Cleveland Museum of Art Acquires New Fernandez Mural
The museum commissioned artist Teresita Fernandez to create a large-scale ceramic work for its public concourse.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Fine Art
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The Cleveland Museum of Art has officially acquired Soil Horizon(Cleveland), a commissioned artwork by artist Teresita Fernandez. The piece is slated for installation in the Jane and Jon Outcalt Family Concourse.
Why it matters
The acquisition marks the final phase of a major renovation project designed to improve the flow between the museum's North Lobby and the Ames Family Atrium.
The installation consists of thousands of tiny square ceramic tesserae arranged across two large-scale wall murals. The project complements the 2024 renovation of the Horace Kelley Art Foundation North Lobby.
The players
Cleveland Museum of Art
This institution is a prominent art museum located in Cleveland that houses a diverse collection spanning six thousand years of human history.
Teresita Fernandez
She is a renowned visual artist and 2005 MacArthur Foundation Fellow whose work is frequently noted for its connection to landscape and materials.
The details
The artwork will be placed in the Jane and Jon Outcalt Family Concourse to visually and physically connect the museum's lobby with the Ames Family Atrium. Teresita Fernandez is a recipient of the 2005 MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.
Timeline
Teresita Fernandez received a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in 2005.
The museum completed its renovation of the North Lobby in 2024.
Installation of the ceramic artwork is scheduled for February 2027.
Industry Dynamics
This acquisition underscores a broader trend of major cultural institutions investing in site-specific installations to bridge functional architectural spaces with public art. By integrating works from distinguished artists like a MacArthur Foundation Fellow, museums elevate their public-facing lobbies into primary exhibition galleries.
Visitors to the Cleveland Museum of Art will be able to view the new ceramic murals once they are installed in the concourse. This addition provides museum-goers with a permanent, public-facing installation that enhances the transit experience between the North Lobby and the Ames Family Atrium.
The takeaway
Large-scale public art commissions serve as a bridge between structural architecture and the visitor experience. Integrating such works allows cultural institutions to transform utilitarian hallways into meaningful focal points for the community.
What happens next
The installation of the Soil Horizon(Cleveland) murals is scheduled to begin in February 2027.
Further reading
Explore the local Fine Art landscape to see how major commissions are shaping regional cultural spaces.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Artdaily.
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