These days, almost anyone can watch (or, sometimes, become) a social-media influencer. Our look-at-me culture and ubiquitous smart technology supports achieving such instant fame, for better or worse.
That wasn’t always the case. There was a time when we carefully curated our influencers as mentors and thought leaders—and when influencers were more impactful than teachers.
In an upcoming exhibition, The Original Influencers: Mernet Larsen, Steve Lotz and Bruce Marsh, the Mennello Museum of American Art will spotlight three teachers who influenced thousands of artists who studied in their classrooms.
The Original Influencers, on view from January 31 to May 25, will showcase works from this trio of living (and legendary) artists who enjoyed long careers in academia. Collectively, in fact, these foundational figures taught for more than a century.
Larsen and Marsh—who joined the faculty of the University of South Florida in Tampa in 1967 and 1969, respectively—both retired in 2003. Lotz, who became the first art professor at Florida Technological University (now the University of Central Florida) in 1968, also retired in 2003. All, however, are still creating new works.
“These artists have such unique ways of depicting the world around them—demonstrating a deep, almost sacred appreciation for nature, humanity and our connections therein,” says Mennello Curator Katherine Page. “Our art scene is rich and vibrant, and it’s these artists and their fellow professors who have had a profound impact on generations of students.”
All three artists featured in The Original Influencers came to Florida from elsewhere and fell in love with the state’s natural beauty. Marsh, for example, is a naturalistic painter interested in the drama of seeing through light and shadow in both natural and manmade landscapes.
Larsen depicts monumentalized memories of geometric figure landscapes and objects compacted into proportional, non-organic configurations. Lotz describes his own approach as “organic imaginative.” His spectacular “Florida Dream” mural greets millions of visitors yearly who arrive at the main terminal of Orlando International Airport.
During the run of The Original Influencers, the Mennello will host curators who have specialized in the types of work on display. In addition, a curator conversation about each artist will be held. The Mennello Museum of American Art is located at 900 East Princeton Street, Orlando, in Loch Haven Park.
For more information, visit mennellomuseum.org 407.246.4278
—Richard Reep
