Guild Hall Lifetime Achievement Awards Given

East End artists Laurie Anderson, Bruce Weber, Jon Robin Baitz and Dina Merrill were honored during the Guild Hall Academy of the Arts Lifetime Achievement Awards, held at the St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan, on Monday night, March 5.

The annual event was hosted by Master of Ceremonies Marshall Brickman, a 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award winner for Literary Arts. Mr. Brickman— who wrote Broadway’s “Jersey Boys” and co-wrote “Sleeper” and “Annie Hall” with Woody Allen—began the awards ceremony with some lighthearted banter about being a Guild Hall award recipient.

“They should name it the Guild Hall Lifetime Achievement Award, So Far,” he joked, adding that he hoped that the award wasn’t a hint that the recipient was too old to do anything but “go upstairs and play with the cat.”

Ms. Anderson, a writer, director, visual artist and vocalist who received the award for Performing Arts, was introduced by her husband, Lou Reed.

“She is someone who never sleeps,” Mr. Reed said of his wife. “I don’t think the world can honor her enough for the magnificent things she’s done since day one.”

The Springs resident credited East End inspiration in her acceptance speech.

“We love the trees, and the water and the birds in Springs,” she said. “And there are so many types of creative people; it’s like discovering a whole new world.”

Model China Machado introduced Mr. Weber, the Visual Arts honoree.

“Sometimes in his photographs, you can even smell the skin,” she said.

Before taking the stage, a video montage of Mr. Weber’s photographs and films played.

“I feel like a newborn baby right now receiving this award,” he said. “Obviously not in age but in the achievements of the past recipients before me.” He then went on to wax poetically about the East End, particularly Guild Hall. “My heart still jumps for joy every time I turn my truck off Montauk Highway and onto Main Street of East Hampton,” he said.

Ms. Merrill’s husband, Ted Hartley, gave an emotional tribute to his wife—an actress, producer and businesswoman who received the Special Award for Leadership and Philanthropic Endeavors.

“The grace, the charm, someone who has everything and is willing to give more. If there were American royalty, it would be her,” he said. “She is my lifetime achievement award.”

Ms. Merrill was also the given an introduction via a video montage and taped message by the actor Michael Douglas, who called her “an icon for beauty, class and charm.”

Her acceptance speech was short but powerful.

“From the time I was 5 years old, I wanted to be an actress,” Ms. Merrill said simply. “Thank you Guild Hall, thank you friends, for this wonderful, special achievement award.”

Artist Eric Fischl introduced Mr. Baitz, who received the award for Literary Arts.

“I’ve known Robbie for 20 years, more importantly I’ve known his work and been inspired by his work for 20 years,” he said of his friend, whom he called a national treasure. “If the people in my paintings could talk, I’d want them to have Robbie’s words to speak.”

“That was the nicest thing anyone has said about anyone ever,” Mr. Baitz replied.

During his acceptance speech, the playwright of “Other Desert Cities,” now on Broadway, and executive producer of the television show “Brothers & Sisters,” said that the East End not only inspires him, it has given him his happiest days. “I’ve done the most work and the best work of my life on the East End ... I’m very grateful to be acknowledged as part of this family.”