Attendees at the Salvation Army’s white-tie Paradise Ball at Mar-a-Lago, an event that Cushing helped transform with inspiration from the iconic Marjorie Merriweather Post.
Palm Beach artist, event curator and philanthropist Susan Cushing shares her extraordinary talent.
Susan and Hunter Cushing
One of the first things you will notice about Susan Cushing (susancushingstudio.com) is her trademark warm, beautiful eyes. Adventurous, inclusive, inviting and extraordinarily talented, she evokes curiosity and emotion when taking in her work. Her art transports you into the time and experience of the world depicted on the canvas, and she ignites your imagination with each stroke of her brush.
Her repertoire reaches far beyond creating art. Cushing curates events that have an impact. For example, she was recently tasked with rebranding and rebooting the Salvation Army’s annual white-tie Paradise Ball, which took place at Mar-a-Lago in December. She dipped into her imagination, reenvisioning its image beyond the bell-ringing and red kettles along sidewalks and in storefronts. Designing the ball with a hearty dose of inspiration and help from her favorite muse, Marjorie Merriweather Post, she brought together classic elegance, modern spontaneity, magic and surprise.
“When I look back and think of the things I remember most fondly, they are always times when I have been volunteering or working to make someone else’s life better,” says Cushing.
Cushing’s signature is taking the visuals from live events and creating vibrant and fun art from the scenes that attendees experienced. Cushing’s gallery of work is playful and enlivening and will bring a smile to your face. It is a treat to see passion and purpose come together where it isn’t just an identity but an extension of her.
Her own nonprofit organization, The GOAL Project (thegoalproject.org), stands for Girls Opportunity Academics & Leadership and seeks to empower at-risk young women to pursue their dreams through life skills, focused mentorship and higher educational opportunities. Like Cushing’s art, her nonprofit is steeped in purpose, vision and impact and will have far-reaching benefits for many.
Photography by: SALVATION ARMY BALL PHOTO BY CAPEHART
