Joan A. Cummings – Bio

Being creative is not switched on and off but is a natural state for Joan. From a very young age, Joan was always on the hunt for and collecting found objects – especially those found on the sidewalk, on the beach, in the woods, in her mother’s button box or her father’s tool box — to turn bit and pieces into art projects. Originally a fiber artist, designing quilts and plush toys, Joan transitioned from fabric arts to silversmithing and jewelry making. Joan’s jewelry and sculptures have been exhibited at the Newark Museum, Morris Museum, Kean University and New Jersey City University. Joan has a BFA in Fashion Merchandising and Management from Pratt Institute and had had several positions in her career including: Assistant Crafts Editor at Woman’s Day Magazine; Senior Product Designer at Avon Products; and Director of Creative and Product Development at Scholastic Inc. Presently, Joan is a teaching artist at Studio Montclair and shares all of her art experience and techniques to her students.