Marilyn Mennello, A Local Arts Advocate and Cultural Pioneer

When we think of Orlando’s arts scene today, we picture galleries, local festivals, and cultural institutions that draw visitors from near and far. Behind much of this vibrancy are pioneers whose passion helped lay the foundation for everything we enjoy now, and one notable figure is Marilyn Mennello. While many recognize her name through the Mennello Museum of American Art, fewer know the many ways she shaped Orlando’s cultural community long before the museum opened.

Marilyn’s influence on the city’s arts began in 1964, when she was appointed Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee for the City of Orlando, placing her at the forefront of local cultural initiatives. The following year, in 1965, she founded a volunteer group of 101 women, later known as Council of 101, to raise funds for the Loch Haven Arts Center, which would later become home to the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA).

Founded in 1924 as the Orlando Art Association, the Loch Haven Arts Center began as a small gallery where local artists met informally to display and critique their work. By 1960, the Loch Haven Arts Center was built with community-raised funds, designed by architect James Gamble Rogers III to serve as a hub for visual arts, classes, and cultural events. Marilyn’s Council of 101 played a crucial role in supporting and sustaining the center, fundraising for exhibitions, programs, and educational initiatives.

In 1986, the Art Center formally became the Orlando Museum of Art, evolving into a leading cultural institution in the Southeast. Marilyn’s early advocacy helped ensure the museum could grow into the world-class facility it is today.

In 1969, Marilyn’s journey in art took a personal turn when she and her husband Michael encountered the evocative folk paintings of Earl Cunningham on a trip to St. Augustine. Captivated by his work, Marilyn didn’t just collect his paintings, she embraced his vision and became determined to share it with the world.

She arranged exhibitions of Cunningham’s art, even displaying works in her own home, turning her living space into a makeshift gallery devoted to his unique expression. Her advocacy helped transform Cunningham from a local curiosity into a nationally recognized figure in folk art, and his work now forms the heart of the MMAA collection.

The building that houses the MMAA was originally the private home of Dr. Phillips, the prominent Orlando businessman and philanthropist. Marilyn and Michael worked with the City of Orlando to transform this historic home into a museum space that could preserve and showcase their extensive collection of Earl Cunningham paintings while also welcoming the community to explore a broader range of American art. Opened in 1998, it now features Cunningham’s works alongside rotating exhibitions and a scenic sculpture garden, which is a lasting tribute to Marilyn’s vision of art as a shared, communal experience.

Marilyn Mennello Timeline

• In 1964, was appointed Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee (City of Orlando)
• In 1965, founded Council of 101, a volunteer group of 101 women dedicated to fundraising
• In 1969, discovered artist Earl Cunningham in St. Augustine
• In 1986, Loch Haven Arts Center became the Orlando Museum of Art
• In 1988, Mennello Museum of American Art opened in Dr Phillips/ former home