The Orlando Museum of Art (Website) announced Monday, February 17 that Glen Gentele had resigned as the director after eight years with the institution.

Gentele was hired to the position 2012 and succeeded in reinvigorating its perception in the community and abroad through an expanded series of art exhibitions and events, including the establishment of the blockbuster Florida Prize in Contemporary Art exhibition. Gentele also succeeded in having the entire Florida Prize series, which showcases work by award-winning contemporary artists from across the state, endowed in perpetuity by Gail and Michael Winn.

According to a report by Matthew Palm at Orlando Sentinel, there was allegedly some amount of disharmony between the board, trustees, museum supporters, and Gentele after it was announced that he was entertaining – albeit barely – an offer to potentially relocate the museum to Lake Nona.

The museum partnered with Tavistock in 2015 as part of its “Forward to 100” vision plan that had established a need to find a new home in downtown Orlando. When it became apparent that most suitable sites in the Central Business District were already snatched up, Tavistock allegedly made the offer to relocate the museum to its Lake Nona campus.

Regardless of the reasoning, the director role will be split between Dr. Luder Whitlock and Cynthia R. Wood while the Orlando Museum of Art ramps up for a national search.

Brendan O'Connor

Editor in Chief of Bungalower.com

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