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The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is committed to engage and inspire through the arts, gardens and education. A permanent collection of nearly 5,000 works of art on a riverfront campus offers more than 95,000 annual visitors a truly unique experience on the First Coast. Nationally recognized education programs serve adults and children of all abilities.

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Search results for ninah cummer

#5WomenArtists – Alice Kent Stoddard

by , Director of Art Education in Art, Behind the Scenes, Education

Can you name 5 women artists? It turns out, most people can’t. This simple question calls attention to the inequity women artists face, inspires conversation, and brings awareness to a larger audience. As a part of the #5WomenArtists initiative through the National Museum of Women in the Arts and in celebration of Women’s History Month, we will be highlighting women artists in the Cummer Collection. Museum founder Ninah Cummer was a supporter of women artists. Each of the artists we are highlighting this month will be from the original 60 pieces of artwork donated by Ninah Cummer, that are the foundation of our collection. To learn more about women artists, follow the National Museum of Women in the Arts on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or follow #5WomenArtists. This post is the third of five that will be published this month as part of our #5WomenArtists series.

BEFORE RESTORATION – The painting was examined at the Cummer Museum and transported to the ArtCare Miami Studio. Discolored varnish had become imbedded in the interstices of the impasto and was removed, after testing, with a mixture of organic solvents.

Mrs. Ninah Cummer (1875 – 1958) had her portrait painted in 1927, when she was in her early fifties. The artist, Alice Kent Stoddard (1885 – 1976), was born in Watertown, Connecticut, but left her hometown to study at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women (now Moore College of Art and Design), and at the renowned Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under the guidance of famous artists Thomas Eakins (1844 – 1916) and William Merritt Chase (1849 – 1916).

Kent Stoddard was commissioned by many prominent Philadelphians, and soon gained a reputation as the city’s foremost portrait painter. Artist Rockwell Kent (1882 – 1971), Stoddard’s first cousin, once said “she is the finest portrait painter this country has ever seen.”

She was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Mary Smith Prize from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1911 and 1913, and the Isidor medal from the National Academy of Design in New York City in 1917. Kent Stoddard was the first woman artist to be named in Who’s Who in American Art. Not only was she one of the most prominent women artists of the early 20th century, she also aided young, aspiring artists who could not afford an education.

This portrait of Mrs. Cummer, along with that of her husband, Mr. Arthur Cummer, by Everett Raymond Kinstler, was restored in 2016. Thanks to the generous support of donors Jim and Joan Van Vleck and Helen Lane, visitors can now appreciate the original vibrancy of both paintings.  The conservation treatment was carried out by ArtCare, in Miami.

AFTER RESTORATION

Alice Kent Stoddard (American, 1884 – 1976), Portrait of Mrs. Ninah M. H. Cummer, 1927, oil on canvas, 40 x 35 in., Bequest of Ninah M. H. Cummer, C.0.166.

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Italian Garden

by , in Gardens

By Bianca Askevold, Marketing Intern

The Italian Garden was designed in 1931, after Ninah Cummer had seen the gardens of the Villa Gamberaia. Ellen Biddle Shipman designed the garden to look very similar to the one Mrs. Cummer had seen, and it is one of the few Shipman gardens that is still around today. The layout of the garden highly resembles the original located right outside of Florence, Italy. Shipman was inspired by elements such as the series of arches and the ponds, and included them in the design. Also, leonine sculpture is featured in both gardens. The Lion sculpture in the museum’s garden was actually purchased in Italy by the Cummers in 1930, along with a fountain, which the current one is a replica of. The feet of the marble benches in the garden are decorative lions, and the arms of the chairs are lion’s heads. Both continue the leonine theme. The garden is partially shaded by the beautiful Cummer Oak and has a stunning view of the St. Johns River past the twin ponds and through the ficus-covered gloriette, creating an enchanting experience for the viewer.

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#17 Winslow Homer – The White Rowboat, St. Johns River

by , in Art

Winslow Homer (American, 1836 – 1910), The White Rowboat, St. Johns River, 1890, watercolor on paper, 14 x 20 in., Bequest of Ninah M. H. Cummer, C.0.154.1.

Winslow Homer was one of the first American painters to liberate watercolor from being simply a tinted drawing and to develop it as an independent medium. Especially in his later watercolors, Homer attained his purest artistic values through his painterly handling and use of saturated colors. His watercolors expressed a poetic vision not often found in his oil paintings.

Late in his career, Homer, an avowed sportsman, took fishing vacations to various places. In the spring of 1890 he visited the St. Johns River in Florida. The landscape stimulated in Homer a more spontaneous expression and pure visual sensation of nature. He painted scenes on the spot with a deft, fluid brush in full-bodied color. In this work, one of forty known from his various Florida visits, Homer simply and directly portrayed Florida topography as a vast expanse of river and marshes, punctuated by four swaying palm trees. Homer merged the epic with the mundane as he placed the stark white rowboat and three fishermen in this solitary habitat. The towering, indigenous palm trees stand as testaments to the dominance of nature over man.

“From Ninah Cummer’s personal collection!  Sweet watercolor in the Florida feel!” – anonymous

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Looking Back to Look Forward: Part 8

by , Director of Art Education in Behind the Scenes, Community

Shortly after Arthur’s death in 1943, Ninah Cummer turned her attention from her gardens to her passion for art and began to dream about the creation of a museum on her property. While she grew her art collection to number nearly 60 pieces that today are still among the museum’s masterpieces, she also began the process of priming those close to her to fulfill her vision after her death. She wrote, “My contribution to my Art Museum will be to furnish my pictures and the location, and after that others must carry on.” News of this intended bequest leaked to the press in 1957, a year prior to her death, forcing Mrs. Cummer to make an official announcement of the gift. She wrote that her bequests would “make only a small beginning toward a large vision” and hoped “that others will share this vision and by their interest and contributions will help establish here a center of beauty and culture worthy of the community.”

Her dreams were realized when her hand-picked Board of Trustees welcomed more than one thousand guests to the opening of the newly constructed museum, only three years after her death.

Florida Times-Union notice for the opening of The Cummer, 1961.

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Looking Back to Look Forward: Part 5

by , Director of Art Education in Behind the Scenes, Community

Like her husband, Arthur, Ninah Cummer was active in civic and charitable organizations. She distinguished herself quite early in Jacksonville by organizing relief after the city’s staggering fire of 1901 and as a Red Cross volunteer during World War I. In 1910 she was elected president of the Women’s Advisory Board of the Children’s Home Society of Florida, a position she held until 1940. In addition, she served as treasurer of the Woman’s Club for two years, followed by two years as president.

She organized the first Garden Club of Jacksonville in 1922 and was the first president of the City Federation of Jacksonville Garden Clubs, later extending her scope to include all of Florida. She was also elected, in absentia, president of the Garden Clubs of America, but declined the honor.

During the Depression, Mrs. Cummer was active in the Mobilization for Human Needs, a charitable program to bring food and supplies to the needy. She often gave lectures around the state on gardening and caring for the needy, and, at one point, had her own radio program to discuss these special interests.

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Garden Week Recap

by , Director of Art Education in Gardens, Programs

2011 Garden Week at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens was a huge success! Over 2,500 guests enjoyed our lectures by Nancy Clarke and Bev Church, floral displays arranged by local designers, a Garden Concert by Noel Freidline, the Fashion Show by Linda Cunningham, hands on workshops and Family Day.

Our Garden Week chairs Judy D’Antignac and Anne Meyer put together a week of events that had something for everyone.  Dee Loop created all of the beautiful floral arrangements for our luncheons and designed the paver wall in the Lobby.  The flowers in our Lobby display were generously donated by Anita’s Garden Shop.

Arrangement by Benita Boyd & Sonya Petit

The Petals to Paint event was our Monday night kick-off.  Our guests enjoyed a cocktail party in the Upper Gardens with live music and floral interpretations of our collection by local floral designers.  The floral displays were artistic interpretations of art in our permanent collection.  The displays remained in our galleries all week for our guests to enjoy.  Our floral arrangers were Benita Boyd and Sonja Petit, Mary Lew Esdale of Distinctive Designs, Ann Evans of Cypress, Karen McCombs, Sally Simpson, Arlene Swindell of Arlene’s Designs and Bill Wilson of Wilson Limited.  Each designer showcased their personal and distinctive style to make their arrangements unique and special.

Nancy Clarke Luncheon

Our Tuesday lecture and lunch was with retired White House Chief Floral Designer Nancy Clarke.  Nancy began working at the White House as a volunteer 30 years ago and has worked closely with every President and First Lady for the past 30 years to make the White House look its best and welcome visitors and dignitaries.  Our guests enjoyed viewing a display of some of the arrangements Mrs. Clarke created for State Dinners and special occasions both at the White House and Camp David.  In keeping with her gracious style, our guests enjoyed a selection of tea sandwiches and tea for our luncheon.

Bev Church Book Signing

Bev Church was our Wednesday speaker, sponsored by Carolyn Marsh Lindsay and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Watson.  To celebrate her New Orleans heritage, our guests enjoyed  beignets, quiche Lorraine with Chicory Coffee.   Bev had several tables decorated with fun and exciting displays showcasing her fun, upbeat style.  Along with a presentation of parties Bev has created for friends and clients, she shared many amusinganecdotes about how she gets her ideas and brings them to life.

Fashion Show Models in Evening Gowns

On Thursday, our guests were treated to a wonderful fashion show by Linda Cunningham.  Our Fashion Show and Luncheon was sponsored by Monica and Bob Jacoby.  Linda’s couture line evokes femininity and sophistication with a tasteful touch of whimsy.   Along with our Fashion Show, we held a Chance Drawing of a necklace donated by jeweler Lillian Ostergard.  Linda’s collection was modeled by Hilton Ball, Joann Cellar, Alice Coughlin, Diane Diffenderfer, Susan Keller, Laura Magevney, Hope McMath, Rochelle Proctor, Lena Rouleau and Ellie Zimmerman.  Our lovely models had a fun time on the runway wearing Linda’s collection to the delight of the audience and they wore the clothes beautifully!

Noel Freidline Concert in the Gardens

Our Friday night Garden Concert with The Noel FreidlineQuintet was a bit hit! Our sponsor for Friday night was CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, Inc. The weather was gorgeous and our guests enjoyed sitting in our gardens listening to the jazz stylings of local favorite Noel Freidline.  Several guests shared that Noel had played at their wedding reception.  The gardens were lit, the moon was full and our guests danced under the stars, it was a magical evening!

Plein Air Painting in the Gardens with Ellen Diamond

Saturday had something for everyone.  Evie Pankok, the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program Assistant in Duval County taught a class on Vermiculture.  Artist Ellen Diamond led a day of plein aire painting in our gardens.  For our younger artists, a class called “My Digital Garden” was offered for children ages 6 to 12.  In addition to our workshops, the museum hosted Free Family Day.  JAX ART HUNT hid some pictures in our gardens and Arbus Magazine posted stories and photos on their Facebook Page.  Our guests enjoyed live music and fun projects both inside the museum and outside in our lovely gardens.

Guests enjoying the Gardens

Garden Week is our sole fundraiser for our historic gardens.  The funds raised from Garden Week are dedicated to the restoration of our Olmsted Garden.  Without the generosity and support of our donors and sponsors, we could not host Garden Week at The Cummer.  We would like to thank our Garden Week sponsors and donors, along with everyone who attended Garden Week, for their generous support.  Together we are fulfilling Ninah Cummer’s dream of making The Cummer “a place of beauty and culture for all.”

Thank you to all of our wonderful Garden Week sponsors!

Agility Press, Inc.,  Mrs. C. Kirby Alexander,  American Hospice,  Mrs. William E. Arnold, Jr.,  Mr. and Mrs. Willis M. Ball III,  Sue Root Barker / Root Photography,  Brady S. Johnston Perpetual Charitable Trust,  CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, Inc.,  Mr. and Mrs. Edward P. Doherty,  Jennifer Duke,  Mrs. Robert Hinckley,  jacksonville.com,  Monica and Bob Jacoby,  Mrs. John B. Kent,  Carolyn Marsh Lindsay,  Mrs. Tom McKenzie, Jr.,  Mr. and Mrs. L. Craig Merritt,  Mr. and Mrs. Alex A. Meyer,  Omni Hotel Jacksonville,  Lillian Ostergard,  Mary and Jerry Pietan,  Scott-McRae Group | Duval Dealers,  Sight & Sound Productions, Inc.,  Studio Orange Design,  The Chef’s Garden,  The Florida Times-Union,  & Frank and Mary Watson.

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