Bellagio Bulletin /

Bellagio Postcards

When someone stays at the Bellagio Center we ask them to write a postcard to their future selves. We post it to them six months later as a reminder of the ideas they got excited by and the collaborations they participated in. Have a look through some of the postcards.

Latest Postcards

  • From Colin Coleman to future Colin Coleman.
  • Dear Colin, well done for getting so far. Yes, it is a huge project, but keep up the writing. You have nearly broken the back of it. It is an important work. Now, finish it! Write for blocks of time and it will be done. My best and good luck. Colin Coleman
  • From Doug Arent to future Doug Arent.
  • Thankful for time to think, create, slow down. Appreciation of other, attention to detail and care. Take deep breaths, reflect, move forward humbly, gratefully.

September 2022

  • mountains and trees with a view of the ocean.
    From David Sklansky to future David Sklansky.
  • Dear Future David, I hope you have been working to pay back some of the great good fortune that let you spend 4 weeks here. Remember the examples set by the inspiring people you meet here, and keep in mind the way you all pursued each other and argued with each other but also sustained and encouraged each other, stay in touch with the friends you made here, incorporate their concerns and insights into your tracking and writing, and stay focused on what they taught you about making your work and your career meaningful. Your Past Self.
  • So, even though it has been a few months, I think about my time here almost every day - how it energized my thinking and set me on creative paths. What more could I ask! Remember to understand the value of contemplation and self-care. The magic remains...
    From Julie Fairman to future Julie Fairman.
  • So, even though it has been a few months, I think about my time here almost every day - how it energized my thinking and set me on creative paths. What more could I ask! Remember to understand the value of contemplation and self-care. The magic remains...
  • I hope you remember what it felt like to exist here. Of course, discrete moments and visions, the feelings of the lake, choco hazelnut desserts, talks on religion and poetry. But more importantly, the broader sense that beauty can inspire. That life is short but careers are long and varied. Curiosity and humility are related. That a life of ideas can be not only rewarding, but impactful. I hope the WhatsApp group has remained active and if not, this prompts you to revive it!! With gratitude to those people, this place, and to all the inevitable ways they've helped you grow these past six months.
    From Claire Leibowicz to future Claire Leibowicz.
  • I hope you remember what it felt like to exist here. Of course, discrete moments and visions, the feelings of the lake, choco hazelnut desserts, talks on religion and poetry. But more importantly, the broader sense that beauty can inspire. That life is short but careers are long and varied. Curiosity and humility are related. That a life of ideas can be not only rewarding, but impactful. I hope the WhatsApp group has remained active and if not, this prompts you to revive it!! With gratitude to those people, this place, and to all the inevitable ways they've helped you grow these past six months.

May 2022

  • The Bellagio beckons again - the magic of the place, the spirit of camaraderie, the prospect of influencing the future for the good of humanity for generations to come. Now, you are not only a fulfilled person making waves in your field, for your community and your people, your country but also the complete family person who is your wife’s reliable life partner and your kids’ role model.
    From Ronald Law to future Ronald Law.
  • The Bellagio beckons again - the magic of the place, the spirit of camaraderie, the prospect of influencing the future for the good of humanity for generations to come. Now, you are not only a fulfilled person making waves in your field, for your community and your people, your country but also the complete family person who is your wife’s reliable life partner and your kids’ role model.
  • Do something useful each day before checking messages. Find places - indoor and outdoor - to sit and reflect. Carve out time every day to do work that is important to you. Spend more time with creative people - writers, musicians etc. When out walking, don’t rush to jam in earbuds, think through a problem or let your mind wander.
    From Stephen Rogerson to future Stephen Rogerson.
  • Do something useful each day before checking messages. Find places - indoor and outdoor - to sit and reflect. Carve out time every day to do work that is important to you. Spend more time with creative people - writers, musicians etc. When out walking, don’t rush to jam in earbuds, think through a problem or let your mind wander.
  • Things to never forget: The capacity for joy on Shulea’s face on pasta night. To avoid any doctor you meet named Elanor. The hikes on Lake Como are always steeper than you think and the writing always takes longer than you expect. Both are Okay.
    From Gregory Mitchell to future Gregory Mitchell.
  • Things to never forget: The capacity for joy on Shulea’s face on pasta night. To avoid any doctor you meet named Elanor. The hikes on Lake Como are always steeper than you think and the writing always takes longer than you expect. Both are Okay.
  • Jacob, It is I. You from the past. Are we the same person? Some ways - though we change maybe for the good. Remember the greenhouse, the beaches, the cool air, the impossible mornings? I hope so. Jacob.
    From Jacob Harold to future Jacob Harold.
  • Jacob, It is I. You from the past. Are we the same person? Some ways - though we change maybe for the good. Remember the greenhouse, the beaches, the cool air, the impossible mornings? I hope so. Jacob.
  • Dear Future Sam. By now the EF Bellagio residency will be a vivid but distant memory. This is a prompt to take a minute to reflect. Things to remember are the views in every direction, the fellow residents, the incredible impeccable food, our wonderful caretakers - the staff, the thinking and writing. Hopefully, my project will, by now, be completed and submitted for review. I hope it is worthy of this great gift from the E F Bellagio experience. Sam 11/12/21
    From Sam Odom to future Sam Odom.
  • Dear Future Sam. By now the EF Bellagio residency will be a vivid but distant memory. This is a prompt to take a minute to reflect. Things to remember are the views in every direction, the fellow residents, the incredible impeccable food, our wonderful caretakers - the staff, the thinking and writing. Hopefully, my project will, by now, be completed and submitted for review. I hope it is worthy of this great gift from the E F Bellagio experience. Sam 11/12/21

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Welcome to the current edition of the Bellagio Bulletin! At The Rockefeller Foundation, our mission is to make opportunity universal and sustainable. Facing crises of climate, inequality, democracy, and health, humanity has never needed institutions more. This newsletter highlights efforts to build innovative institutions that are fit for purpose in today’s world – and the […]

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