#HASHTAG: BETH BOYD

Asked to serve as Ragdale’s President of the Board of Trustees in the midst of a pandemic and a nationwide reckoning with racism following George Floyd’s murder, BETH BOYD saw an opportunity to help the nonprofit serve its artists better and smarter in a changing world. Indeed, over the past two years Ragdale has built a new state-of-the-art studio for dance and music, acquired the property to the north that was part of the original estate, has made the campus accessible to all, and is in the process of renovating its historic Arts and Crafts garden as well as doubling the size of the kitchen garden that makes for farm-to-table food service for its artists.

While many things have evolved, Ragdale’s signature event, Novel Affair, remains! This unique, creative event (held last weekend) brings together eight to 12 celebrated artists, typically writers, for a cocktail party at Shoreacres and dinner event at Ragdale that is beloved by supporters and the artists alike. The artists are excited to meet each other and stay together for the weekend at the Ragdale campus, and the supporters look forward to hearing about their new work and their creative process.

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

Right now, I am reading Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark, exploring themes of friendship, class, and the choices women make around their professional lives. This book made it to the top of my stack because a close friend said she couldn’t bear to read another novel immediately after finishing it—she needed to hold on to it for a while like a precious thing. Next up is Geraldine Brooks’ Horse. So many reasons; Brooks is my kind of writer, I grew up riding, and tracing provenance is a fascinating vehicle for storytelling. Can’t wait.

#ON MY MOBILE

Well, is this where the true colors come out? As an interior designer with an active practice, an avid cyclist, and a significant engagement in the arts, I follow Jimmy Chin, the outdoor adventurer and documentarian; architects Wheeler Kearns Architects, Jeanne Gang, and others; lighting designer Lucy Slivinski; USA Cycling; several independent visual artists; NYT Cooking; and who doesn’t get sucked into the cat/dog posts at the end of the night from time to time?

#IN MY EARBUDS

My podcasts go-tos are Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History— it’s painless and incredibly well researched and delivered—and Sam Harris’ Making Sense. Sam’s conversations on consciousness, free will, and consequences are provocative and relatable. I’ve been listening to a lot of music by The 1975, an edgy band from Manchester, England, whose masterful lyrics reflect what’s in the hearts and minds of the Millennial generation. Also, often hard to keep your feet still while listening.