Only a year after taking the position of director and CEO of the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Adam Levine announced he will be leaving the institution in late April.
In his place, Atlantic Beach resident Kerrie Slattery has been appointed as interim director while a nationwide search is held. The museum announced the decision on March 19. Slattery said the pandemic hasn’t interrupted the Cummer Museum’s mission too much, however.
“Under Adam’s leadership we are in a really positive financial situation,” Slattery said. “We are still paying our employees. He is handing it over to me financially sound. We can close our doors and serve the public quite easily while still being able to check on all the essential facility requirements.”
Slattery said employees are currently working from home and already planning for the museum to be re-opening its doors again, including exhibition schedules and Summer at the Cummer.
“Last year, Summer at the Cummer was extremely successful,” Slattery said. “The community came out in full force – families, couples, you name it. Everyone in the community was just thrilled (to attend).”
This year, Summer at the Cummer, which includes free admission, live music and patio games on Friday nights, will correspond with the Buddha and Shiva, Lotus and Dragon exhibit.
For now, Slattery encourages residents and museum lovers to follow the Cummer Museum on social media, where they are participating in the national #museumsathome effort.
“Right now, we are putting our energies into reopening, but also communicating through social media,” Slattery said. “We are trying to keep people engaged and busy with fun things to look at.”
Currently the Cummer is featuring art projects to do with children at home and virtual cooking classes through the museum’s café, among art and historical interest posts on its Facebook page.
“Currently, the garden is blooming and it’s beautiful,” Slattery said. “We are taking pictures and posting them so people can get a little bit of nature from home.”
To learn more about upcoming events at the Cummer Museum of Art & Garden, visit them at www.CummerMuseum.org or follow them on social media at @TheCummerMuseum.
