The Hermitage Artist Retreat’s 13th annual Hermitage Greenfield Prize celebration is just around the corner (April 8–12), and this year’s festivities include more events than ever before, featuring a combination of live and virtual programs. The annual Prize Dinner, this year presented outside at the Ringling Museum, is now sold out. However, it is not too late to join the festivities.

For the first time ever, the Hermitage is offering a special Virtual Celebration, honoring 2021 winner Aleshea Harris and celebrating the impact of the Hermitage Greenfield Prize.

“We felt it was important this year to offer both live and virtual opportunities to participate in this year’s celebration,” notes Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg. “Knowing the live dinner would have a limited capacity to accommodate safe social distancing, we also wanted to create a unique virtual experience—something designed specifically for supporters joining us online. Amidst an exciting lineup of live events and virtual premieres, this Virtual Celebration is going to be quite memorable, as it not only recognizes Aleshea Harris but also highlights past winners and the impact of the Hermitage Greenfield Prize.”

This national recognition, rotating annually between theater, music, and visual art, includes a Hermitage residency and a $30,000 commission to create new work. Past recipients have included Jennifer Packer (2020, Visual Art), Helga Davis (2019, Music), Martyna Majok (2018, Theater), David Burnett (2017, Photography), Coco Fusco (2016, Visual Art), Bobby Previte (2015, Music), Nilo Cruz (2014, Theater), Trenton Doyle Hancock (2013, Visual Art), Vijay Iyer (2012, Music), John Guare (2011, Theater), Sanford Biggers (2010, Visual Art), Craig Lucas (2009, Theater), and Eve Beglarian (2009, Music).

Here’s a closer look at the lineup of Hermitage Greenfield Prize celebration events:

Thu, April 8, 7 p.m. (VIRTUAL Event): A Virtual First Look at “Ocean Body,” the Prize-Commissioned Work by 2019 Prize Winner Helga Davis

Presented in partnership with EnsembleNew SRQ and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Sat, April 10, 4 p.m. (VIRTUAL Event): “Amplifying Voices in Theater”: A Virtual Panel Discussion with 2021 Hermitage Greenfield Prize Jurors

Featuring Mandy Greenfield (no relation to the Greenfield Foundation or the namesake of the prize), artistic director of Williamstown Theater Festival; Nataki Garrett, artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival; and Robert O’Hara, an award-winning director and playwright and 2020 Tony Award nominee for Best Director (Slave Play).
Moderated by Hermitage Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg

Sat, April 10, 6 p.m. (LIVE at the Hermitage): An Artist Talk with 2021 Hermitage Greenfield Prize Winner Aleshea Harris

Playwright and theater artist Aleshea Harris is the author of What to Send Up When It Goes Down and Is God Is (OBIE Award, Relentless Award, Helen Merrill Playwriting Award). This event will be presented live at the Hermitage Beach (6660 Manasota Key Road, Englewood) and will also be available via livestream.

Sun, April 11 (LIVE in Sarasota), Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner @ The Ringling Museum—SOLD OUT!

Sun, April 11 (VIRTUAL Event), available starting at 7 p.m: A Virtual Celebration of the Hermitage Greenfield Prize

This special video presentation is a tribute to Hermitage Greenfield Prize winners, past and present, including the 2021 recipient Aleshea Harris.
Viewing access to the virtual celebration is available starting at $50. Access should be purchased before April 11; viewing access for registrants available through April 25. (Please note: this video presentation features its own unique content; this is not a livestream of the Prize Dinner.)

Mon, April 12, 7 p.m (VIRTUAL Event): A Virtual Sneak Preview of the Prize-Commissioned New Play by 2018 Winner Martyna Majok

A “sneak peek” of an excerpt from Martyna Majok’s Hermitage Greenfield Prize–commissioned play. Majok is the winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play Cost of Living.
Presented in Partnership with Asolo Repertory Theatre

For details about these events and information on how to register, visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

With the exception of the Virtual Celebration on April 11 (starting at $50) and the sold-out Prize Dinner, all other Hermitage Greenfield Prize events are free to members of the community ($5/person registration fee).

The Hermitage Greenfield Prize Celebration is made possible with generous support from the Greenfield Foundation. Additional sponsorship provided by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.