Volunteer Spotlight: Annie Cummings
Artist Annie Cummings
Annie Cummings is a familiar face at Catholic Care Center’s Assisted Living area, where she frequently visits her mother, long-time resident Laura Cummings. Annie is well known to the other Assisted Living residents as the leader of a monthly painting class, where attendees tackle a new specific painting project.
During the 3 years the class has been in session, residents have expressed their creativity using many different mediums and styles of painting. Annie’s creative talents are also on display as she updates the Assisted Living chalkboard monthly with creative seasonal designs.
Annie’s talents didn’t develop overnight. As a child, she loved to paint and draw. When Annie was in her early 20s living in Steamboat Springs, CO, she had the opportunity to work with an experienced artist who shared her knowledge of oil painting with Annie.
Her painting moved to the back burner after Annie received her degree in Natural Resource Management and entered the workforce. Some of her employment history included working for the Forest Service and at Pike’s Peak Community College, where she was instrumental in developing the Natural Resource Technical Degree Program. This program is still going strong today!
Art in Retirement
Let’s fast-forward to retirement, when Annie dusted off her paintbrushes and discovered “en plein air painting,” which is the act of painting outdoors. This method of painting has allowed Annie to combine her love of painting with her love of nature, all while sharing these interests with others.
Recently, Annie attended a plein air painting show in Steamboat Springs, CO, where she exhibited five paintings, one of which won the Steamboat Springs Corporate Award! The show’s judges commented that they chose Annie’s painting because they felt it embodied both the feel of “new” and “old” Steamboat Springs.
This feedback was especially meaningful to Annie because it confirmed that her painting successfully conveyed both Annie’s memories of Steamboat Springs as a young person and her current observations of the city in a way that was recognizable to others.
Annie has also previously exhibited at the Wichita River Fest Art Show, where she had two second-place finishes. She sold some of her paintings at this event, one of which was a view of Downtown Wichita.
If you’d like to see her work in person, Annie has two upcoming shows, one at the Carriage Factory in Newton and one at the Andover Library!
Annie considers herself an emerging artist. To her, the biggest compliment an artist can receive is when someone purchases a painting. The sale of a painting confirms that the recipient understands an artist’s communication, appreciates it, and wants to bring it home to continue enjoying. The ability to share her joy with others continues to motivate Annie.
As a busy artist and dedicated daughter, we appreciate that Annie is willing to donate her time to our community and look forward to the new chalkboard mural each month. If you visit our Assisted Living area or are a resident, check out Annie’s work or join a class. We guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
