Artist exhibit provides boost to Siesta Key church's hurricane recovery

A series of towering trees makes a grandiose annual transformation from spring to summer to autumn.

In another frame, a small, winding road curls around the exterior of a red-brick cottage in the British countryside.

There are well over 100 such scenes to take in at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, which is hosting a special "100 Little Paintings" exhibit this month.

These works are by local artist Allan Cumming, and as curator and fellow artist Zerbe Sodervick explained while hanging up the pieces at the church, sales from the oil paintings are playing a crucial role in helping one of its sister churches get back on its feet.

Cumming was born in 1933 in Fairfax, Virginia, and lived for 40 years in the London area. He is a prolific artist, and he created more than 500 pieces largely based on his time in England.

Members of St. Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta Key said receiving boxes of Cumming's work following the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton was a shining moment in an otherwise dark time.

"Right after the last hurricane came through, directly into St. Boniface, our priest went into the church where they moved their offices," she said. "[Rev. Nikki Seger] found these boxes, and we found out from a niece of his what they were."

She hung the paintings with volunteers Bill Hayes, Nancy Scanlon, Grace Riker and Doriel Rock Boyce at All Angels. The church will have the paintings on display through November, and they are available for purchase at a flat $60 each.

"His detail is extraordinary," Sodervick said of his miniatures. "When you initially look, there is a soft blur. But then you see the detail in little areas, and it makes it very real."

Sodervick admits that she and her team may have squeezed in slightly more than 100 paintings to the exhibition. But the scenes all play together, walking the viewer through a stroll around a British block.

Photo by Dana Kampa

Cumming bases many of his paintings on the time he spent in England, capturing daily life in bustling cities and out in nature. His short brushstrokes complement the small-scale canvases he favored.

"He uses several styles, but they are all clearly his work," she said of his distinct look.

Not all his works are British landscapes, though. He dabbled in the occasional still-life painting and even captured some Florida-based scenes, as evidenced by some recognizable foliage.

Photo by Dana Kampa

Seger said the rebuilding is progressing well, and they are in the final stretch of moving in furniture and resettling into the space after storms flooded almost the entire campus.

"Fortunately, we were covered by insurance, but insurance didn't cover everything," Seger said. "We've had all sorts of creative events to support the rebuilding, including a world-renowned pianist who did some concerts."

She continued, "This support is essential. One thing we appreciate is being part of a diocese that is acutely aware that there are several churches on barrier islands. We've acknowledged that we can't do it on our own."

Rev. David Marshall from All Angels said the church was glad to support its sister establishment.

"We have one church with many, many locations," he said. "This show is representative of that."