Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Johanson.
Melanie Johanson currently serves as the Museum Director and Curator of the Cornell Art Museum in Delray Beach, Florida. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University New Orleans and a Post-baccalaureate degree from Tulane University, she spent five years as an art instructor and working for local graphic design firms. Looking for a change of scenery, she and her husband moved to south Florida in 2012 and soon after, she was hired to work under the previous Museum Director at Old School Square. After a year, she stepped into the role of Museum Curator with her debut exhibition that featured various forms of contemporary paper art. Since then, she has guided the Cornell Art Museum through the transition from an American cultural and history museum to one of the leading contemporary art museums in South Florida. Boca Mag has called the Cornell “a fine art destination to rival the Norton and Boca Museums,” Delray Beach Magazine wrote “the Cornell Museum is as young and hip as a Wynwood Gallery,” and Southern Living Magazine urged their readers to “check out the Cornell Art Museum for a little dose of culture.”
Under Johanson’s stewardship, the museum has displayed work by renowned artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Ed Ruscha, Betty Tompkins, Andy Warhol, and Marilyn Minter as well as emerging artists discovered at various fairs and galleries. She has helped establish a network on behalf of the Cornell that spans the country and globe, working with artists, galleries and museums based in NYC, LA, London, Tokyo, Denmark, Paris, and Melbourne. Recent exhibitions include Tech Effect: Technology x Contemporary Art, Looking Glass: Reflective Artwork, Fabricated: Fiber Based Art, and Lit: Elements of Light.
Has it been a smooth road?
GREAT question! My road to Director and Curator was enjoyable, but there were definitely challenges! I guided the museum from an Art and American History museum to what it is today – a contemporary art museum. It was challenging at first to get the message to the community that we had changed focus, but once word of mouth started spreading, the visitors came!
My advice to someone starting in the museum or gallery world would be to learn as much as you can about hanging art, packing and unpacking art, and handling the artwork. Those skills are invaluable, and I think it is usually deemed a role for a man, but as women, we can absolutely handle that type of work. I’ve never been afraid of getting dirty doing my job, and I think that has helped me succeed. Don’t leave the hard stuff to the guys!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Cornell Art Museum – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I have served as the Curator of the Cornell Art Museum since 2014 and recently became the Cornell Art Museum Director, still maintaining the curatorial role as well. I design the exhibitions at the Cornell Art Museum, from the inception of the idea to every piece of artwork that goes into the exhibition. I strive to show artwork that will reach a wide variety of demographics, and do not curate with the expectation that my audience knows everything about museums and art history. I like to show work that, no matter what background a visitor has, they will stop and say “wow” and hopefully be inspired.
I am most proud of the variety of exhibitions we show, and the caliber of the artwork we have here at the Museum. I’m also quite happy to be a part of the umbrella organization, Old School Square, as it has been a beacon for the arts in Delray Beach.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Absolutely! My mom and grandmother ALWAYS took me to the New Orleans Museum of Art as a kid, and I remember my favorite room there, and how it felt to visit my favorite piece of art again. I think that made me realize the value of cultural objects, and caring for them and sharing them with the world.
I was always into art as a child – I drew and painted all the time, and my parents enrolled me in multiple art camps every summer. They fostered my talent and I am thankful for that!
Last thing, my dad is the person in my life from whom I got my work ethic. He worked nonstop for us and even took me to work with him. I have the best memories of that, and he made work fun. I think I bring that to the Cornell, I try to have fun while installing shows and working with people.
Pricing:
- Cornell Art Museum admission is $8 for adults, $5 for kids, seniors, and students
- We are free every first Friday during Delray Beach Art Walk, from 6pm to 9pm
- Our openings and parties are alot of fun, follow @CornellArtMuseum on IG for details!
Contact Info:
- Address: Cornell Art Museum at Old School Square
51 N. Swinton Avenue
Delray Beach, Florida 33444 - Website: cornellartmuseum.org
- Phone: 561-243-7922
- Email: museuminfo@oldschool.org
- Instagram: CornellArtMuseum
- Facebook: OldSchoolSquareCornellArtMuseum
- Twitter: CornellMuseum
- Other: oldschool.org
Image Credit:
Julia Andreasen
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