05/29/2026
The McKim Gala at the American Academy in Rome is one of those rare evenings where artists, scholars, scientists, writers, and patrons gather under the same roof in celebration of curiosity, creativity, and human achievement.
This year, the Academy honored Ludovico Einaudi with the McKim Medal Laureate. He serenaded us at the piano with a piece that felt like the last bow of a beautifully tragic ballet.
I’ve attended for I think the past three years, but this year felt different. I arrived alone and, if I’m honest, a little nervous.
My friend was Chair of the evening, and supporting her felt more important than any hesitation.
A good reminder that growth often looks less like confidence and more like simply showing up.
I left inspired by the conversations, the people, and with the belief that the arts help us better understand ourselves—and one another