 million expansion would allow more of city’s art collection kept in storage to be seen by public
Executive director Shannon Fitzgerald says there is one driving idea behind a dramatic $20 million expansion of the Mennello Museum of American Art: “Do we want to stay the same, or do we want to grow up?”
The Mennello, owned by the City of Orlando, will turn 21 years old in November. Established by
Michael A. and Marilyn Logsdon Mennello, the museum has been housed at Loch Haven Park in what was once the private home of Howard Phillips, son of noted philanthropist Dr. Philip Phillips.
While the house has made for an intimate and charming museum, Fitzgerald said, its space limitations have greatly curtailed the types of exhibits and educational programs the museum could offer. The planned new museum will be four times larger than the current structure and include 13,222 square feet of gallery space. That would allow more of the city’s art collection, much of which is kept in storage, to go on view for the public.
After all, “Why secure American art that’s never going to be seen?” Fitzgerald asks.
Other new amenities include galleries devoted to local artists and space for a pop-up café and gift shop.
A few weeks ago, the museum announced it had selected Brooks + Scarpa, which has offices in Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles, and Orlando-based KMF Architects to design the new structure
— which will envelop the current building.
The design, with an emphasis on natural Florida light, cypress wood and striated concrete inspired by Spanish moss, marks a radical change from the current home.
But Fitzgerald said the goal is to still create an inviting space with homey appeal. To that end, about 8,000 square feet of decks, balconies and patios are part of the design — places to gaze at Lake Formosa, catch a glimpse of the museum’s sculpture garden or consider the juxtaposition of art and nature.
“Everybody understands a porch in Florida,” said Fitzgerald, who began running the museum in the fall of 2015. “It’s welcoming.”
Those porches and outside amenities, which will likely include a dock and a gazebo, will join a new indoor public space that can be used for weddings, parties and other events. Renting those spaces will earn income for the museum.
A new education area, of more than 2,000 square feet, will have classrooms for students and adults to learn more about art. The plans also call for more office and storage space.
The Mennello’s sculpture garden would remain intact, though slightly relocated. The parking lot would also move — to the side of the building facing a nearby parking garage. The current lot would become additional green space.
A statement from the architect team said the design’s sleek white walls, natural materials and use of light “is both futuristic and timeless.”
“More than just a building, it is a civic place for social interaction, bringing people closer to art, each other and to nature, providing an opportunity for new, immersive, art experiences,” the statement read.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer also stressed the connection between the museum and Central Floridians.
“Our residents value the Mennello Museum on beautiful Lake Formosa, and as the museum reaches more people in our community, through more familyfriendly programs, compelling exhibitions and timely events, more residents and visitors have meaningful experiences with art and connection to Orlando,” Dyer said in a statement.
The Mennello always has been a private-public partnership. For the expansion project, the city donated the land and the Friends of the Mennello nonprofit will raise the $20 million needed for construction.
The Friends have hired professional fundraising consultants, Fitzgerald said.
The hope is to raise 50-60 percent of the necessary money by summer 2020 and then move forward with construction.
The community is behind the expansion, said Fitzgerald, who has met with local neighborhood associations, Main Street community-building programs and businesses. In fact, the impetus for the expansion came from surveys that asked residents their thoughts about the museum.
“The overwhelming message was we want you to exist, but you need to improve,” Fitzgerald said.
And while the physical space of the Mennello will appear different, she thinks the spirit of the museum will remain the same.
“It will be a lot bigger,” Fitzgerald said, “but I think we can keep it feeling intimate.”