the macdowell colony newsletter, summer 2011
DESCRIPTION
The latest news about The MacDowell Colony -- the nation's leading nonprofit artist residency program -- and its artists.TRANSCRIPT
NoN-Profit org.U.S. PoStage
PaiDPermit No. 11
PeterboroUgh, Nh
100 high Street Peterborough, Nh 03458-2485
architects | composers | filmmakers | interdisciplinary artists | theatre | visual artists | writers
Vol.40,No.1Summer2011
INthISISSue
artists 2 Campaign for the Second Century 4 2011 edward macDowell medalist 6 Save the Dates 7 fellowships 8
Artis
tsletter from the director
SecuringtheFutureWhen WAs the lAst time you jumped for joy? i had the occasion to do so when the Kresge foundation let us know they were giving macdowell a $1 million grant toward the cost of our new library and to seed a building reserve fund. i jump for joy each time we receive a gift to macdowell’s $13 million Campaign for the second Century, which now stands at the remarkable $12.2 million mark.
As robert macneil noted when we announced the Campaign publicly last summer, our dream is to secure the Colony’s future by building the endowment and investing in our buildings. endowment is our “storm anchor” that provides long-term stability. The new building reserve fund made possible by Kresge will support a system-atic stewardship plan for the Colony’s 32 studios and buildings. At the rate of one a year, each will be thoroughly renovated every 40 years. Thanks to a campaign in the 1990s and the work of resident director david macy, senior program Assistant Kyle oliver, maintenance foreman john sieswerda, and the maintenance team,
we are starting this initiative with the buildings in excellent condition. everyone at macdowell is excited about the prospect of the new library building — a wonderful space
where artists-in-residence will have ready access to the creative work of our 11,000 macdowell fellows and better work space for internet research. With support from friends like you, we will break ground next spring. please join me in making a gift large or small to macdowell’s Campaign to support either our endowment or the new library. together, we can extend the usefulness of the Colony for the next generation of artists.
Cheryl a. YoungExecutive Director
The
Mac
Do
wel
lc
olo
ny
2
landscapes of the WestMacDowellartistsBlaneDeSt.Croix(pic-turedabove)andRachelSussman(shownbelow)wereamongthe10artistschosentohavetheirworkaddedtothewestcollectionas2011westPrizefinalists—aprestigioushonorthatincludes$10,000inacquisitionfundsforthepurchaseoftheirwork.Since2009,29innovativeartistshavebeenselectedfromanapplicantpoolof7,300hopefulstohavetheirworkacquiredforthisfamily-ownedartcollectionheldatSeIInvestments’scorporateheadquartersinoaks,Pennsylvania.
TheworkofvisualartistDeSt.croix—includingtheminiaturizedrepresentationoftheUnitedStates/MexicoborderheworkedonatMacDowellin2008—exploresgeopoliticallandscapesthroughdrawingsandsculpturalinstallations.hisworkwasrecentlyshownatlaMaMainnewyorkin“TracingtheUnseenBorder,”anexhibitioninvestigatingthedynamicssurroundingtheemblematiclineinthesandbetweentheU.S.andMexico.asa2011westPrizefinalist,hewillpresentatalkentitled“BorderSculpturesandotherworks”forSeIemployeesandguestsonJune24that1p.m.,whichwillbefollowedbyatourofthewestcollection.
awardeda$25,000“25for25”aolgrantforartistsandvisionariesinoctober,photogra-pherRachelSussmanhasbeentravelingtheworldforthepastfiveyearstoresearchherongoingproject,“TheoldestlivingThingsintheworld.”workingwithbiologiststolocateandcaptureincompellingimagescontinu-ouslylivingorganismsthatareatleast2,000yearsold,Sussmanisaimingtoprovidealensthroughwhichwecanviewourever-changingandever-evolvingplanet.herworkwasrecentlyincludedin“ontheMetaphorofGrowth,”aninternationalexhibitionatKunstVerienhannoverinGermanyscheduledtorunthroughJune26th.
new & notable
Described as “musical theatre for naughty children,” errollyn wallen’s new opera Cautionary Tales had its world premiere at opera North in Leeds, United Kingdom, in march. aimed at six- to nine-year-olds and featuring music that matches the story’s “exuberant, lively mischief,” this enchanting piece of theatre was devised to introduce young audiences to the pleasures of opera. on the horizon is the U.S. premiere of Wallen’s original version (two pianos, eight hands) of “the girl in my alphabet,” which will take place at the tanglewood music festival in Lenox, massachusetts, on august 5th.
Serpentine Fence (purple chain link, stainless steel; 8’ h x 15’ 6” W x 126’ L), a perma-nent sculpture located in Jamaica Plain, massachusetts, created by artist Beth Galston serves the dual purposes of beautifying an urban area and separating tennis courts from a sitting area in a boston neighborhood park. “the sculpture alters continually throughout the day as the sun shifts and with special lighting at night,” says galston, an environmental sculptor who produces works using light and shadow, translucency, and natural materials. “my pieces create a sense of place, a moment of magic or transfor-mation.” galston’s diverse body of work includes sculptural installations and objects, large-scale public sculptures, and collaborative multimedia performances.
robin hessman’s documentary about the last Soviet generation to grow up behind the iron Curtain, My Perestroika, began its national theatrical release at the ifC Center in New York in march. Well received by audiences and critics alike, the award-winning film — which hessman worked on during a residency at macDowell in early 2008 — premiered on PbS’s P.O.V. in 2009 and will enjoy extended runs in numerous theaters across the country in may and June.
more new & notaBle projectsShImoNAttIeMetroPAL.IS, videoinstallation
LoRNABIeBeRImages: Lost and Found, photographyexhibition
ADAmGwoNOrdinary Days,castrecording/cD
DANIeLheymANWhen Photographers Are Blinded, Eagles’ Wings Are Clipped, 2010,ed1/1,etchingsonplywood,104”x95”.exhibitedthisspringatloyolaMarymountUniversity’slabandartGalleryinlosangeles,ca.
PhoeBehoBANAlice Neel: The Art of Not Sitting Pretty, biography
LARRyPoLANSkyThe World’s Longest Melody,cD
JoANNASoLFRIANVisible Heavens,poetry
kImItAkeSueWhere Are You Taking Me?,documentaryfilm
DIANNetoRRSex, Drag, and Male Roles: Investigating Gender as Performance, nonfiction
Jazz bassist rufus reid’s new CD, Hues of a Different Blue, was released in april by motéma music. also coming to fruition recently was his Caress the Thought, a symphonic work for solo double bass and orchestra completed during his recent residency at macDowell. Caress the Thought was premiered by the Youth Symphony of Dupage, illinois, in march. reid also completed two of the three movements for his symphony orchestra work Mass Transit — which debuted in may with two performances (one in idyllwild, California, and one at the redcat theater in Los angeles) — at macDowell.
Top: Landscape Sections: Borders: United States and Mexico, 2008/2011, mixed media, 4’ x 2’ x 5’, by Blane de st. croix. Above: La Llareta; #0308-23b26; up to 3,000 years old; atcama Desert, Chile; by rachel sussman.
co
UR
TeSy
Ph
oTo
co
UR
TeSy
Ph
oTo
co
UR
TeSy
Ph
oTo
co
UR
TeSy
Ph
oTo
Ro
BeR
Tw
oR
KM
an
cle
Men
TS/h
ow
cR
ofT
co
UR
TeSy
Ph
oTo
Rac
hel
SU
SSM
an
The
Mac
Do
wel
lc
olo
ny
3
A trio of ideasworkingcollaborativelyasateamsince2000,interdisciplinaryartistsJohnSutton,BenBeres,andZacCullerdevelopsculpture,publicartprojects,performances,andsite-specificinstalla-tionsthatdrawinunsuspectingaudiencesindiverselocations.Guidedlargelybytheenviron-mentinwhicheachprojectoriginates,thetrioprovokesthoughtandincitesengagementthroughexpertlyplannedandexecutedpresentations.
whileinresidenceatMacDowellin2010,theyworkedonWunderkammer,aninstallationcom-missionedbytheSanJoseInternationalairportincalifornia.Shownatthe2010SanJoseBiennial,Wunderkammerisa“cabinetofcuriosities”consistingofcomponentsrelatedtothehistoryandtechnologiesoftheSiliconValley.InstalledattheairportinMayof2010,itwillremainondisplaythroughJuneof2012.alsoworkedonduringtheirresidencyinfirthStudioisPanoptos,aninstallationshownearlierthisyearatthehenryartGalleryinSeattlethatinvitesviewerstointeractwiththemuseumcollectioninauniqueway.hangingabovetheexhibit’s154paintings,photographs,andsculpturesisahigh-definitioncamera—controlledinanadjacentroom—thattransmitsandrecordsimages,providingviewerswith“unusualopportunitiesforsubjectiveandobjectiveinteractionswithart.”
UpcomingprojectsforSuttonBerescullerincludeatemporaryprojectatthenewlightrailstationoncapitolhillinSeattle;Mini Mart City Park,whichinvolvesthetransformationofanabandonedconveniencestoreintoapublicgreenspace;anda“dramaticreconfigurationofstagedslicesoflife”atontheBoardsinSeattleinSeptember.
QuotABLe“The most important aspect of my residency was the opportunity to reach a more intensive plane of concentration. It’s that compelling ratio: 1 day of work at MacDowell = 4 in New York City (or anywhere else). I can’t seem to finish a book without a residency at MacDowell!”
— Nonfiction writer Peter Godwin (pictured right in Chapman Studio), who worked on his new book, Thefear, during a 2010 residency at MacDowell. Released in March by Hachette Book Group, this memoir about the political turmoil in Godwin’s native Zimbabwe has been touted as “an important work of witness” by Booklist and described as “a gripping narrative” by ThewashingtonPost.
When writer jonathan dee spent time at macDowell in 2004 and 2007, he worked on his book The Privileges (random house, 2010), which was nominated for a 2011 Pulitzer Prize in april. Dee was one of four macDowell fellows named as Pulitzer finalists this year. Poet jean valentine was nominated for her new collection of poems, Break the Glass (Copper Canyon Press, 2010), which she worked on at macDowell in 2009. Playwright lisa d’amour was nominated for her play Detroit, while composer fred lerdahl earned a spot as a finalist with his concerto Arches. in total, 67 macDowell artists have earned Pulitzer Prizes since the awards were first given in 1917.
in early april, the guggenheim foundation announced the recipients its 2011 grants for mid-career artists, scientists, and scholars. intended to provide creative freedom for men and women who have “demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts,” the monetary grants are given with no special conditions attached. a total of 180 individuals were selected from a pool of almost 3,000 applicants to receive a 2011 grant, including the following 16 macDowell fellows: music researcher jonathan pieslak; writers john d’agata, jonathan dee, katherine rich, lara vapnyar (pictured right), patricia volk, and cynthia Zarin; visual artists charles Goldman and endi poskovic; playwrights david adjmi and young jean lee; video artist marina Zurkow; and composers philippe Bodin, chaya czernowin, louis karchin, and marilyn shrude.
Artist Awards, Grants, and fellowships
Composer john aylward was one of five macDowell composers to receive a 2011 music award from the american academy of arts and Letters in february. aylward received a goddard Lieberson fellowship of $15,000, while karim al-Zand, david dzubay, steven mackey, and lewis spratlan each received a $7,500 arts and Letters award in music, along with an additional $7,500 toward the recording of one work. dan visconti was awarded a $15,000 Charles ives fellowship.
The Road to Nasiriyah, a documentary film about the looting of archeological sites in iraq by marie-hélène carleton and micah Garen (pictured above in front of the Ziggurat of Ur, Nasiriyah, iraq, in July of 2004) was one of nine projects selected for inclusion in the inaugural film independent Documentary Lab held in Los angeles in march and april. an intensive seven-week program aimed at assisting filmmakers with their works-in-progress, the lab is designed to provide a challenging, creative environment in which filmmakers can develop their “strong, original voices.” alex gibney, the oscar- winning director of Taxi to the Dark Side, has come on board as the film’s executive producer. Carleton and garen worked on The Road to Nasiriyah during their 2007 residency at macDowell.
Documentary filmmaker laura poitras (pictured left in baetz Studio) and playwright doug wright (shown below) are two of 52 artists working in design, literature, media, performing arts, and visual arts from across the country who were awarded a $50,000 unrestricted grant from United States artists in December. Chosen for the quality and substance of their work, USa fellows represent “some of the most innovative and diverse creative talents in the country,” according to United States artists, a grant-making and advocacy organization. in addition to Poitras and Wright, macDowell fellow playwright Brighde mullins, filmmaker natalia almada, painter Glenn ligon, and sculptor anna von mertens were also announced as USa fellows at a special celebration at Lincoln Center in New York on December 7th.Poitras’s O’ Say Can You See, the mulitchannel video installation she worked on at macDowell last year, premiered at the atlanta Contemporary art Center in october. During his residency at macDowell earlier this year, Wright redrafted the book of his texas-based musical Hands on a Hard Body in preparation for an upcoming production at California’s La Jolla Playhouse. “the real triumph of the Colony is the quiet but pervasive aura of industry that characterizes it,” says Wright. “all around you, artists are feverishly working on cherished projects; it’s impossible not to feel inspired. i am always more productive on these grounds than anywhere else.”
Above: WunderKammer, installation view.Right: the artists in firth Studio.
more awards, Grants, and fellowshipsmARtINBoykAN,composerMember, American Academy of Arts and Letters
ANGeLACo,architectRome Prize
RIChARDFoeRSteR,poetNEA Fellowship, Poetry
eLLIotGReeN,painterRome Prize
mARthAhoRSt,composerAaron Copland Award
AARoNJAykeRNIS,composerMember, American Academy of Arts and Letters
SIoBhANLIDDeLL,sculptorRome Prize
eRICmoe,composer Aaron Copland Award
SuZANNeRIVeCA,writerRome Prize
huANGRuo,composerAaron Copland Award
ALVINSINGLetoN,composerAaron Copland Award
SUTT
on
BeR
eSc
Ull
eR
co
UR
TeSy
Ph
oTo
co
UR
TeSy
Ph
oTo
The
Mac
Do
wel
lc
olo
ny
4
$780,000toGoRemAININGeFFoRtSwILLFuND
LIBRARyCoNStRuCtIoNANDFeLLowShIPeNDowmeNt
kresgeInvests$1millioninmacDowellthISSPRING,thekresgeFoundationawardeda
$1milliongranttomacDowell’sCampaignfor
theSecondCentury.matchingthelargestgifts
everreceivedbytheColonyandcomingfroma
nationallyesteemedinstitution,thisgrant
recognizesmacDowellasanationaltreasure.
AninvestmentinmacDowell’simmediateandfuture
capitalneeds,thegrantwasgiventhroughkresge’s
FacilitiesandBuildingReserveGrantprogram.In
presentingthegranttothefoundation’sboardof
trustees,kresgeartsandcultureprogramofficers
notedthatmacDowellisanationalandinternational
leaderinitsfieldthat“contributestotheliveliness
oftheartsandtheculturalecosystem.”halfofthis
fundingwillgotowardlibraryconstructionandthe
otherhalfwillseedaboard-designatedcapital
reservesfundtooffsetthecostoflong-termcare
andmaintenanceoftheColony’sfacilities.
thanks to macdowell’s board of directors, strong foundation support, and the generosity of other early
contributors, including a number of colony fellows, the campaign for the second century has secured more
than $12.2 million as of may 1, 2011, for the following initiatives:
stipends DirectfinancialsupportopenstheMacDowellresidencyexperiencetoawiderandmorediversecommunity.Stipendscovercostsassociatedwithtravel,shippingwork,andsupplies,andhelptomakeupforlostincomerelatedtotimespentinresidence.Thisassistanceforartistswithlimitedincomedefraysalargeportionofthesecosts,givingartists-in-residencegreaterpeaceofmindtoworkexperimentallyandproductivelywhileatthecolony.
capital improvementsThe$1.5millionrenovationofcolonyhallrestoredMacDowell’ssocialcentertoawelcomingandversatilebuilding,wherefellowsshareideasduringmealsandmomentsofrelaxation.Renovationstothekitchen,Bondhall,andofficesaddedmorecommonspaceforartiststoengageinthedynamiccommunity
attheheartoftheMacDowellexperience.otherbuildingprojectsincludethepreservationofthecolony’shistoricsites,suchasedwardMacDowell’slogcabin—thecolony’sprototypestudio—andtheMacDowells’musicroomathillcrest.
BuildinG reserve fundInadditiontobuildingexcitingnewfacilities,MacDowellistriplingdesignatedendowmentfundsthatunderwritethemaintenanceofstudios,commonbuildings,andinfrastructure.
capacity BuildinGInvestinginMacDowell’soperationsfrom2005to2012hasadvancedtheorganization’sunderstandingofitsrolewithinthenationalartsinfrastructureandestablishedasustainablemajorgiftsandplannedgivingprogramthatwillcontinuetosupporttheprogramlongafterthecampaign’sconclusion.
MacDowell is always looking for ways to enhance the residency experience for artists-in-residence. In this spirit of perpetual renewal, we’re pleased to share news of our $13 million Campaign for the Second Century — the largest fund-raising endeavor in the Colony’s 104-year history.Together, the Campaign projects described below will ensure that MacDowell will continue to flourish as the nation’s leading creative incubator for new work.
ComPLetINGtheCAmPAIGNTo raise the last $780,000 of our $13 million goal, we will need the help of the Colony’s entire network of friends, artists, and patrons.
fellowshipsLastyear,287artistswereinresidenceatmacDowell.NamedFellowshipsprovidedfundingtounderwritethecostofjust68ofthese
artists.witheachadditiontotheendowment,theColonycomesonestepclosertoassuredsustainability.
liBrary Anewlibrarybuilding(arenderingofwhichispicturedatleft)willbepairedwith
theiconicSavidgeLibrarytoprovideaunifiedlibrarycomplexwithreadyaccess
totheworkofallmacDowellartistsregardlessofdiscipline.oncerenovated,the
existingbuildingwillreclaimitsplaceastheidealspaceforartists’presenta-
tions,andwillalsoofferreadingchairstocomplementthebook-linedwalls.the
adjacentnewbuildingwillgreatlyexpandthelibrary’scapacityandeaseofaccess
todigitalmediaandtheInternetwhilealsoaddingnookswheresmallgroupscan
exchangeideas,watchfilms,orlistentomusicwithoutdistractingothers.
Site plan showing the library complex.
PLeASeGIVetomACDoweLL’SFutuReByDoNAtINGtotheCAmPAIGNtoDAy.
ouRDeADLINeISmARCh31,2012.
*gifts and pledges as of may 1, 2011
ToD
wIl
lIaM
SB
IllI
eTS
Ien
aR
ch
ITec
TS
ToD
wIl
lIaM
SB
IllI
eTS
Ien
aR
ch
ITec
TS
$12,220,000
$780,000
*RAISED
REMAINING
GOAL: $13,000,000
The
Mac
Do
wel
lc
olo
ny
5
Providingreadyaccesstoworksofeverymedium,thenew
librarywillenablemacDowelltoaddtoitscollectionof
contributedworksfromColonyFellows,whichcurrently
standsatmorethan10,000items.Itis,andwillforeverbe,a
singularcollection,housinganarrayofculturalachievements
fromeveryartisticdisciplineunderoneroof.macDowell
gratefullyacceptsdonationsofFellows’artwork,including
thosethatwerecreatedinwholeorinpartattheColony.
the architect’s view:
todwilliamsDiscussestheDesignformacDowell’sNewLibraryAS WE’VE COVERED IN THE LAST FEW ISSuES of MacDowell’s newsletter, the Colony is in the process of creating a new library for resident artists. Taking the library from physical to digital and expanding beyond music, film, and literature to include all the arts, the new building — alongside the existing Savidge Library — will include numerous features essential for housing and providing access to the array of traditional and digital media that comprise the contemporary work of MacDowell artists.
The internationally renowned architecture firm Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (TWBTA) is bringing this concept to life. Perhaps best known for their award-winning design for the American Folk Art Museum in New York City, TWBTA is widely acclaimed and has been repeatedly honored by the American Institute of Architects. Tod and Billie, along with TWBTA project architect Brent Buck, have spent the past year developing and refining plans for MacDowell’s new library center. Recently, Tod Williams took some time to discuss the design.
what initially attracted you to pursue the design commission? ItseemslikewehaveknownaboutMacDowellforever—mefromaformerclient,artist,andfriend,JudithRothschild.BillielearnedofMacDowellfromherchildhoodpianoteacher,Mrs.Kent,afriendandadmirerof[edward]MacDowell,whokeptaphotographofhimmountedprominentlybyherpianoandhadBillieplay“ToawildRose.”Today,it
seemsBillieremembersMacDowellbetterthan“wildRose.”andsincewehavealongstandinginterestinthearts,wewereimmediatelyinterestedinthecolony.
as your design for the library has taken shape, how has your interest in the colony developed?Today,wefindwehavemanymoreconnectionstothosewhohavebeenatMacDowell,andmorearedevelopingallthetime.Theabstractionofknowingofthecolonyhasbeenreplacedbyasenseofamorereal,personalconnection.
you’ve spent a number of days at macdowell, studying the site and meeting with artists. how did your experience of sharing meals and ideas with the artists at colony hall affect your vision for the project?Thesenseofcommunitysurprisedus.ourpreviousimpressionwasthatofinsularresidenceswhereartistswouldspendmostoftheirtime.weknewofsharedmealsbutdidnotknowofthehungerforcommunity.
twBta is renowned for its attention to detail. when colony fellows inhabit the new library, what kind of experience do you envision for them on a daily basis?Billie,Brent,andIhopethatthosewhoinhabitthenewlibrarywillfeelithasmadetheirstaymorerewarding.Itwillbethosewhohavebeenresidentsbeforewhowillseethechangeandaddeddimension.wehopethatthewintersfeelmorecongenial,andthateachandeverycolonistexperi-encesthenewlibraryinhisorherownpersonalway.wealsohopethatSavidgemightonceagainbeexperiencedasastrong,puredestination—oneusedbothasatraditionallibraryandforspecialgatherings—ratherthanoneoverburdenedbynecessarymultipleuses.Intime,wehopethenexusoflifethatisconnectedtoSavidgeanditsadditionbecomessynonymouswithMacDowellitself.
to what extent has the preservation of the existing savidge library affected your vision of what the new building could/should be?Savidgelibraryhasbeenusedandlovedforgenerations.Therewasneveramomentwhenwefeltouradditionshouldcompetewithitforattention.Instead,wealwaysimaginedapartnershipofdifferenceandmutualrespect.IfSavidgeisexperiencedasasolid,singular,purposefulbuildingandspace,theadditionisintendedasamoredelicate,light-filled,intimatestructureopentomultipleusesanddifferentstudyingstyles.
Library fund-raising is well underway, bolstered by major support from the Kresge Foundation, the Calderwood Foundation, and MacDowell’s board of directors. For the remaining construction costs, MacDowell will depend upon its public supporters.
thePoetSGARDeN
“Tempted by room and fresh air…”
—PoetGALwAykINNeLLFRom“FLoweRheRDINGoNmouNtmoNADNoCk”
thePoetsGardenatmacDowell’snewlibrarywillwelcomeevery
artistwhocomestotheColony.Anoutdoorretreatlocatedbehind
thereinventedlibraryspace,thetranquilplantedterracewill
offeraninvitingsiteforreadingandcontemplationorfor
gatherings.Fordetailsonhowtoaddyournametothisstirring
spaceforartists,pleasecontactustodayat212-535-9690.
BeyoNDBookS
“The MacDowell Colony’s library is the only location where most of my published and recorded work — books, images, and videos — is housed together, available for others to see, and conserved for the future. What a sense of comfort and continuity to see it all together, with the work of other Fellows, whenever
I have the privilege to return.”
—ARChIteCtFRItZhAeG
architects tod Williams (left) and billie tsien.
fritz haeg in front of adams Studio
Savidge Library in spring.
A L I B R A R y F o R A L L t h e A R t S
thANkyouFoRyouRSuPPoRt!
co
UR
TeSy
Ph
oTo
$12,220,000
$780,000
*RAISED
REMAINING
GOAL: $13,000,000
The
Mac
Do
wel
lc
olo
ny
6
rem
embe
ring
Chabon elected Chairman of the BoardInearlyDecember,MacDowellannouncedtheelectionofPulitzerPrize-winningauthormichaelChabonasthenewchairmanofthecolony’sboardofdirectors.followinginthefootstepsofalonglineofdistin-guishedleaders,chabonisinterna-tionallyacclaimedforhiscomplexanddiversework.hisfirstnovel,The Mysteries of Pittsburgh(1988),wasaNew York Timesbestselleraswashissecond,Wonder Boys(1995),whichwasmadeintoacriticallyacclaimedfilm.Duringthreeseparateresiden-ciesatMacDowell,chabonworkedonhisthirdnovel,The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,whichwonthe2000PulitzerPrizeinliteratureandwasafinalistforthenationalBookcriticscircleaward,thePen/faulkneraward,andtheLos Angeles TimesBookPrize.hismostrecentworkisacollectionofessaystitledManhood for Amateurs: The Pleasures & Regrets of a Husband, Father & Son,whichwasreleasedbyharpercollinsinoctoberof2009.
chabonsaysheviewstheopportunitytotakeonthisleadershiproleasanaturalextensionofthesenseofdutyhehasalwaysfeltasareturningMacDowellfellowtocarry,foster,andholdtruetotheuniquespiritofthecolony.“MacDowellisamiraclethathascomethroughformemanytimesovertheyears,”hesays.“Servingasboardchairgivesmetheopportu-nitytorepaymyindebtednessjustatinybit.”
edward Albee named 2011 macdowell medalistTheMacDowellcolonywillpresentits52ndedwardMacDowellMedaltorenownedplaywrightedwardalbeeonSunday,august14,2011.called“theleadingplaywrightofhisgeneration”byThe New York Times,albeehasreceivedthreePulitzerPrizesandthreeTonyawardsoverthecourseofhiscareer.widelycelebratedforhismasterfuluseoflanguageandhisdedicationtoexperimentingwithform,heistheauthorofatotalof30playstodate,includinghismostrecognizedwork,Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?(1963).hereceivedtheKennedycenterhonorsandthenationalMedalofartsin1996,aswellasaTonyawardforlifetimeachievementin2005.InadditiontobeingpresidentofTheedwardf.albeefoundation,heiscurrentlyaDistinguishedProfessorofPlaywritingattheUniversityofhouston.
Innaminghimthe2011Medalist,andréBishop,artisticDirectoroflincolncenterTheaterandchairmanofthisyear’sMedalistselectioncommittee,said,“edwardalbeewaschosenforaclearandobviousreason:heisatoweringpresenceintheamericantheatre.hisplayshaveinfluencedourcultureandourdiscourseformorethan50years.”JoiningBishopontheMedalselectioncommitteewerewriterPeterCameron,aMacDowellcolonyfellowandboardmember;Jameshoughton,theRichardRodgersDirectoroftheDramaDivisionatJuilliardandfoundingartisticDirectoratnewyork’sSignatureTheatrecompany;MacDowellcolonyfellowplaywrightandauthorhonormoore;PulitzerPrize-winningplaywrightlynnnottage;andartisticDirectorforhartfordStage,Michaelwilson.
Thisyear’sMedalDayawardceremonywilltakeplaceat12:15p.m.,followedbypicniclunchesoncolonygrounds(MedalDaypicniclunchbasketscanbeorderedatwww.macdowellcolony.org).openstudiotourshostedbyMacDowellartists-in-residencebeginat2:00p.m.andendat5:00p.m.ThereisnochargetoattendMedalDay.TheMacDowellcolonyisgratefulforthesupportofourMedalDaycorporatepartner,lincolnfinancialfoundation.
Benny Andrews sale at sotheby’s to Benefit macdowellartcollectorswhopurchasethethreeBennyAndrewsworkspresentedatSotheby’sfallcontemporaryartSalewillhavetheaddeddistinctionofsupportingartistsatMacDowell.Donatedbytheandrewshumphreyfamilyfoundation,theseoilandcollagecompositionsfromandrews’sFreedom of the PressserieswillbeauctionedoffatSotheby’sonSeptember22nd.afour-timecolonyfellow,andrewswasamemberofMacDowell’sboardofdirectorsfrom1987untilhisdeathin2006.ThepieceswillbeexhibitedatSotheby’sgallerytheweekbeforetheauction;allproceedswillgodirectlytowardprovidingartistresidenciesatMacDowell.atthedirectionofandrews’swidow,visualartistNenehumphrey,thefoundationdonatedtheseworkstosupportthecolony’soperationsandtoendowtheBennyandrewsfellowship,whichaimstoadvancethediversityofMacDowell’sresidencyprogram.heldtwiceannually,Sotheby’scontemporaryartSalefeaturesworkbyPost-warmasterssuchasandywarhol,RobertRauschenberg,andwillemdeKooningandcelebratedcontemporaryartistssuchasGlennLigon,cindySherman,andandresGursky.GiftsofartworkareaparticularlymeaningfulwaytosupportMacDowell,ensuringthatthemoneyexchangedforartisreinvestedtosupportartistsandthecreationofnewworkatthecolony.artcollectorsandenthusiastsareencouragedtohelpMacDowellmaximizeitsreturnonthesaleoftheseworksbyparticipatingintheauctionandpromotingittootherinterestedparties.
national Council updateafterrollingoutthenationalcouncil—adonorrecognitionprogramforthecolony’smostloyalpatrons—infebruaryof2011,MacDowellispleasedtohaveconfirmed25memberstodate.entrypointbeginswitha$2,500annualcommit-ment,includingcumulativedonationstotheannualfund,MedalDay,nationalBenefit,newhampshireBenefit,orcampaignfortheSecondcentury.councilmembersareinvitedtoattendexclusiveeventsaroundthecountryatlittleornoadditionalcost.InterestedpartiesshouldcontactelenaQuevedoatequevedo@macdowellcolony.orgor212-535-9690.Besuretomarkthecalendarforthisupcomingnationalcouncilevent:
october19–23,2011:fourthannualnationalTrip.MacDowell’snewchairmanoftheBoard,michaelChabon,willhostanart-filledweekendinandaroundtheSanfranciscoBayarea,wherehelives.
new
s
Lee Hoiby_composerLeehoibydiedonMarch28,2011,innewyorkcity.afive-timeMacDowellfellowwhoseprolificrepertoireincludedoperas,choralworks,chamberworks,songcycles,andmorethan100songs,hewastherecipientofvariousgrantsandawardsfrommanyprestigiousorganizations,aswellasnumerouscommissionsfromnewyorkcityopera,americanoperaProjects,andtheSpoletofestival,amongmanyothers.TheworldpremiereofhisoperaRomeo and Julietisscheduledforthe2012/2013season.hewas85.
Rosamond Putnam_longtimeMacDowellfriendandBoardemeritaRosamondPutnampassedawayinKeene,newhampshire,onfebruary16,2011,attheageof92.Shebeganher23-yeartermasaMacDowellboardmemberin1969,servingasboardsecretaryformostofhertenure.lendinghergraceandintelligencetohelpgovernthecolonythroughvarioustransitions,shewaselectedboardemeritain1992.hergenerouscontributionstoMacDowelloverthepasttwodecadesincludethefundingoftheRosamondand
DavidPutnamStudioforgraphicarts;theestablishmentofthePutnamTransportationfundtohelpdefraytravelcostsforartiststravelingtothecolonyfromabroad;and,mostrecently,agrantmatchingonereceivedbythecalderwoodfoundationforthefundingofthenewlibraryaspartofthecampaignfortheSecondcentury.MacDowellisgratefultoRosforgivingsofreelyofhertimeandresourcestohelpsupportgenerationsofartistsatMacDowell.
Playwright edward albee will be on hand to accept the 2011 edward macDowell medal.
Left: one of Benny andrews’s works that will be offered up for sale on behalf of macDowell. Freedom of the Press, study #1; oil and collage on paper; 36” x 24”; 1990.
new Board memBer
erikehnPlaywRIGhT/TheaTReDIRecToR
co
UR
TeSy
Ph
oTo
STeP
han
IeR
aUSS
eR
co
UR
TeSy
Ph
oTo
co
UR
TeSy
of
BR
ow
nU
nIV
eRSI
Ty
The
Mac
Do
wel
lc
olo
ny
7
even
ts
out
reac
h
macdowell downtownaseriesoffreepresentationsofferedbyMacDowellcolonyartists,the2011seasonofMacDowellDowntownisscheduledtotakeplacethefirstfridayofthemonthfromMarchtonovemberatthePeterboroughhistoricalSociety.SingerJosephkecklerpackedthehousewitharousingperformanceatthepianoatMarch’sMacDowellDowntown,followedinaprilbydocumentaryfilmmakerJessicaoreck,whoscreenedexcerptsofpastfilmsandcurrentworks-in-progress.MayandJunefeaturedtheworkofthreedifferentwriters:poetAndreaCohenandfictionwriterNancyReismansharedverseandcreativewritingatMay’sMacDowellDowntown,whilepsychologistandnonfictionwriterRobertAkeretpresentedhumorousanecdotesandpassagesfromhiswrittenworkinJune.
macdowell in the schools TheexcitementofthecreativeprocessisbroughttolifeinlocalclassroomsonaregularbasisthroughourMacDowellintheSchoolsprogram.InDecember,nonfictionwriterDarcyFreypaidareturnvisittoconValhighSchool,whereheledadiscussionabouthisaward-winningbookThe Last Shot with75conValstudentsfromvariousclasses.Thebook’spublisher,houghtonMifflinharcourt,donated150copiesofthebooksoitcouldbeincorpo-ratedintotheschool’scurriculum.
alsoinDecember,studentsfromTheMeetingSchoolinRindgevisitedthecolony,wherecomposerDavidRakowskisharedhismusicinMondayMusicStudio.Infebruary,incollabora-tionwiththeSharonartscenter’sartaccessProgram,painterLoriLarussoinvitedartstudentsfromseveralareahighschoolstoalexanderStudio,whereshesharedherwork,discussedartschool,andtalkedaboutwhatit’sliketobeaworkingartist.InMarch,architectRoniteisenbachpresentedherworkandspoketoarchitecturalengineeringstudentsandaceramicsclassatconVal.
other outreachThroughouttheyear,MacDowellfrequentlyhostsandparticipatesinbothon-siteandoff-sitemeetingsandeventsthatarefocusedonbothlocalandnationalissuesrelatedtotheimpor-tanceofthearts.InDecember,thecolonyopeneditsdoorstohostaroundtablediscussionaboutculturaltourism(withResidentDirectorDavidMacyinattendance)heldinSavidgelibrarybynewhampshireStateDepartmentofculturalResourcescommissioner,VanMacleod.InJanuary,Macyhostedanothermeetingatthecolonyforartsalive!—anonprofitorganizationworkingtoadvanceartsandcultureinthelocalcommunity,forwhichMacyservesasaboardmember—todiscussopportunitiesforlocalartsorganizationstocollaborateandattractculturaltourismtotheMonadnockregion.
national Benefit Celebrates macneil’s 17 years of leadershiponMonday,December6,2010,Lisakronhostedanall-startributetoRobertMacneiltocelebratehisretirementafter17yearsaschairmanoftheboard.writersJonathanFranzenandcalvinTrillinhonoredhimbeforeanenthusiasticcrowdofmorethan300guestsatTheTimescenterinnewyorkcity.Duringtheprogram,Macneilannouncedthecolony’snewchairman,PulitzerPrize-winningauthorandcolonyfellowmichaelChabon.TheeveningbeganwithanexplosionofpowerandgraceasdancersfromtheaileyIIDancecompanyperformedapiecechoreographedbyDonaldByrd.Colsonwhiteheadreadfromhiswork,andemmyaward-winningactresscherryJonesreadfromtheworkofwillaCather.aclipfromAnnaBodenandRyanFleck’slatestfilm,It’s Kind of a Funny Story,wasalsoscreened,andviolinistMariaBachmannandpianistStephenGoslingperformedPaulmoravec’sAriel Fantasy.TheeveningcametoarousingclosewithasatiricalsketchaboutlifeatthecolonycreatedandperformedbyKronandmichaelFriedmanandalsofeaturingByrd,chabon,Moravec,andTrillin.
SpecialthankstonationalBenefitchairsStephanieandRobertM.olmsted;BarbaraandandrewSenchak;andTheresaandcharlesf.Stone,III.MacDowellwouldalsoliketothankourextraordinaryhonorarychairs,Jamescasebere,StephenDaldry,PhilipGlass,IsaacMizrahi,andlornaSimpson.MacDowellappreciatesthegenerosityofitsmanydonors,includingRandomhouse/Bertelsmannforitssponsorshipandfarrar,Straus&GirouxfordonatingcopiesofJonathanfranzen’snovelFreedom,whichweregiventoallguests.
macdowell serves two helpinGs of mac ’n’ cheeseIn2010,macDowell’spopularsubscriptionsalon
series,mac’n’Cheese,expandedfromitsoriginal
NewyorkCityhomeintoBoston.Nowbothcities
playhosttotwomacDowellFellowpresentations
onwednesdayeveningsintheintimatesettingofa
supporter’shome.the2011seasonkickedoffon
April27thasLouiseeastmanhostedarchitect
Aki Ishida andwriterAnthony Schneiderfora
delightfuleveninginherNewyorkgarden.
BrothersandwritersJoeandJohn Foxwere
featuredartistsonmay11thintheBostonhome
ofmonicaandmichaelLehner.tosubscribeto
mac’n’Cheese,pleasecontactDeanklinglerat
mac ’n’ cheese, new york: featuring hunter Bell and susan BlackwellJune 29, 2011
mac ’n’ cheese, new york:featuring julie orringer and ryan hartySeptember 21, 2011
mac ’n’ cheese, Boston:(details to come) october 12, 2011
national Benefit, new york:December 5, 2011
save the dates
the ailey ii Dance Company performing at the 2010 National benefit.
Left to right: jonathan franzen, Calvin trillin, michael chabon, and robert macNeil.
Singer joseph keckler performs for a full house at macDowell Downtown.
Top, center: Writer darcy frey talks to students at ConVal high School after his macDowell in the Schools presentation. Above: lori larusso hosts a studio visit with Sharon arts Center students.
new Board memBer
STeV
eTU
cK
eR
STeV
eTU
cK
eR
MIc
hel
lea
lDR
eDG
e
The
Mac
Do
wel
lc
olo
ny
8
fellowshipsLeft to right: Writer timothy sohn, composer tina davidson, playwright kia corthron, filmmaker tomonari nishikawa, visual artist selena kimball, and architect Gail Borden.
LiZ DUffY aDamS, Theatre Artistgreenfield, ma
DaViD aDJmi, Theatre Artistbrooklyn, NY
NataLia aLmaDa, Film/Video ArtistColonia roma, meXiCo
Cam arCher, Film/Video Artist Santa Cruz, Ca
DaViD aUbUrN, Theatre ArtistNew York, NY
raCheL baSCh, WriterSandy hook, Ct
amY bLoom, Writer Durham, Ct
NiChoLaS boggS, Writer brooklyn, NY
tamara bogoLaSKY, Visual Artistbrooklyn, NY
gaiL borDeN, Architect Los angeles, Ca
Sarah bUrghaUSer, Writer Los angeles, Ca
DaNieL CaNNiZZaro, Interdisciplinary ArtistProvidence, ri
SUZaNNe CarboNNeaU, Writerfairfax, Va
DaViD CarPeNter, ComposerPhiladelphia, Pa
Kate Carr, Visual ArtistSanta fe, Nm
CeCiL CaSteLLUCCi, WriterLos angeles, Ca
Chao-JaN ChaNg, ComposerWaltham, ma
DoN CoLbUrN, WriterPortland, or
eDUarDo CorraL, WriterCasa grande, aZ
Kara Lee CorthroN, Theatre ArtistNew York, NY
Kia CorthroN, Theatre ArtistNew York, NY
Zoe CroSher, Visual ArtistLos angeles, Ca
Katie CroUCh, WriterSan francisco, Ca
gorDoN DahLqUiSt, Theatre ArtistNew York, NY
tiNa DaViDSoN, Composermarietta, Pa
beNoit DeNiZet-LeWiS, Writerboston, ma
CathariNe DiLL, Interdisciplinary Artistbrooklyn, NY
Jeff DoLVeN, Writerbrooklyn, NY
biLL DomoNKoS, Film/Video Artistoakland, Ca
Sara DU SabLoN, WriterChapel hill, NC
roNit eiSeNbaCh, Architecttakoma Park, mD
amY eLLiNgSoN, Visual ArtistSan francisco, Ca
aNgie eNg, Interdisciplinary ArtistParis, fraNCe
aNNa eVaNS, Writerhainesport, NJ
LarrY feigN, WriterLantau island, hoNg KoNg
SimoN fiNK, ComposerSt. Joseph, mo
SCott fraNKeL, ComposerNew York, NY
VaNeSSa geZari, WriterWashington, DC
JaNe giLLooLY, Film/Video ArtistSomerville, ma
SamaNtha gormaN, Interdisciplinary ArtistProvidence, ri
matt graSSo, Writerbayonne, NJ
aLeXaNDra grimaL, ComposerParis, fraNCe
riCharD griSWoLD, Architectboston, ma
Yotam haber, Composerbrooklyn, NY
meroN haDero, WriterSeattle, Wa
aLeX haLberStaDt, Writerbrooklyn, NY
aNNie haN, Visual ArtistSeattle, Wa
JeNNifer harmoN, Architectann arbor, mi
JoShUa eLiaS harmoN, Theatre Artistatlanta, ga
JoeL harriSoN, ComposerNew York, NY
JohN hartmaNN, Architectbrooklyn, NY
CaroL hebaLD, WriterNew York, NY
NeNe hUmPhreY, Visual Artistbrooklyn, NY
megaN hUStaD, WriterNew York, NY
timothY hYDe, ArchitectCambridge, ma
hiSao ihara, Interdisciplinary Artistbrooklyn, NY
giSeLa iNSUaSte, Visual Artistbrooklyn, NY
mattheW JeNSeN, Visual Artistbrooklyn, NY
Sheri JoSePh, Writeratlanta, ga
LaUreN JoYCe, Writerboston, ma
raCheL KaDiSh, WriterNewtonville, ma
JoSePh KeCKLer, Interdisciplinary Artistbrooklyn, NY
SibYL KemPSoN, Theatre ArtistNew York, NY
Kait KerrigaN, Theatre ArtistNew York, NY
NaNCY KeYStoNe, Theatre ArtistLos angeles, Ca
SeLeNa KimbaLL, Visual Artistbrooklyn, NY
CharLeS KoNDeK, Theatre Artisthudson, NY
miChaeL Korie, Theatre ArtistNew York, NY
JULia KotS, Film/Video ArtistNew York, NY
LarrY KroNe, Visual ArtistNew York, NY
oLiVia LaiNg, Writereast Sussex, UNiteD KiNgDom
Lori LarUSSo, Visual ArtistLexington, KY
DaN LeVeNSoN, Visual Artistbrooklyn, NY
briaN LoWDermiLK, Theatre ArtistNew York, NY
aNNe marie maCari, WriterLambertville, NJ
JameS magrUDer, Theatre Artistbaltimore, mD
ZibUoKLe martiNaitYte, ComposerNew York, NY
WYatt maSoN, Writerrhinebeck, NY
mitCh mCCabe, Film/Video ArtistLos angeles, Ca
marY aNN mCfaDDeN, WriterLaredo, tX
Katie merZ, Visual Artistbrooklyn, NY
DaNieL mihaLYo, Visual ArtistSeattle, Wa
LeSLie mUrraY, Visual Artistbrooklyn, NY
ittY NeUhaUS, Interdisciplinary Artistfishkill, NY
tomoNari NiShiKaWa, Film/Video Artistokazaki, JaPaN
JeSSiCa oreCK, Film/Video ArtistNew York, NY
mamiKo otSUbo, Visual Artistbrooklyn, NY
KareN PaLmer, WriterLos angeles, Ca
SUNgYeoN ParK, Interdisciplinary ArtistSungnam, SoUth Korea
CaroLie ParKer, Writeraltadena, Ca
StaCY PermaN, Writerbrooklyn, NY
marY aNN PeterS, Visual ArtistSeattle, Wa
bUNDith PhUNSombatLert, Interdisciplinary Artistbrooklyn, NY
tom PiaZZa, WriterNew orleans, La
JeN PLaSKoWitZ, Visual ArtistWoodstock, mD
geNeVieVe qUiCK, Visual ArtistSan francisco, Ca
briaN qUirK, Theatre ArtistNew York, NY
DaViD raKoWSKi, Composermaynard, ma
oCtaVia raNDoLPh, WriterNahant, ma
rUfUS reiD, Composerteaneck, NJ
NathaLie roZot, ArchitectNew York, NY
DomeNiCa rUta, WriterDanvers, ma
marY Jo SaLter, Writerbaltimore, mD
aNthoNY SChNeiDer, WriterNew York, NY
beth SChWartZaPfeL, Writerbrooklyn, NY
JorDaN SeaVeY, Theatre Artistbrooklyn, NY
bettY Shamieh, Theatre ArtistNew York, NY
JUStiN SheriN, Theatre Artistmt. Laurel, NJ
SUmaKShi SiNgh, Visual Artistharyana, iNDia
aLViN SiNgLetoN, Composeratlanta, ga
timothY SohN, Writerbrooklyn, NY
aNNa SoLomoN, WriterProvidence, ri
PatriCK SomerViLLe, WriterChicago, iL
eVeLYN SPeNCe, Writerbrooklyn, NY
geraLD SterN, WriterLambertville, NJ
NoVa reN SUma, WriterNew York, NY
DaNieL SWift, Writerbrooklyn, NY
mariLee taLKiNgtoN, Theatre ArtistSan francisco, Ca
Kate tarKer, Theatre Artistbrooklyn, NY
Darrah teiteL, Theatre Artistmontreal, CaNaDa
LYNNe tiLLmaN, WriterNew York, NY
eUgeNe UmaN, Composerbrattleboro, Vt
CoriNNa VaLLiaNatoS, WriterClaremont, Ca
ViNt Virga, Writereast greenwich, ri
aLeKSaNDra VrebaLoV, ComposerNew York, NY
breNt WataNabe, Interdisciplinary ArtistSeattle, Wa
LoriN Wertheimer, Film/Video Artistbrooklyn, NY
CharLie White, Film/Video ArtistLos angeles, Ca
CoLSoN WhiteheaD, Writerbrooklyn, NY
aNNe marie Wirth, Writermissoula, mt
mattheW WoLf, Film/Video Artistbrooklyn, NY
DoUg Wright, Theatre ArtistNew York, NY
marK Wright, Architectglen ridge, NJ
SUSaN YaNKoWitZ, Theatre ArtistNew York, NY
mattheW Yeager, Writerbrooklyn, NY
JameS Yeh, Writerbrooklyn, NY
StePheN YiP, Composerhouston, tX
fromnovemberof2010throughaprilof2011,TheMacDowellcolonywelcomedthe137artistslistedbelow,whocamefrom23statesand9countries.Thisgroupincluded50writers,23artistsworkingintheatre,20visualartists,15composers,11film/videoartists,10interdisciplinaryartists,and8architects.
on the cover…
Perspective rendering of the entrance of the new library complex designed by tod Williams billie tsien architects.
MacDowell is published twice a year, in June and December. Past fellows may send newsworthy activities to the editor in Peterbor-ough. Deadlines for inclusion are april 1st and october 1st.
editor:KarenSampson
DesignandProduction:JohnhallDesignGroup,Beverly,Ma
Allphotographsnototherwisecredited:JoannaeldredgeMorrissey
Printer:ShawmutPrinting,Danvers,Ma
mailinghouse:SterlingBusinessPrint&Mail,Peterborough,nh
No part of MacDowell may be reused in any way without written permission.
© 2011, the macDowell Colony
ThenamesofMacDowellfellowsarenotedinboldthroughoutthisnewsletter.
themacDowellColonyislocatedat100highStreetPeterborough,nh03458Telephone:603-924-3886fax:603-924-9142
Administrativeoffice:163east81stStreetnewyork,ny10028Telephone:212-535-9690fax:212-737-3803
website:www.macdowellcolony.orge-mail:[email protected]
the macDowell Colony awards fellowships to artists of exceptional talent, providing time, space, and an inspiring environment in which to do creative work. the Colony was founded in 1907 by composer edward macDowell and pianist marian Nevins macDowell, his wife. fellows receive room, board, and exclusive use of a studio. the sole criterion for acceptance is talent, as determined by a panel representing the discipline of the applicant. the macDowell Colony was awarded the National medal of arts in 1997 for “nurturing and inspiring many of this century’s finest artists.”
applications are available on our Web site at
www.macdowellcolony.org.
Chairman:MichaelchabonPresident:SusanDavenportaustinexecutiveDirector:cheryla.youngResidentDirector:DavidMacy
theColonyisgratefulforthegeneroussupportofthefollowingorganizations:
ToD
wIl
lIaM
SB
IllI
eTS
Ien
aR
ch
ITec
TS