Comedian and Daily Show correspondent John Hodgman made for a supremely entertaining emcee at MacDowell’s 2015 National Benefit on May 18. Chairman Michael Chabon hosted the annual event that raises critical operating funds for the Colony, which exceeded its fundraising goal of $425,000. The evening highlighted the work of nine extraordinary artists. Carrie Mae Weems’s magnificent photographs greeted an audience of 300 supporters, artists, and friends as they arrived at The TimesCenter, home of The New York Times, in midtown Manhattan.
The Art of Journalism was brought to the fore with readings from the works of Sheri Fink, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc, and Michael Paterniti. Filmmakers Michael Almereyda and Dee Rees shared their latest projects. Composer Michael Harrison and Filmmaker Bill Morrison presented their piece, Just Ancient Loops – a collaboration between the two Fellows and cellist extraordinaire Maya Beiser. Ruben Santiago-Hudson read an excerpt from James Baldwin’s Notes of a Native Son, which Baldwin worked on during a 1954 residency.
New Hampshire Benefit Raises Important Support for Residencies
Spring came to the Colony just in time for our annual New Hampshire Benefit. On April 11th, Fellows Florent Ghys and Elna Baker performed at this sold-out event. Held in Savidge Library and Bond Hall, with dinner prepared by Colony Chef Scott Tyle, this annual event brings together artists-in-residence, board members, Friends of MacDowell, and business leaders from around the Monadnock region and beyond. Chairman Michael Chabon thanked attendees for raising more than $40,000 in support of the residency program.
