Judy Collins
The Annette and Jack Friedland Memorial Lecture
Judy Collins has long inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and a firm commitment to social activism. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and the steely determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Five decades later, her presence shines brightly, as new generations bask in the glow of her iconic 55-album body of work.
Judy Collins’ stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” from her landmark 1967 album Wildflowers has entered the Grammy Hall of Fame. Her dreamy version of “Send in the Clowns,” a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical A Little Night Music, won “Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy Awards. She has garnered several top-ten hits and gold- and platinum-selling albums. Recently, contemporary and classic artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, and Leonard Cohen honored her legacy with the album Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins.
Judy Collins’ 55th album, Spellbound, released in February 2022, finds her enjoying an artistic renaissance. It features 12 folk songs, and a bonus track of her evergreen, “The Blizzard.” She released her first book of poetry in March 2025 – Sometimes It’s Heaven, a collection that captures the ethereal and inspiring nature of her artistry.
The Annette and Jack Friedland Memorial Lecture
Annette and Jack Friedland were long-time members of The Society of the Four Arts. They met in 1947 and married in June 1948. Jack was the owner and president of the former Food Fair supermarket chain. The couple were frequent guests at galas and events in Philadelphia, New York, and Florida. In addition to The Four Arts, the Friedlands were supporters of the Norton Museum of Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Museum of the American Revolution. Annette was a trustee of the Four Arts and assiduous participant in Four Arts programs.