Press Release

November 23, 2005
Contact Vicki Brodnax at 407-646-2526

rollins college's expanded cornell fine arts museum re-opens in january with special opening events
 

Winter Park, Fla. ― Rollins College’s newly renovated Cornell Fine Arts Museum opens in January with a string of festivities marking the event.  Considered one of America’s top college art museums and home to Florida’s oldest and one of its most distinguished collections, the Cornell opens its doors after 18 months of construction.  The once-nondescript building nestled on the shores of Lake Virginia has been transformed into a spacious architectural jewel that doubles its gallery space and shows off its panoramic lake view.

A formal ribbon-cutting Dedication is slated for Friday, January 20, at 4:30 p.m., followed by a reception.  The long-awaited Grand Opening will be on Sunday, January 22, from 1 to 5 p.m., when three shows will debut ― Eye to Eye, a wide-ranging exhibition on portraiture, 1561 to 2005; Director’s Choice: European Art, 1345 to 1901, a selection of the best of the Museum’s holdings; and Winslow Homer Illustrating War, a group of Homer’s from the Civil War.  A Vernissage, or black-tie gala, is slated for Saturday, January 14, to preview the new Cornell Museum ($125 per ticket).

“While we have lots more space, the Cornell hopefully will retain that special, intimate character that students and visitors loved,” said Arthur Blumenthal, director of the Museum.  “The building was designed with students in mind.  This is their Museum, first and foremost.” The expansion, by ACi architects, doubled the Cornell’s galleries from three to six.  Two of the galleries are dedicated to showing selections from the 5,000+ artworks in the collection, and a two others feature rotating exhibitions.  A Print Study Room was designed for scholars, students, and the public to examine the Museum’s extensive collection of prints and drawings or works in storage, and is in keeping with the Museum’s mission as a teaching facility.  A spacious Education Gallery offers space for classes and community events.  A sloped-back patio and a planned Sculpture Garden complete the landscape design.  In this first phase of the expansion, more than 9,000 sq. ft. have been added or renovated.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.  The admission fee is $5 for adults.  There is no charge for Cornell Museum members; Rollins College faculty, students, and staff; and for all students with identification.  For additional information, please call 407-646-2526 or visit www.rollins.edu/cfam.