Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellie Saylor.
Hi Ellie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I serve as the Volunteer and Membership Coordinator at the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, where I help shape the welcoming experience visitors feel from the moment they walk through our doors. As a Winter Park native and Lake Howell High School graduate, this role feels especially meaningful to me. I grew up in this community, and now I get to help steward one of its most treasured cultural spaces.
Our story as a foundation begins with Albin Polasek, one of the most respected American sculptors of the 20th century. Born in Czechoslovakia, Polasek immigrated to the United States in 1901 and worked his way through the art world. After studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and in Rome, he spent much of his career leading the Sculpture Department at the Art Institute of Chicago.
In 1950, Polasek retired to Winter Park, where he continued creating art even after suffering a major stroke that left him paralyzed on his left side and wheelchair bound. Determined to preserve his life’s work, he established what would become the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens with the help of his second wife, Emily Muska Kubat Polasek, in 1961. Today, the museum houses more than 200 of his works and continues his legacy through art, education, and community engagement.
Visitors can explore his historic home and private chapel, stroll through the sculpture gardens, enjoy rotating quarterly exhibitions, and participate in various programming. In my role, I work closely with volunteers across reception and tour guides, gardening, and special events to ensure every guest feels seen and valued. I also focus on cultivating a diverse and engaged membership base, building long-term relationships that encourage people to feel connected to the museum for years to come.
My academic journey has shaped how I approach this work. I earned my undergraduate degree in Art History from the University of South Florida in Tampa, where I discovered my passion for museums as spaces of storytelling and community impact. I am now pursuing my Master’s in Museum Studies through the University of Oklahoma’s online program, which allows me to bring current research and museum management strategies directly into my day-to-day work at the Polasek.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the greatest ongoing challenges for the museum is visibility. While we are located in the heart of Winter Park, our campus is tucked between private residences along Lake Osceola. As someone who grew up here, I understand how easy it is for people to drive by without realizing what is behind our gates. We regularly hear, “I didn’t even know this place existed,” or “I can’t believe this was all right here this whole time.”
Because we are not situated on a major commercial corridor or tourist strip, attracting new visitors requires intentional outreach, strategic partnerships, and creative programming. Through my work in membership and volunteer engagement, I see firsthand how personal connection drives discovery. When someone attends an event, becomes a member, or volunteers their time, they often become ambassadors for the museum in the wider community.
We have recently expanded our programming to reach new audiences, including launching Polasek Nights, a young adult centered event series. These after-hours experiences include a bar, interactive activities, and the chance to explore the gardens and galleries in a more relaxed atmosphere. On May 21st, we are hosting a College Edition with access to a UCF student juried exhibit, karaoke, and a cash bar. These programs are part of our broader effort to ensure new generations feel welcomed into the museum space.
Our biggest help for exposure and funding is the Winter Park Paint Out, which occurs every year during the last full week of April from April 19 to April 25. The museum offers free admission all week while 23 artists paint plein-air across campus and around Winter Park. Visitors can watch artists create in real time, attend demonstrations, and enjoy special events like our ticketed garden party. All works created during the week are exhibited and available for purchase in our gallery.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Currently, our gallery and programming centers on presenting thoughtful and engaging exhibitions. Our current exhibit, Renaissance Alchemy: Egg and Gold, runs from December 16 through April 12 and showcases the work of current artist Sandy Thibeault. Her paintings are inspired by Renaissance traditions and are created using authentic historical tools and techniques, including making her own egg tempera and 24k golf leaf. This exhibit has been complemented by a series of engaging programs designed to deepen visitor understanding. In January, we hosted Renaissance Family Day, which welcomed families for a day of free hands-on activities inspired by the renaissance. On February 19, local art conservator Diana Galante is presenting a lecture exploring the history and preservation of egg tempera and gilding techniques. On March 5, Sandy Thibeault will lead an interactive workshop where participants can create their own egg tempera and gilded artwork.
All of our programs are designed to connect visitors more closely with the artistic process and can be found on our website, social medias, or eventbrite.
Looking ahead, we are excited to collaborate with UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design on our next exhibition. This upcoming juried show will focus on the theme of identity and will highlight students emerging in our area.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
We love the Bloomberg app as it gives visitors access to more information about our museum and gardens both on and off-campus. This includes a self-guided audio tour that gives information about our sculptures.
Pricing:
- $12 for Adults
- $10 for Seniors and College Students
- $7 for K-12 students; Free for under 4
- Memberships starting at $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://polasek.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polasekmuseum/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PolasekMuseum
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-polasek-museum-&-sculpture-gardens/
