LEONARDTOWN, Md. — MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital unveiled the third rotation of its emergency department art wall this month, featuring a collection of handsewn art quilts by Washington, D.C.-based artist Andrea “Andi” Cullins. The new display, installed in partnership with the St. Mary’s County Arts Council, will remain in place through January 2026.
The exhibit marks the latest phase of a philanthropy-supported program that began in June. New artwork is installed every three months in the emergency department waiting area to create a calmer, more welcoming space for patients, visitors, and staff. Cullins’ pieces, part of her Second Life Quilter series, consist of intricate fabric mosaics cut and sewn by hand. The quilts emphasize bold color, dynamic movement, and emotional depth.
Emily Stagner, assistant vice president of philanthropy at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, coordinates the ongoing initiative. “We’re thrilled to showcase Andi’s incredible work,” Stagner said. “The art wall is part of our ongoing effort to enhance the healing environment for patients, visitors, and associates by highlighting local talent.”
All artists selected for the emergency department series are current members of the St. Mary’s County Arts Council. Previous rotations featured traditional paintings; the current installation introduces textile art to the space for the first time.
The partnership between the hospital and the arts council launched earlier this year with the goal of bringing museum-quality work into a clinical setting. Research has long shown that visual art in healthcare facilities can lower stress levels, reduce perceived wait times, and contribute to overall patient satisfaction. MedStar St. Mary’s joined a growing number of regional hospitals that incorporate rotating exhibits, including MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.
For Cullins, quilting represents a second chapter. The artist spent more than 40 years in corporate executive search before retiring in 2019 after a cancer diagnosis and treatment. During recovery she returned to art, a passion first nurtured as a child in the Philadelphia public schools’ Saturday Art League program.
She began the Second Life Quilter series in 2020. Since then her work has appeared in galleries across the region, including solo exhibitions hosted by the St. Mary’s County Arts Council, The Catholic University of America, and The Art League Gallery at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia. Her quilts have also earned coverage in Southern Maryland magazine, and she served as the featured visual artist for Prince George’s County’s 2021 Juneteenth celebration.
The emergency department at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital serves residents of St. Mary’s, southern Calvert, and northern Charles counties. The facility recorded more than 56,000 emergency visits in the most recent reported fiscal year. Hospital leaders say the art wall receives positive feedback from patients and staff alike, with many pausing to study the pieces while waiting.
Visitors interested in Cullins’ broader portfolio can explore additional quilts and upcoming exhibitions at SecondLifeQuilter.com.
The next rotation of the emergency department art wall is scheduled for early 2026. Selection remains coordinated through the St. Mary’s County Arts Council, which maintains an active membership of painters, photographers, sculptors, fiber artists, and other creatives living or working in Southern Maryland.
