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The Mennello Museum of American Art
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Established in 1998, the Mennello Museum of American Art was originally only to exhibit self taught artists, but over the years has come to accept all American Art. The museum was started thanks to the generous donation by the Mennellos out of their personal Earl Cunningham collection to the City of Orlando.
The building chosen to house the paintings was originally built in 1971 by Howard Phillips, son of Dr. Phillips. He chose the spot on Lake Formosa before the surrounding museums (like the Orlando Science Center), or even Princeton St., were ever built. After his death, the City of Orlando bought the house and used it for meeting rooms and office space in the 1980s and 90s.
Forty-four Earl Cunningham paintings are displayed as part of the permanent collection in the museum, whereas the Mennellos have collected over 350 of the total 450 Earl quoted in his diary he had painted. The Mennellos love of his work originated in 1969, before they had married, when Marilyn and a friend decided to visit St. Augustine and see the shops along St. George St. They came across the Over Fork Gallery, an antiques shop, but saw nothing they liked, as soon as they walked back out they noticed the window displaying a couple paintings with a sign that read, “These paintings are not for sale.” The two women immediately ran back inside and tried to talk the man, who happened to be Earl Cunningham, into selling some of his work. He explained, “One day a man will walk in here and offer me $40,000 to put all of them in a museum.” Although he was set on keeping his work together, the girls convinced him to sell them each one. He agreed if they paid him $500 cash each. The girls left and a couple weeks later returned with the money.
After his suicide in 1977, Marilyn spent most of her time tracking down his paintings and distributing them to museums, including the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Since her death in 2006, her husband Michael has been expressing his equal love of art by continuing with her legacy.
Frank Holt, the director, currently chooses pieces for the museum and the bright wall colors that help accent the paintings. It is intriguing to see the pinks and greens of a Cunningham against the bright yellow wall.
The museum currently offers the work of John Sloan, Donald DeLue, Florida Coast to Coast artists, and it’s permanent Earl Cunningham collection. Coming up on February 14 and 15 is the 7th Annual Orlando Folk Festival with live music, dance, storytelling, folk art, and crafts for the kids. Also, the museum offers a family free day every second Sunday of the month, this as well offers crafts for kids and sometimes adults.
