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More than a Novel Affair
2024: Recap
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CLICK HERE TO ACCESS PHOTO ALBUM →
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On the nights of April 26th and 27th, Ragdale raised over $140,000 in support of its mission from its annual event, More than a Novel Affair. We were joined by 270 supporters and nine celebrated writers: Angie Kim, Jimin Han, Paul Harding, Tania James, Margot Livesey, Susan Orlean, Deesha Philyaw, Vauhini Vara, and Rita Woods. Each of these writers spoke about their work and the creative process during a reception on Friday at Shoreacres, and were later joined by Cristina Henríquez, Alex Kotlowitz and Luis Alberto Urrea for a special seated dinner on Saturday night at Ragdale.
A special thanks to Ragdale’s Board of Trustees, authors, and our More than a Novel 2024 co-curators, Rebecca Makkai, Ignatius Valentine Aloysius and Lan Samantha Chang, for making these events a resounding success. We also offer our sincere appreciation to Life Trustee, Phoebe Turner and her husband, Tad, for their generous support hosting the Friday night reception and to program emcee, Peter Sagal, host of NPR’s news quiz Wait Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me!, whose shining charisma brought Friday night’s program to life.
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CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL SPECIAL THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS →
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Artist in Residence Spotlight
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ROBINSON MORENO
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Robinson Moreno is a multidisciplinary artist and Ragdale Youth Engagement Fellow based in Caracas, Venezuela. Moreno was in residence at Ragdale during session 4 (April 29-May 17) and uses street art, engraving, and moving images as tools for social change. His work stems from his Venezuelan-Colombian roots and began with interventions of leaflets and postings on the streets of Caracas and Bogota featuring images rooted in his working-class upbringing. His current work focuses on Venezuelan indigenous mythology and connections to his ancestors. To learn more about Moreno’s multidisciplinary practice, click here.
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Themed Residency Spotlight
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DIVERSITY OF BIRDS
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When Ragdale’s beloved elm succumbed to Dutch Elm Diseases in 2020, trustee Margot McMahon saw an opportunity to transform the tree into a dynamic sculpture. Following a call for proposals in collaboration with Chicago Sculpture International (CSI), a group of seven artists were selected to be in residence at Ragdale from May 20-June 7: Jyl Bonaguro, Nicole Beck, Fredy Hauman Mallqui, Mia Capodilupo, Julia Sulmasy, Anthony Heinz May and visual storyteller Laurie Irwin—with Margot McMahon serving as project lead.
Utilizing a variety of sculptural approaches, the Ragdale tree carving incorporates the visual language of each of the sculptors. The resulting work is a conglomeration of different styles, techniques, and forms. Boasting giant wings, barn-owl busts, and even peep holes cradling found objects, The Diversity of Birds has transformed the historic Elm while also retaining its role as an important part of the ecosystem at Ragdale. The tree will continue to feed the soil, aerate the ground, and serve as a habitat for countless animals, insects, and birds. More information on themed residences can be found on our website here.
This project was made possible through the generous support of Louisa and Nelson Levy as part of Ragdale NEXT Capital Campaign and is dedicated in honor of their 50th anniversary. To learn more about other unique naming opportunities please contact Mary Beth Sova at [email protected] or 847.234.1063 x. 24.
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Current Artists in
Residence for Session 3
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Ragdale awards over 150 competitive residencies annually, making us one of the largest creative communities in the United States. We are thrilled to welcome our next group of residents to campus during session 5 (June 17-July 5):
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MARIA T. ALLOCCO
Nonfiction & Poetry; Oakland, CA
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FRANCISCO ARAGÓN
Poetry & Nonfiction; Mililani, HI
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LYDI CONKLIN
Fiction & Graphic Novel; Nashville, TN
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MARGOT KAHN
Poetry; Tacoma, WA
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GINGER KREBS
Dance & Interdisciplinary Art; Chicago, IL
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HEIDI KUMAO
Moving Image & Fiber Art;
Ann Arbor, MI
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SIMONE MUENCH
Poetry; Chicago, IL
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NAMI MUN
Fiction and Nonfiction;
Chicago, IL
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JP SOLHEIM
Fiction; Oak Park, IL
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KRISTINA TEN
Fiction; Rochester, NY
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PREETI VANGANI
Fiction & Poetry;
San Francisco, CA
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SARAH WANG
Fiction (Craig H. Neilsen Fellow); Bronx, NY
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CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR PREVIOUS ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE →
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New AI Residency Opportunity at Ragdale
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RAGDALE IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE HUMAN RESIDENCY FELLOWSHIP, AN EXCITING NEW PROJECT WITH LAKE FOREST COLLEGE MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MELLON FOUNDATION.
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This multi-year collaboration invites artists from diverse disciplines to explore the intersection of the humanities, artificial intelligence, and social justice. Ragdale encourages applications from individuals whose work addresses questions about the impact of bias on AI outputs, the influence of dominant historical narratives on current AI technologies, and the ethical considerations for integrating AI into daily life. Emerging, midcareer, and established writers, dancers, musicians, composers, and visual artists are encouraged to apply.
Selected artists will spend two blocks of time at Ragdale; an initial six-day themed residency, and an individual 18-day residency scheduled within the two years of the project. The fellowship includes a $1,000 stipend for the initial themed residency and a $3,000 stipend for the individual residency, along with travel support. Awardees will also be asked to participate in programs such as panel talks, visiting artist lectures, or workshops at Lake Forest College and will have their work featured as part of a culminating AI symposium in 2027.
The HUMAN residency at Ragdale is part of the Lake Forest College’s $1.2 million grant from the Mellon Foundation for HUMAN: Humanities Understanding of the Machine-Assisted Nexus, led by Professor of English and Executive Director of the Krebs Center for the Humanities, Davis Schneiderman.
The application deadline for the HUMAN residency at Ragdale is July 31. Click here for full details.
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Ragdale Updates
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In April we welcomed our new Executive Director Paul Sacaridiz to Ragdale. Following an extensive national search, Sacaridiz brings 25 years of experience to Ragdale, with a background that includes art making, teaching, administration, and leadership in higher education and the nonprofit sector.
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The expansion of Ragdale’s historic Barnhouse—including major renovations to the kitchen, dining room, salon, resident housing and expanded staff offices—funded by the Ragdale NEXT Capital Campaign, is expected to be completed in late August. Special thanks to the lead donors and underwriters Phyllis Cretors and Vicki Medvec for their transformational gifts and to everyone who helped make this campaign a resounding success. An open house celebration featuring tours and performances will be held in the Fall—with a save the date being sent in late July.
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Ragdale has been awarded a three year, Save America’s Treasures matching grant by the National Park Service for the restoration of Ragdale’s Arts and Crafts Garden. We are honored to be recognized as a national treasure and to preserve America’s rich cultural heritage and will be sharing more information on this project in the coming months.
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Upcoming Events
& Deadlines
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2025 RESIDENCIES APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 30
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2025 HUMAN RESIDENCY APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 31
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HIGH SCHOOL ARTS WEEK APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 30
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PUBLIC TOURS
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Tours provide a special opportunity to see the historic Ragdale House and gardens and to get a behind-the-scenes view of what makes Ragdale a destination for artists. Upcoming tours will take place on the following Saturday’s: July 13th, August 10th, and September 21st. Buy your tickets here or click to learn more about tours and facility rentals.
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THEMED RESIDENCIES AND CREATIVE SABBATICALS
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Residences and Sabbaticals are providing artists of all kinds as well as writing groups, arts administrators, and advocates with the time and space to work on projects, hold workshops, or host conferences. Themed Residencies and Creative Sabbaticals are offered on a three-tiered pricing system and are scheduled during non-residency sessions.
Click here for more information.
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SAVE THE DATE: READ WITH RAGDALE
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On Tuesday October 22 from 7-9 PM join us for a conversation with Miles Harvey, winner of the 2023 Journal Non/Fiction Prize for his short story collection The Registry of Forgotten Objects. Led by Ragdale Trustee Ann Walters, this free event begins with a traditional book club discussion and is followed by the opportunity to meet the author in person. Sign up here.
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Cicadas Are Here
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Don’t worry—Ragdale prepared for the invasion.
Our orchard trees are wrapped and protected!
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Support Ragdale
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WHERE CREATIVITY MEETS HISTORY
AND BE A PART OF OUR LEGACY.
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Join us in fostering the environment where creativity, innovation and inspiration flourish. Every contribution helps. Donate below contact Mary Beth Sova for more ways to make a difference at [email protected] or 847.234.1063 x. 24.
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The Ragdale Foundation
1260 North Green Bay Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
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