Michael G. Cantwell

Michael G. Cantwell, a talented fine artist and animator, gifted educator, as well as a devoted and loving father, cherished brother, and beloved son passed away on May 7th, 2024, at the age of 67. Born on May 2nd, 1957, he leaves behind a rich artistic legacy, a lasting impact on his students, and a loving family who will miss him dearly.

Michael is survived by his daughters Jackie and Kari, his mother Sue Cantwell, siblings Mark Cantwell (Maureen), Mary Nofel (George), Matt Cantwell, Martin Cantwell and Maureen Hales (Tim). He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Pat Cantwell and his sister Michelle Doyle(Steve).

Michael Cantwell graduated with a BFA in Studio Art from the University of Notre Dame, where he was awarded the prestigious Jacques Gold Medal of Fine Art. He later pursued a degree in Fine Art at the University of South Florida in 1981. His MFA thesis focused on Punk Art, and he was honored with a National Endowment of the Arts Grant.

Cantwell specialized in a wide range of artistic mediums, including painting, drawing, computer art, animation, and sculpture. While in Florida, he participated in regional exhibitions at various notable venues such as the Tampa Museum of Art, Artists Alliance Gallery, Gulf Coast Arts Center, Deland Museum of Art, Daytona Museum of Arts and Science, as well as the Snite Museum of Art at Notre Dame and the Ormond War Memorial Museum before moving to the Washington DC area.

There, his work has been showcased and received awards in regional juried and invitational exhibitions including Washington Project for the Arts, Rockville Arts Place, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, McLean Project for the Arts, Arlington Art Center, Greater Reston Arts Center, and Anton Gallery.

He held solo exhibitions at Catholic University (Washington DC), Adler Gallery (Baltimore), and Montgomery College (Rockville). He was a retired Professor of Art and Program Coordinator for the school of Computer Art & Animation at Montgomery College, where he enjoyed a successful tenure in their Fine Arts program.

In addition to his artistic talents and passion for teaching, Cantwell enjoyed fly fishing, tying trout flies, model airplanes and rockets, golf, biking, hiking, playing guitar, karaoke and was an amateur chef. His unique blend of art, life experiences, and dedication to education allowed him to create breathtaking artwork that resonated with viewers, inspiring his students and fostering a sense of connection with themselves, each other, and something greater. Michael Cantwell's extraordinary contributions to the art world, his passion for life, and his devotion to teaching will be greatly missed by his family, friends, students, and all those he touched.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30am, Saturday May 25, 2024 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1899 McCoy Rd.,  burial at St. Joseph Cemetery.  In leu of flowers, friends who wish may contribute in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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