MacDowell Downtown

Artists share their work at the Historical Society

In keeping with The MacDowell Colony's long commitment to community outreach, a new program was introduced to Peterborough in September 2002. The program, MacDowell Downtown, complements the Colony's activities in the local schools by serving art lovers too old to attend ConVal.

MacDowell Downtown, which is held on the first Thursday of every month at 7:30 pm in Bass Hall, has recently featured an exciting array of writers, artists, filmmakers, and composers, all of whom have shared their time and talents with the Peterborough community.

In September, MacDowell kicked off its program with photographer David Coggins, who mounted a show about the private lives of politicians. October saw Mary-Beth Hughes ending her recent reading tour of her first novel, Wavemaker II, in Peterborough. In November, Jennie Livingston, the director behind the Sundance-winner Paris Is Burning, screened an excerpt of her new film Who's the Top?. And, for the holidays, noted composer Alvin Singleton collaborated with local students to present his string piece Be Natural to a record audience.

     The audience turnout was even better for January's showing of Lady in the Wings, the Hallmark Hall of Fame original film about the genesis of The MacDowell Colony. And in February, Downtown featured the work of memoirist Roya Hakakian, an Iranian woman who has lived through her country's two revolutions.

The Peterborough community can expect more of the same stimulating fare from now until June, when Downtown goes on hiatus until September to make room for the Colony's standard summer offerings.

Those who wish a preview of coming attractions may read "At MacDowell," the monthly column about MacDowell appearing the last week of every month in the Monadnock Ledger.  Or, for speedier notice, anyone may join our mailing list by writing to info@macdowellcolony.org, calling 924.3886, or signing up at the Downtown events themselves.

We are particularly appreciative to the Historical Society for providing the space for our newest program and look forward to seeing you all "downtown!"

                   - Brendan Tapley, Communications Manager, MacDowell Colony

March 2003

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