JoAnn Cook
Long before her retirement from federal service in 2011, JoAnn dreamed of learning to paint, but it wasn’t until the 2020 pandemic that she began in earnest by studying online courses. In 2021, she ventured out on her own with her first painting, Tranquility. It is still her favorite and portrays the sentiments she wants to share with others who view her artwork – feelings of thoughtful reflection and peace, meant to bring about a sense of tranquility. In 2023, JoAnn debuted her collection of paintings at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center with her solo show. Her paintings have been on exhibit at BWI Airport, the What’s Up? Media Gallery, the Circle Gallery, and currently at Gallery 57 West.
JoAnn grew up in a small farming community in North Dakota, attended a state trade school with plans to become a legal secretary, and at 18 began work in Washington, DC. She spent the next 36 years working for her congressional delegation and the federal court system.
