Beatrice Laving Cuming (1903-1974) was born in Brooklyn, New York. After attending the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and teaching art classes at the Girls’ Community High School, she moved abroad to live and paint in Paris, Italy, North Africa, England, and Brittany. She returned to the United States in 1933. Struck by the industrial beauty of New England, she settled in New London, Connecticut. Cuming joined the Public Works of Art Project in 1934 and the WPA Federal Arts Project, under which she completed 150 easel works, many of which were etchings depicting the New London area.
In addition to commissioned work, Cuming offered art classes in her New London studio and taught art in New London public schools. She resided at MacDowell six times between 1934 and 1952, and also traveled throughout the Southwestern United States, inspired by the natural beauty of the area. Cuming lived in New London until her death in 1974.
