In 1949 Earl Cunningham moved to 51-55 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida and established the Over Fork Gallery. His landlady, close friend, and patron was Theresia (Tese) Paffe. The Gallery/antique store had bottles, hardware, old greeting cards, and assorted odds and ends for sale. From time-to-time he allowed selected visitors to view his paintings which were housed in his large workroom.
In 1961 he sent his painting "The Everglades" to Jacqueline Kennedy at the White House and received a thank you letter through her secretary, Lelitla Baldridge. The painting is at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, Boston, Ma.
On his business card of 1968 he identified himself as a "Primitive Artist". In 1969 Marilyn Logsdon Wilson (now Mennello) and her friend Jane Dart discovered Cunningham's work, and he reluctantly allowed each of them to purchase one of his paintings.
As a result of Marilyn Mennello's enthusiasm for Cunningham's work, he had his first one-man exhibition in the summer of 1970, at the Loch Haven Art Center in Orlando (now the Orlando Museum of Art). More than 200 of his paintings were included in a show at the Museum of Arts and Sciences, Daytona Beach, Florida in August 1974.
On August 15, 1975 Cunningham counted in his possession 330 pictures, "all in frames," and on June 3, 1976, he noted that 405 paintings were "on hand now".
Despite increasing recognition and prolific production, Cunningham shot himself to death on December 29, 1977.
Written by Earl Cunningham on the back of this photograph: "I built this boat in 1949 by me." Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
An Indian artifact that was found by Earl Cunningham in Georgia in 1950. The text written by Cunningham around the photo is difficult to read. Written on the bottom of the photograph: "Found in Georgia by me" Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
A photograph of Earl Cunningham taken April 1959. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
Written by Earl Cunningham on the back of this photograph: "My store at 49 St George St Earl Cunningham 1958" Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
Earl Cunningham standing in front of his workshop December 1960. Written by Earl Cunningham on the back of this photograph: "My work shop Earl Cunningham St Augustine FLA St George St 49 1/2" Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
An Over Fork Studio business card dated 1960. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
A study for Widow's Walk dated October 1965. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
A photograph of Earl Cunningham's dragon and babies sculpture. This sculpture was created in 1974. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
A photograph of Earl Cunningham's horse sculpture. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
Theresia (Tese) Paffe. Written by Earl Cunningham on the back of this photograph: "My land lady for many years." Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
A photograph taken of Earl Cunningham in his store October 15, 1976. Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
The last entry in a notebook belonging to Earl Cunningham was written in March 1977. It said, "And now I have 450 paintings in hand." Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
Earl Cunningham standing in front of his shop with his brother(not named) in 1952. Written on the back of the photograph: "A Mr Cunningham and Earl Cunningham St George St 1952" Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
Earl Cunningham standing in front of his shop with his sister-in-law(not named) in 1952. Written on the back of the photograph: "A Mrs. Cunningham and Earl Cunningham St George St 1952" Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
Written on the back of the photograph: "My store Earl Cunningham 1956" Click on thumbnail to view larger image.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE 1893 ~ 1948 PAGE
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE EARL CUNNINGHAM OVERVIEW PAGE
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE DIGITIZED COLLECTIONS PAGE
 |
 |