HERMITAGE RECEIVES WOMAN’S EXCHANGE GRANT
The Hermitage Artist Retreat is pleased to announce that it has received a $3,500 grant from The Woman’s Exchange to support its community programming for the fiscal year ending in June of 2017. Every year, the Hermitage invites accomplished painters, sculptors, writers, playwrights, poets, composers and other artists from all over the world for residencies on its beachfront historic campus. The residency is free to these important creators of art. In exchange, however, they are asked to contribute free services in our community during their stay. As a result, Hermitage artists touch thousands of Gulf Coast community residents with unique and inspiring programs each year. These programs occur in various venues around the county, many in partnership with other arts organizations. Some are held in the schools. Others are set up on the Hermitage beachfront an hour before sunset. These programs are free and the public is always invited to bring their beach chairs, any refreshments they would like and come to experience some of the most important artists of our time.
“We are so grateful to The Woman’s Exchange for their loyal support of this programming,” remarked Executive Director Bruce E. Rodgers. “Their generosity helps us to share our world-class artists with everyone in the community. Whether it is teaching, performing or sharing works in progress, our artists never fail to keep us entertained and enlightened on what’s coming next in the bigger scope of the cultural world. The artists are so grateful to the inspiration we provide and in return, are very generous when they share their work.”
The Hermitage is a not-for-profit artist retreat located at 6660 Manasota Key Road in Englewood, FL. In addition to The Woman’s Exchange, Hermitage community programs are also partially sponsored by Philanthropist Gerri Aaron, and the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. In addition to residencies and community programs, the Hermitage awards and administers the prestigious Greenfield Prize, an annual $30,000 commission for a new work of art, rotating among visual art, music and drama. The Hermitage also partners with the Aspen Music Festival and School to award the annual Hermitage Prize to a composition student during the Festival. For more information about the Hermitage or free community programs, sign up for the Hermitage newsletter by visiting the website at www.HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
