Harvestworks Sustaining Circle is a series of special fundraising events held twice each year in support of Harvestworks’ mission. Guests may purchase tickets for individual events, each offering an intimate evening of new and in-progress work by established and emerging artists from the Harvestworks community. Hosted at unique venues, these gatherings feature artist presentations, engaging conversations, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and an opportunity to experience experimental art before it reaches a wider audience. Every ticket directly supports Harvestworks’ programs, helping artists working at the intersection of art and technology create ambitious new work while strengthening a vibrant community of artists, supporters, and cultural leaders.
Past Sustaining Circle Events
The May 2023 Harvestworks Sustaining Circle Event
In May 2023, the event featured presentations by Toni Dove, an acclaimed pioneer of interactive cinema, and Mari Kimura, a violinist and composer renowned for her innovative approach to interactive computer music and extended instrumental techniques. The evening highlighted their groundbreaking contributions to multimedia performance and experimental sound, celebrating their roles as influential figures in the evolving dialogue between technology, music, and visual art.
The December 2023 Harvestworks Sustaining Circle event
In December 2023, the Harvestworks Sustaining Circle event featured Victoria Vesna, an interdisciplinary media artist known for her innovative collaborations at the intersection of art, science, and technology. Her work often engages with collective consciousness and the human relationship to complex scientific concepts. Also presenting was Matthew Ostrowski, a composer, performer, and installation artist recognized for his experimental approaches to electronic sound, interactivity, and immersive audiovisual environments. The evening celebrated their contributions to expanding the boundaries between artistic expression and technological exploration.
The May 2024 Harvestworks Sustaining Circle event
In May 2024, the Harvestworks Sustaining Circle event featured Henry Threadgill, a celebrated composer and saxophonist widely recognized for his innovative contributions to avant-garde jazz and contemporary music. Threadgill’s groundbreaking compositions challenge traditional structures, exploring new sonic territories and expressive possibilities. Also presenting were Lauren Petty and Shaun Irons, interdisciplinary artists whose collaborative multimedia practice merges film, performance, installation, and technology to create immersive and visually arresting experiences. The evening honored these artists for their visionary work and commitment to redefining the intersections of sound, visual media, and performance.
The December 2024 Harvestworks Sustaining Circle Event
In December 2024, the Sustaining Circle event featured Zeena Parkins, a New York-based electro-acoustic composer and improviser, known as a pioneer of contemporary harp practices. The evening honored Parkins as a special guest, celebrating her contributions to experimental music. Also presenting was Eva Davidova, an interdisciplinary artist whose new media work intertwined influences from ancient mythology and practices with contemporary technology and the pressing realities of ecological catastrophe.
The April 2025 Harvestworks Sustaining Circle Event
Harvestworks welcomed members of our Sustaining Circle for an evening celebrating experimental art, music, and technology. We were honored to present Janene Higgins and Elliott Sharp as they performed excerpts from their opera collaborations and discussed their new Harvestworks residency project, *Substance: The Infinite Spinoza*. We also showcased *BodyMouth*, a performance instrument created by playwright and artist Kat Mustatea, exploring language, embodiment, and digital presence. The gathering was part of our ongoing effort to raise awareness and support for the critical initiatives that sustain Harvestworks as a platform for experimental art and innovation. The evening reflected our mission to rebuild, grow, and foster creative experimentation at the intersection of art and technology.
The December 2025 Harvestworks Sustaining Circle Event
Harvestworks held a Sustaining Circle honoring Joan La Barbara and Seth Cluett for winter 2025. Our special guest, Joan La Barbara, was a New York–based composer and performer renowned for pioneering extended vocal techniques and shaping the field of contemporary experimental music. Also presenting was Seth Cluett, an artist and composer whose work explores the territory between the senses. This special event supported Harvestworks’ major initiatives and ongoing commitment to artists working at the intersection of art and technology. This was an opportunity to experience the artistry, celebrate our community, and learn what’s next for our incredible organization.
The April 2025 Harvestworks Sustaining Circle Event
Harvestworks hosted a Sustaining Circle evening at ISSUE Project Room honoring Carol Parkinson and celebrating her 37 years of leadership as Executive Director. The evening brought together supporters, artists, and community members to celebrate Carol’s legacy while raising support for Harvestworks’ future initiatives and 50th anniversary programming. Highlights included performances by Henry Threadgill and Lori Napoleon (Antenes), followed by Screen Play by Christian Marclay, realized as a live video score performed by Elliott Sharp with Melvin Gibbs, Jim Thirlwell, Kalun Leung, and Judith Insell. The evening concluded with a vinyl DJ set by Yo Vinyl Richie featuring selections of Carol Parkinson’s favorite records. The event served as both a tribute to Carol Parkinson’s lasting impact and the launch of Harvestworks’ Sustaining Circle and 50th anniversary celebration series.