Chilmark Fields Owned and Managed by Vineyard Open Land Foundation
A Community Gathering
Dance at The Yard
African American Heritage Trail of Martha's Vineyard Site
An Event Sponsored by the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging
Creative Living Award
In 1983, the Permanent Endowment was presented with its first gift in the amount of $60,000 from the estate of Ruth J. Bogan establishing the Ruth J. Bogan – Ruth Redding Memorial Fund. This Fund was created to honor Ruth Bogan who, in the words of her friend Ruth Redding, was a “gallant woman who loved beauty, who loved the Vineyard and who believed ‘anyone can do anything.’” In her letter of instruction to the Endowment, Ruth Redding requested that some funds be used to “encourage fine craftsmanship, creativity and ingenuity in many fields through such awards as gifts, prizes and scholarships.” Based on that wish, the Permanent Endowment established the Creative Living Award to recognize members of the Vineyard community who embody the spirit of Ruth Bogan and have contributed significantly to the quality of life on the Island.
For the past twenty eight years, the Creative Living Award has honored those who have worked to “preserve and nourish” the Vineyard and to “help the present inhabitants to realize the value of their treasure.” From artists to farmers and doctors to volunteers, the award has highlighted the accomplishments of individuals and groups who have served the Island community well.
In 2010, the recipients of the Creative Living Award were Ross Gannon and Nat Benjamin, owners of Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway. Through a partnership based on friendship, complimentary talents, a love of the Vineyard and a mutual passion for "messing about on boats," Ross and Nat have earned a reputation for their dedication to the preservation of an honored tradition - the design and construction of classic wooden sailing craft. More than 50 boats have been launched from their shop on the Vineyard Haven waterfront over the past 30 years, each gracing Island waters with their simple beauty and embodying the masterful melding of science and art. In the words of Anne Williamson, the Permanent Endowment's Board Chair, "Ross and Nat are both tremendously gifted. However, perhaps what has mattered most has been their integrity, humility and care for this community. From welcoming apprentices to share their craft to teaming up with Sail Martha's Vineyard to launch the first maritime vocational education program in Massachusetts, Ross and Nat have given of themselves to better this community and have helped all of us hold onto ways of life that caputre the spirit of the Island." On October 14th, the Permanent Endowment presented Ross Gannon and Nat Benjamin with the Creative Living Award at an event held at The Grange Hall in West Tisbury.
This year the evening also included a drawing for guests to win the opportunity to award $1,000 to Island nonprofits This drawing was made possible by the eleven members of the Permanent Endowment Board who donated $1,000 to demonstrate their commitment to fostering philanthropy on the Vineyard. The winner of the drawing was MJ Bruder Munafo, Producer and Artistic Director of the Vineyard Playhouse, who directed the funds to ten Island nonprofits.
Creative Living Award Recipients
1983 Marion Halperin and H. Stanton Lair
1984 Sydna White
1985 E. Gale Huntington
1986 Harold Heeremans and Alison Shaw
1987 Jean L. Silva
1988 Edwin B. Gentle III and Roxanne Jardin
1989 Margaret Love
1990 Margaret Hall and Sara Piazza
1991 Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard in Honor of its Volunteers
1992 Mary Beth Grady and Allison Burger
1993 Cornelia Mendenhall and the Red Stocking Fund
1994 Allen D. Whiting
1995 Fae Kontje
1996 African-American Heritage Trail of Martha’s Vineyard
1997 Peter Boak
1998 John R. Abrams and Debbie Milne
1999 Peggy Pinney Vance
2000 Bill and Kathleen Joyce Costanza
2001 Stan Murphy
2002 David and Rosalee McCullough
2003 Art Buchwald
2004 Gus BenDavid
2005 MJ Bruder Munafo
2006 Russell S. Hoxsie, M.D.
2007 Susan Klein
2008 Clarissa Allen and Mitchell Posin
2009 Helen Lamb and Camp Jabberwocky
2010 Ross Gannon and Nat Benjamin
