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Judith H. Dobrzynski on Culture

Kiki Smith wins MacDowell Medal

Somehow this escaped everyone’s notice: MacDowell Colony* has named Kiki Smith as the recipient of the 50th Edward MacDowell Medal — which she’ll receive on Aug. 9.

kiki-inset.jpgMacDowell is the oldest U.S. artists’ residency program, with beautiful grounds near Peterborough, N.H., which was the model for Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.” It rotates the annual medal among disciplines — last year was the turn for achitecture, and the medal went to Thom Mayne.

Among the previous visual arts winners are Alexander Calder, Edward Hopper, Louise Nevelson, Ellsworth Kelly and Louise Bourgeois. This year’s selection committee was headed by Joan Simon, a curator at the Whitney Museum. The panel cited Smith as a “leading figure among artists addressing the philosophical, social and spiritual aspects of human nature.”

The press release is here.

A long time ago, I wrote about creativity at artists’ colonies for the New York Times. Here’s the link. 

* Disclosure: As a consultant, I have helped direct money to MacDowell, but have no influence on the choice of the MacDowell Medalist.     

 

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About Judith H. Dobrzynski

Now an independent journalist, I've worked as a reporter in the culture and business sections of The New York Times, and been the editor of the Sunday business section and deputy business editor there as well as a senior editor of Business Week and the managing editor of CNBC, the cable TV

About Real Clear Arts

This blog is about culture in America as seen through my lens, which is informed and colored by years of reporting not only on the arts and humanities, but also on business, philanthropy, science, government and other subjects. I may break news, but more likely I will comment, provide

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