2013 was a year of great change and upheaval for me.  At a crossroads in my life, I took the leap of leaving behind various day jobs to become an artist full-time.  The Tanne provided me with the support and belief that I should continue my journey as an artist.

Opening the envelope from Tanne was one of the best moments of my life! The funds made a huge impact on my art practice and financial well-being. I was able to spend a month in New York City making and curating site-specific performances. During that time I created many professional relationships that continue to influence my career. I can’t thank you enough for your support!

I am truly grateful for the Tanne Foundation Award for giving me the financial break that I knew I needed.

I was able to have a little time to reflect and ask some really in depth questions about my role to humanity with art. This financial blessing allowed me to catch my breath for a few moments from the daily hustle of chasing a dollar to pay off debts. I am truly grateful for the award and I have it on my resume with pride!!

Thank you. (attached are some images of my latest works)

the gift of time
the gift of less worry
we need these as artists
as much as we need other things
what being a recipient of the Tanne Award
has given me are these two things: allowed me to buy some time, as it were,
and worry less about daily fiscal needs that sometimes interrupt the flow of art.
but also, the Award has given me a boost of confidence
and most of all, made me feel as if the work matters,
that the quest is worth it, and in times of doubt,
this kind of faith means the world.

I received the Tanne Foundation award when I was a young artist, just out of grad school and eager to make my way. I struggled those first few years, as many creatives do - artistically, financially, separated from the small community that had nurtured me. I am grateful to have had time early on to explore, to fail and most importantly, to feel recognized as a creative worker with potential.

The courage required to live a consciously creative life has never suffered from a lack of challenge. At a time when I was feeling unsure, my spiritual guides conspired to let me know that I was on the right track. Receiving the Tanne award was a blessing that helped me build faith in myself and my artistry.

Congratulations to Tanne on its birthday! My award from the Foundation was welcome financially but even more so as a display of confidence in my work, and encouragement to continue with the often lonely job of being an artist. Few things in life come to us with such generosity and faith. I will always be humbled to be included in the Tanne family.

I have led a creative life for over 50 years now and I committed myself to it, no matter how hard or trying it sometimes was. The work and what it gave me sustained that commitment thru raising a child, personal defeats and successes. When I got the Tanne Award I felt a sense of wholeness. That what we sometimes do in the dark matters and that the sacrifices we all make to participate in the act of creation were being recognized and appreciated. The money was not bad either.  It allowed me to work thru Macbeth, Uncle Vanya (set in New Jersey) and The Caretaker.

Here is a very short poem as a contribution; I’m not sure it exactly fits the prompt, but if it’s good enough, please use it:

A bed of poems
is nice to lie on
in the sunlight.
But at night
I prefer a pillow.

Here is the full cover of Tom Pickard’s The Dark Months of May, and a poem from it. This was one of the books supported by the Tanne Foundation in 2004, for which we remain ever grateful.