MUSEUMS
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Juan Dale Brown
The new, light-filled art space will allow studio coordinator Robin Makowski
to offer classes and workshops and programs for youngsters.
original museum but on the fill created by its demolition —
and it was built by contributions from many donors with a
vision of what the Elliott could be. The overall project, including
design, construction, exhibitions and furnishings, was
budgeted at $20 million. Jennifer Esler, president and CEO
of the museum since February 2012, says, “Our major donor
was the Elliott R. Donnelley family. We also received gifts
from Martin County, the Frances Langford Foundation, and
the State of Florida Department of Cultural Affairs. We have
had dozens of other donors.” Additional projects are in the
works for after the grand opening, as fund-raising continues,
Esler says. “There are two wonderful exhibitions planned
for the second floor, and media productions to enhance the
exhibitions throughout the building.”
Esler sees the new Elliott as an important and beloved part
of the culture of Martin County, as it has been for more than
50 years. “That will not change,” she says. “The new facility
will allow the museum to do more things better ... offer more
programming. For example, a better art studio space so we
can hold more classes, a small theater for films and lectures,
and a wonderful system for displaying the Donnelley collection
of Ford Model A commercial vehicles.”
CAR DISPLAY
That vehicle-racking system incorporates one of Sterling Elliott’s
contributions to the modern world. To view one of the
55 vehicles in the multi-level Wheels of Change exhibit, one
just pushes a button and the machine selected is transported
to a Sterling Elliott-design auto turntable. >>
JUAN DALE BROWN
The Elliott’s extensive baseball collection is displayed in new cabinets.
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