Michael A. Cummings facts for kids

Michael Arthur Cummings (born November 28, 1945) is an amazing American artist. He is especially known for his beautiful and colorful quilts. He lives in Harlem, New York, and his art often tells stories through fabric.

Early Life and Discovering Art

Michael Cummings grew up in Los Angeles, California. He studied American art history at Empire College. In the early 1970s, he moved to New York City. There, he worked for the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

At first, Michael created art using collage (like making pictures from cut-out pieces) and paint. A famous artist named Romare Bearden was one of his mentors.

In 1973, Michael worked on a project to make a large cloth banner. This project changed everything! He fell in love with working with fabric. He taught himself how to quilt by looking at quilts made by other artists. He also learned from how-to magazines and books.

Michael was part of a special program called "Studio in a School." This program helped artists teach art in schools. A kind person named Agnes Gund helped fund this program. Michael also worked for the New York State Council on the Arts for many years before he retired.

Michael's Unique Quilting Style

Michael Cummings is famous for his "narrative" quilts. This means his quilts tell stories! He is one of the few well-known male quiltmakers in the country.

His quilts are often very bright and colorful. They show themes from African history and African American culture. Some of his most famous quilt series include:

• The "African Jazz" series (from 1990)
• The "Haitian Mermaid" series (from 1996)
• The "Josephine Baker" series (from 2000)

Michael's art is so special that the U.S. State Department has shown his quilts in American embassies in other countries, like Rwanda and Mali. Big companies like Absolut Vodka and HBO have also asked him to create art for them.

His quilts are part of important art collections. For example, you can see his work at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York. Famous people like Whoopi Goldberg and Bill Cosby also collect his quilts!

Where You Can See Michael's Quilts

Michael Cummings' quilts are displayed in many public places. Here are a few:

• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York
• International Quilt Study Center & Museum at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• Brooklyn Museum in New York
• Museum of Arts and Design in New York City
• California African American Museum in Los Angeles
• Renwick Gallery (part of the Smithsonian Institution) in Washington, D.C.
• Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio

Helping Other Artists

Michael Cummings is a founding member of the Women of Color Quilters Network. This group was started by Carolyn L. Mazloomi. It helps support and promote quilters of color.

Books Featuring Michael's Art

Michael's amazing quilts have been featured in many books. Some of these include:

• In the Hollow of Your Hand – a book collected by Alice McGill, with pictures by Michael Cummings.
• Spirits of the Cloth by Carolyn Mazloomi.
• Always There: The African American Presence in American Quilts' by Cuesta Benberry.
• American Quiltmaking: 1970-2000 by Eleanor Levie.
• Contemporary Quilt Art by Kate Lenkowsky.
• Masters: Art Quilts: Major Works by Leading Artists by Martha Sielman.

Awards and Honors

In 2023, Michael Cummings received a very special award called the National Heritage Fellowship. This award is given by the National Endowment for the Arts. It is the highest honor the United States government gives for folk and traditional arts. This shows how important and respected Michael's art is!