The 16th annual Hermitage Greenfield Prize was held April 14 at Michael's On East, with 300 guests in attendance.
The 2024 winner of the jury-selected prize recipient in the theater discipline, Brooklyn-based playwright and theater artist Deepa Purohit said she was deeply grateful for the generous Hermitage Greenfield Prize. The award money and residency provide space, time and resources necessary for her to complete new work, which will premiere in Sarasota in spring 2026.
"Deepa impressed this year's jury with her inspiring vision and thought-provoking ideas. Her work invites us to tackle complex questions and consider new perspectives, while also encouraging us to open our minds through innovative storytelling. Deepa's dedication to her craft and her forward-thinking outlook are reflective of the Hermitage Greenfield Prize mission: to bring into the world works of art that have a significant impact on the broad as well as the artistic culture of our society," said Hermitage Artist Retreat Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg.
The mission of the Hermitage is to inspire and foster the most influential and culturally consequential art and artists of our time, and is the only major arts organization on Florida's Gulf Coast exclusively committed to supporting the development and creation of new works across all artistic disciplines.
Roy Cohen, and board member Ellen Berman with Fred and Bethany Niell
Photo by Janet Combs
Vocalist Kavita Shah is a Hermitage fellow, with Nandita Shenoy, and Hermitage Greenfield Prize recipient Deepa Purohit
Hermitage Artist Retreat Managing Director Stacia Lee and Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg
Photo by Janet Combs
Nina Sedule-Ross is volunteering as a greeter for the Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner Celebration of Theater.
Photo by Janet Combs
Carrie Grubb, Alan Meudt and Dan Pierce enjoy the cocktail hour.
Photo by Janet Combs
Judy Cole, Susan Rawson and Jeannette Paladino
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Travis Ray and Aron Lamerson work the check-in table at Michael's On East.
Photo by Janet Combs
Hermitage Greenfield Prize recipient of 2022 Angélica Negrón with Fellow Patrick Harlin and board President Carole Crosby
Photo by Janet Combs
Flora Major and Fellow Anne Patterson enjoy appetizers served by Elizabeth Panduro.
Photo by Janet Combs
Fellow Nandita Shenoy with Gene Crump
The 2024 Hermitage Greenfield Prize winner playwright Deepa Purohit with Linda Crump
Photo by Janet Combs
Sam and Dona Scott with Dennis Rees and Felice Schulaner
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Stephanie and Gene Jones
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Kari-Jo Koshes, Nan Morgan and Alyssa Barnsley
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Esther Smith and Commissioner Mark Smith
Nelda Thompson and Maryann Casey
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Beth Wilensky with Dan and Tina Napoli
Chris Caswell and Charles Hines
Helen Morrison with David Green
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Co-chairs Pauline Wamsler and David Sales
Always in fashion are Deborah Blue and George Adley
Gale Siegfried, Dorothy Malachowski, William Hawkes and Beverly Smith
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From Sarasota Orchestra are violinists Sean O'Neil and Paul Reynolds who played classical music during the cocktail reception.
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Paul Critchlow
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Andi Novin with Bill Epstein
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Charles Perret and Robin Radin
Michael's On East server Iva Brode greets Hermitage guests with maple glazed chicken sausage bites on pretzel sticks.
Photo by Janet Combs
Daniel Scull, Maryann Casey and Nelda Thompson
Photo by Janet Combs
Development Director Amy Wallace and Nelda Thompson
