Mennello Museum of American Art facts for kids
The Mennello Museum of American Art is a cool place to see art in Orlando, Florida. It's an art museum located in a beautiful old house. This house used to belong to a kind person named Howard Phillips. You can find it in Loch Haven Park, right next to Lake Formosa.
The museum shows off many different paintings and sculptures. A very special part of the museum is its main collection. This collection features paintings by an artist named Earl Cunningham (1893–1977). Marilyn and Michael Mennello, who are from Winter Park, Florida, generously gave these paintings to the museum. Besides Cunningham's art, the museum also displays works by other American artists. These include both traditional and modern art.
The Mennello Museum first opened its doors on November 22, 1998. The city of Orlando owns and runs the museum.
Where to Find the Museum
The Mennello Museum of American Art is in a special area of Orlando. This area is called Loch Haven Cultural Park. It's a district full of museums and places for learning. The museum is directly across the street from other fun spots. These include the Orlando Science Center and the Orlando Museum of Art. It's also near the Orlando Repertory Theater.
The building itself was once a private home. It was later given to the city of Orlando to become a museum. The museum sits right on the edge of Lake Formosa. Its outdoor area has a lovely sculpture garden. In this garden, you can see interesting abstract sculptures. These unique artworks were created by an artist named Alice Aycock.
Connected to the Smithsonian
The Mennello Museum is a special partner with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. This means it's a "Smithsonian Affiliate." Because of this partnership, the Mennello Museum has hosted some amazing art shows. These exhibitions were put together by the Smithsonian itself.
For example, some past exhibitions include:
- "Pop Art Prints" in 2016.
- "George Catlin’s American Buffalo" in 2014.
- "African American Art: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, and Beyond" in 2013.
- "1934: A New Deal for Artists" in 2011.