2015 GREENFIELD PRIZE WEEKEND HAS MANY FIRSTS
The Hermitage Artist Retreat, along with the Philadelphia-based Greenfield Foundation, is pleased to announce that the prestigious Greenfield Prize will be awarded this year during a busy three-day celebration of arts in America beginning Friday, April 17th and ending on Sunday, April 19th. The schedule includes a first public viewing of the Greenfield Prize commissioned work of visual artist Trenton Doyle Hancock (winner 2013) at The Ringling, the first rehearsed reading of the Greenfield Prize commissioned new work by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Nilo Cruz (winner 2014) and the first video presentation of the Prize to 2015 Greenfield Prize winner in music Composer Bobby Previte. The commissions will bookend events that also include Creative Conversations involving music and visual art experts, along with the Prizewinners.
“We have another very special and exciting schedule of discussions, premieres and of course, our award presentation planned during the 2015 Greenfield Prize events,” remarked Bruce E. Rodgers, executive director of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, which administers the Prize. “The Greenfield Prize is given in the form of a $30,000 commission for a new work of art and the winner is given two years in which to create the new piece. Imagine our surprise, when Nilo Cruz said his work was ready for its first reading this year. So, for the first time, we will be unveiling two commissions during the Greenfield Prize weekend. In addition, the main event, the presentation to this year’s recipient Bobby Previte will be done on video, because as a working musician, Previte is booked on our award dinner date. Fortunately, living in the 21st century, this only changes the format, not the essence of the award, which is the commission for an exciting new work to be presented as part of New Music New College programming in 2017. Bobby will still be participating in the weekend activities using state of the art technology and we are excited about this as well.”
The Greenfield Prize event schedule begins on Friday, April 17th at 9:30 am in the Ringling College Academic Auditorium where Trenton Doyle Hancock will be speaking about his work as part of the Ringling College Library Association Art Lecture Series. There is a $15 fee. Call 925-1343 for reservations. Also on Friday, Hancock’s Greenfield Prize commission, EMIT: What the Bringback Brought, will open to the public at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The exhibition will be on display from April 17th through September 13, 2015. Museum admission fees apply.
Saturday, April 18th features three Creative Conversations to be held in the College Hall Music Room at New College, 351 College Drive, Sarasota. These one-hour discussions begin at 12:30 with Graphicstudio Collaboration, presented by Trenton Doyle Hancock and Margaret Miller, Executive Director of Graphicstudio, one of the foremost printing and art making studios in the country and known for their many collaborations with the country’s most renowned artists. At 1:30 pm, Hermitage fellow, visual artist and scenic designer Anne Patterson will talk about Synesthesia – Collaboration Across Disciplines. Amongst her many projects, Patterson creates scenic design for many of the leading orchestras in the country, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony and the Philadelphia Orchestra to name a few. In Patterson’s world, being able to visualize color when hearing sounds has been a hallmark of her designs and is one of the reasons her work is in such demand from the foremost producing directors in the country. Bobby Previte – More Than Rhythm will begin at 2:30 pm with Greenfield Prize winner Bobby Previte speaking to us live via Skype. Joining Previte will be Pianist Tony Kieraldo, in Sarasota as the featured performer for the Greenfield Prize dinner. Creative Conversations are free, thanks to an Arts Opportunity Grant from the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, but reservations are recommended, as space is limited. To reserve, contact the Hermitage at 941-475-2098 or email [email protected]. The Greenfield Prize Award Dinner begins at 6:30 pm at Michael’s On East, 1212 East Avenue. In addition to the award presentation, Pianist Tony Kieraldo will preform music written by Bobby Previte. Tickets are $195. for individuals and $300. for patrons. Ticket sales are available online at GreenfieldPrize.org or call 941-475-2098.
Sunday, April 19th, as the culminating event for Asolo Rep’s Unplugged New Play Festival, there will be the first rehearsed reading of Bathing in Moonlight, the most recently commissioned Greenfield Prize play by the 2014 Greenfield Prize winner Nilo Cruz. Admission to the reading is $7. Reservations may be made by calling 941-351-8000.
“Every year we wonder how we can possibly top the next but somehow it happens,” continued Rodgers. “Being able to present these amazing artists in our community, showcasing their on-going and new works is always amazing and filled with surprises. We could not be more pleased with this year’s lineup of events. We hope the community looks forward to the Greenfield Prize weekend with as much excitement as we do. Join us for all or any of the events and experience the art of today by the people who are making it happen.”
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About the Greenfield Prize: The Greenfield Prize at the Hermitage Artist Retreat is a groundbreaking partnership between the Philadelphia-based Greenfield Foundation and the Hermitage Artist Retreat. Pursuing the mission “to bring into the world works of art that will have a significant impact on the broader or artistic culture,” the prize seeks to identify individuals whose past work and future prospects position them to achieve this lofty and ambitious goal. The prize is awarded annually and includes a $30,000 commission for a new piece of work to be created within a two-year time frame. A residency at the Hermitage Artist Retreat on Manasota Key in Englewood, FL, ensures time and space in which to do the work. The Greenfield Prize rotates each year among three artistic areas; drama, music, and visual art. For more information visit the website www.greenfieldprize.org.
About the Hermitage Artist Retreat: The Hermitage is a not-for-profit artist retreat located at 6660 Manasota Key Road in Englewood, FL. It invites accomplished painters, sculptors, writers, playwrights, poets, composers and other artists from all over the world for residencies on its beachfront historic campus. Artists are asked to contribute two services to the community during their stay and as a result, Hermitage artists touch thousands of Gulf Coast community residents with unique and inspiring programs each year. In addition, the Hermitage awards and administers the prestigious Greenfield Prize, an annual $30,000 commission for a new work of art, rotating among three disciplines: 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 Artist Retreat, call 941-475-2098 or visit the website at www.HermitageArtistRetreat.org.
About the Greenfield Foundation: The Greenfield Foundation is based in Philadelphia, PA, but funds charitable initiatives across the country. Its president and most of its trustees are members of the family of Louise and Bob Greenfield of Sarasota, Florida. Its net income, which exceeds $500,000 a year, is devoted to improving quality of life through contributions to not-for-profit institutions in the arts, education, health care and other services. The foundation originates and participates in innovative projects, which have a ripple effect beyond the immediate impact of the expenditures.
2015 Weekend of Events
Friday, April 17
9:30 a.m. Trenton Doyle Hancock (winner 2013) speaks about his work
In partnership with Ringling College Library Association Lecture Series
Ringling College Academic Auditorium
Cost $15 RSVP 941-925-1343
10:00 a.m. Opening day Greenfield Prize commissioned exhibit
EMIT: What the Bringback Brought
In partnership with John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
Museum admission fees apply
Saturday, April 18
FREE Creative Conversations thanks to Arts Opportunity Grant from Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. In partnership with New College of Florida.
Location College Hall Music Room, 351 College Drive, Sarasota. Reservations recommended by calling 941-475-2098 or email www.HermitageArtistRetreat.org
12:30 p.m. Graphicstudio Collaboration
Trenton Doyle Hancock and Margaret Miller
1:30 p.m. Synesthesia: Collaboration Across Disciplines
Anne Patterson
2:30 p.m. Bobby Previte – More Than Rhythm
Bobby Previte and Tony Kieraldo
6:30 p.m. 2015 Greenfield Prize Award Dinner
Michael’s On East, 1212 East Avenue, Sarasota, FL
Individuals $195; Patrons $300
Reserve at GreenfieldPrize.org or call 941-475-2098
Sunday, April 19
7:00 p.m. First rehearsed reading Greenfield Prize commissioned play
Bathing In Moonlight by Nilo Cruz (winner 2014)
Unplugged New Play Festival
Jane B Cook Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Cost $7.00 RSVP 941-351-8000
