In the tradition of the African griot (storyteller) Michael A. Cummings' quilts tell the stories of African American life. As a result of his masterful creativity, he has become one of America's premier quiltmakers. He is a native of Los Angeles and moved to New York City in 1970 and began.  He met and became friends with Romare Bearden. Around 1973 he began experimenting with collage construction and by 1975 transferred to fabric collage, using applique techniques. He taught himself to sew and operate a sewing machine. Paul Smith(former director of American Crafts Museum) was another mentor. Cummings has exhibited in various countries including Japan and last year was invited to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham,England (2022). He was honored by the National Endowment of the Arts with the Heritage Fellowship in 2023. 

Cummings' work as a quiltmaker has brought him national and international attention. Cummings'work appears in some notable collections -- Bill and Camille Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg, Alonzo Mourning, Renwick GAllery (Smithsonian Institution), Museum of Art and Design(NYC), Studio Museum in Harlem, the American Embassy collection in Mali, Brooklyn Museum(NYC) International Quilt Museum(Nebraska), National Museum of African American History and Culture(Washington,D.C) 

Cummings was commissioned by House of Seagram to produce a quilt for the Absolut Vodka ad series. He created a quilt for the Helias Foundation to commemorate the children who died in the Oklahoma City bombing. He also created quilts for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center(2003) and a convention center in Knoxville, Tennessee(2002) and HBO. He has received the Tiffany Foundation award(2001) and Excellence in Design award from New York City Art Commission (2001). He was commissioned by Hilary Clinton to participate in an exhibition for the year of the women, he created a quilt honoring Shirley Chischolm.