We Bet You Didn't Know This Small Town In New Hampshire Was Home To The Oldest Artists' Retreat In America
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Ken MacGray
Author
The town of Peterborough, New Hampshire is well-known for being a prosperous mill town in the 19th century. It’s also home to one of the first public libraries in the nation. But Peterborough is also where some of the most famous artists in history have worked.
MacDowell in Peterborough, New Hampshire is the oldest artist residency program in the United States. It was founded in 1906 by composer Edward MacDowell and pianist Marian MacDowell. The two wished to give back to other artists the same creative experiences that helped them thrive.
The MacDowells worked from their farm in Peterborough that they purchased in 1896. The summers were spent creating amongst the peaceful surroundings. Although Edward passed away only two years after the program began, it grew and flourished under Marian's leadership until her death in 1956.
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Today, there are 31 studios where artists of all disciplines can lose themselves in their creativity. The studios are assigned to each individual artist's project description and the best available space to support's the artist's vision.
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About 300 artists spanning seven separate disciplines are awarded Fellowships to MacDowell each year. The only criteria in artistic excellence in their chosen discipline. All artists are encouraged to apply in order to build the broadest community possible.
MacDowell's scenic location in Peterborough within sight of Mt. Monadnock is sure to be an inspiration for attending artists. Poets, writers, photographers, and painters have been visiting southern New Hampshire's grandest mountain since the 19th century.
Since its inception, many greats of the art world have taken up residence at MacDowell, such as Composer Leonard Bernstein. Other well-known artists who have studied here include novelist Spalding Gray, writer Willa Cather, and author Alice Sebold.
To learn more about MacDowell and to apply for a Fellowship, visit their website. The public is welcome to visit with artists with advance notice. The Peterborough Town Library also houses a permanent collection of works by MacDowell Fellows.
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Featured Addresses
MacDowell Colony, Peterborough, NH 03458, USA