Kathleen Hammett
Untitled #23-1, 2023
Untitled #23-3, 2023
Untitled #23-4, 2023
Materials and Dimensions: Oil on paper, 32 x 40 inches each
Location: Akron City Hospital, Ground Floor, Green Neighborhood, near Pharmacy
About the Art
Her soft gradients and nuanced color transitions suggest natural phenomena, mist rising over water, the horizon at dusk, or the shifting light of dawn, without ever directly depicting them. This ambiguity allows each viewer to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the work, creating a personal and introspective engagement. The paintings function as mirrors for the inner landscape, gently guiding the viewer toward stillness, presence, and emotional clarity.
Rather than offering direction, judgment, or narrative, Hammett’s work opens a quiet, nonverbal dialogue. The absence of explicit meaning or message becomes a strength, allowing space for introspection rather than instruction. These visual retreats are not an escape, but a return, to slowness, to breath, to self.
Installed within the healing environment of Summa Health, the Untitled series takes on an even more profound role. In a setting often associated with stress, uncertainty, or physical vulnerability, these paintings act as anchors for emotional grounding. They provide a gentle reprieve, offering patients, staff, and visitors a momentary sanctuary. Their stillness supports the human need for renewal and calm, echoing the restorative aspects of nature through abstraction. By fostering this sense of peace, Hammett’s work contributes not only to the aesthetic quality of the space, but also to the holistic well-being of those who encounter it.
About the Artist
Kathleen Hammett is a Cleveland-based artist and educator whose career includes many years of creative practice and teaching. Her work is held in numerous private and corporate collections, including those of the Cleveland Clinic, Jones Day, and the RAND Corporation. Each of her paintings reflects a thoughtful and intentional approach grounded in the belief that art can provide comfort and a deeper connection to self.
Hammett was born in Steubenville, Ohio, and raised on a small family farm in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ohio University in Athens in 1967. She continued her education at Kent State University from 1969 to 1970, completing graduate coursework in the arts. Her professional career began in New York City as a fabric designer for Carlton Woolen Mills. She later worked at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, Canada, before relocating to Cleveland. There, she served as an art educator in both Cleveland Public Schools and the Cleveland Catholic Diocese.
Throughout her career, Hammett has remained committed to creativity, mindfulness, and emotional connection. These qualities align closely with the mission and values of Summa Health. Her work is represented by Bonfoey Gallery, where a selection of her pieces can be viewed: Kathleen Hammett - Works | The Bonfoey Gallery.
The Healing Arts at Summa Health