Millions Raised For Pollock-Krasner House Endowment
Actor-writer-director and four-time Academy Award nominee Ed Harris, who starred in the Oscar-winning biopic Pollock, and The Pollock-Krasner Foundation, represented by its chairman and CEO Charles C. Bergman, were honored for their contributions to the legacy of pioneering modern artists Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner at the 13th annual Stars of Stony Brook Gala on April 25 at New York's Chelsea Piers. The benefit raised $3.657 million for student scholarships and the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center Endowment Campaign.

Stony Brook Foundation chair Richard Gelfond announced that the Pollock-Krasner Foundation's $1 million matching gift challenge has been met through the Gala, establishing the endowment that assures the House and Study Center's future as a monument to two of America's foremost modern artists and one of Stony Brook University's important assets.

In addition, Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley, Jr. announced the receipt of a $1.5 million gift from the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust to endow the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center directorship. This gift will be matched by the James and Marilyn Simons Fund to support an endowed professorship for the study of Abstract Expressionism in Stony Brook's Art Department.

A red carpet, decorated à la Pollock by members of the advisory committee, welcomed guests to the Stars of Stony Brook Gala at Pier Sixty.

Members of the Pollock-Krasner House Advisory Committee and other guests joined Ed Harris and Charles Bergman for a group photograph. Left to right: James Trezza, Helen A. Harrison, Besty Miller, Ellen Sosnow, Samuel L. Stanley, Jr., Sandy Perlbinder, Ed Harris, Peggy Bonapace Gelfond, Rich Gelfond, Ellen Kern, Advisory Committee chair Bobbi Coller, Diane Brown. Kneeling beside Charles Bergman is Jackson Pollock's nephew Jonathan.

Peggy Gelfond, in a custom- made "action painting" dress, chats with Jonathan Pollock. Photo credit: Roy Nicholson

Advisory committee chair Bobbi Coller (second from left) with committee member Diane Brown, Assistant VP for Advancement Deborah Lowen-Klein, gallerist Betsy Wittenborn Miller, and committee member Ellen Sosnow.

 

Call for Entries: Herskovic Essay Prize 2012
Entries are now being accepted for the Drs. Thomas and Marika Herskovic Prize, a $1,000 award that recognizes outstanding scholarship by a graduate student on a topic related to Abstract Expressionism. All entries must be postmarked by July 2, 2012. For details and submission instructions, click here »