The Que Throm and Cicero Greathouse Education Studios
An Architectural Rendering of the New Studios.
The new studios will transform the north side of the National Historic Landmark campus, adding state-of-the-art spaces for ceramics, painting, drawing, and flexible instruction, as well as a gallery dedicated to showcasing the work of Que Throm, Cicero Greathouse, and future generations of artists and educators. Designed by architect Mark Straite, the buildings will echo the campus’s signature Mayan Revival and Art Deco style through exposed concrete, streamline forms, cast medallions, and a new sculptural installation inspired by André Smith’s original designs.
“This expansion brings André Smith’s vision of a living, evolving artist retreat into the twenty-first century,” said Executive Director Danielle Thomas. “It allows us to modernize and grow our Art School, while also restoring the historic Studio Court to its original purpose as working artist studios.”
Cicero Greathouse (left) & Que Throm (right)
The studios honor Que Throm , a lifetime educator and founding faculty member of Valencia College’s visual arts department who also served on A&H’s Board of Directors, and Cicero Greathouse , a celebrated artist and Disney Imagineer who maintained a studio at the Art Center as part of its Artist in Action program. Their lifelong devotion to the Maitland Art Center culminated in a transformational gift through their estate, ensuring a thriving future for the campus they loved. Their generous estate gift is helping to fund this transformative addition to the historic campus.
The project is also supported by grant funding from the Orange County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Cultural Facilities Program, along with widespread community contributions. Generous in-kind support includes landscape design by JCR Consulting and structural engineering by Walter P Moore. Lamm & Company Partners is serving as the builder for this project. The firm’s deep connection to Central Florida includes ties to the legacies of Que Throm and Cicero Greathouse, making their involvement especially meaningful.
The groundbreaking marks the beginning of a new era for the Maitland Art Center: one that both preserves its historic artist studios and expands its role as a center for creative exploration.
Grand Opening Coming January 2027
This project is funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program.
