On Sunday, August 11th, 1,400 enthusiastic friends, fans, and artists gathered on the verdant grounds of The MacDowell Colony to celebrate conceptual artist Charles Gaines! The weather was stunning as Board Chairman, Fellow, and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Michael Chabon delivered his inspiring remarks about the power and effect of art before Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, Thelma Golden, took the stage to speak about Mr. Gaines's work and his indelible influence on the art world. The ceremony concluded with Gaines's heartfelt acceptance of the 60th Edward MacDowell Medal.
Charles Gaines joins an array of artists across disciplines that include Leonard Bernstein, John Updike, David Lynch, Georgia O'Keeffe, I.M. Pei, Merce Cunningham, Louise Nevelson, Joan Didion, Isamu Noguchi, Sonny Rollins, and Toni Morrison. For a full list of past Medal recipients, click the “History of Medal Day” button below!
View video and images of the celebration below. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020's Medalist Rosanne Cash will accept the 61st Edward MacDowell Medal in music composition on Sunday, August 8th, 2021!
To learn more about this event or to become a sponsor to keep Medal Day free and open to the public, please contact Brett Evan Solomon or call 212.535.9690.
