Greenfield Prize Celebration and Award Presentation Held 4/15

Thursday, April 15, 2010 is the date for the third presentation of the annuAl Greenfield Prize, a $30,000 commission for a new work of art in a designated category. This year's award goes to Sanford Biggers, the first visual artist to receive the Greenfield Prize since its inception in 2008. At the dinner, being held 6:00 pm at Michael's On East, in Sarasota, FL, Biggers will receive the award from Dan Cameron, Founder of U.S. Biennial, Inc. and artistic director of Prospect New Orleans. Celebrated American Artist James Rosenquist will be the keynote speaker. In addition, Mr. Rosenquist will speak to Ringling College students the following day, in a special arrangement made through the Hermitage with the college, a continuous supporter of Hermitage programming.

"We are expecting a spectacular evening," Executive Director Bruce Rodgers reported. "When we created the award two years ago, we wanted it to become one of international importance and prestige, similar to the Pulitzer Prize. The caliber of our winners, as well as the keynote speakers we are able to attract to speak about art at our event, shows we are on our way to reaching that lofty goal. Being able to arrange for James Rosenquist, a living legend in American contemporary art, to address the Ringling College students added another level of excitement to the programming we are able to provide in our community."

Flora Major, who has put together an experienced and enthusiastic committee of Sarasota County residents, eager to help establish the Greenfield Prize Celebration as an evening not to be missed, is chairing the Greenfield Prize Celebration event on April 15. The committee list includes: Gerri Aaron, ElLen Berman, Nancy Blackstone, Veronica Brady, BJ Creighton, Ilene Denton, Rebecca Donelson, Nita Edmondson-Cole, Renee Hamad, Teri Hansen, Pauline Joerger, Alexandra Jupin, Victoria Leopold, Marjorie North, Lee Peterson, Chris Pfahler, Flori Roberts, Lisa Rubinstein, Ina Schnell, Tiffany Taylor, Brenda Terris, Pat Thompson, and Sally Yanovitz.

"What a great experience we are having," remarked Major. "The Prize is very inspiring, not only to the winners but to everyone involved with bringing it to the attention of our community and beyond. Last year's first winning playwright, Obie-award winner Craig Lucas, will have the first public reading of his Greenfield Prize commissioned play read on April 2nd and 3rd. We will follow that with this year's presentation to the new winner, visual artist Sanford Biggers. In residence and present at the celebration will be Eve Beglarian, the 2009 winner in music, whose work will be premiered next year. I think I speak for everyone involved when I say this is one of the most exciting projects to be involved with. We hope everyone reserves soon, as we are limiting the number attending in order to preserve the evening's experience and importance."

Tickets to the Greenfield Prize Celebration are $125 for a single guest and $250 for a patron. For more information on the Greenfield Prize or the Celebration, visit the website at www.greenfieldprize.org or call 941-475-2098.