Autumn in Spring
About the Event
Each year, on the first Monday in May, the press holds our annual gala, Autumn in Spring. The benefit is designed to bring the philanthropic and literary communities together for an evening of celebration and poetry. Each year, notable Pittsburghers are invited to share their favorite poems and speak about how we all—from business executives to sports figures to civic leaders—have a common love for the language of poetry. Before the reading, guests are invited to an hors-d’oeuvre and cocktail reception.
The support garnered from supporters who attend AIS is essential to Autumn House Press’s sustainability and growth. We are forever grateful to our volunteer event committee who, each year, play a substantial role in making this event a success. We are also thankful for the Duquesne Club Literary Society, and all our donors and sponsors.
For more information about the event or to purchase a ticket, please email us.
2023 Event Recap
On Monday, May 1st, we convened at the Duquesne Club with a wonderful group of supporters, who are dedicated to supporting the arts in Pittsburgh.
Our seventeenth Autumn in Spring highlighted the power of the written word. We celebrated poetry with notable Pittsburghers Kevin Acklin, Joe Edelstein, Kara Holsopple, and Rob Rogers, who each shared some of their favorite literary works, and we ended the evening with a reading from Autumn House author, Sherrie Flick, who shared her story “Pittsburgh Women” and offered kind words about the press, saying that Autumn House is “both professional and nice and that’s a rare combination in the publishing industry.” Robert Mangino served as the event’s MC, leading the evening with warmth and humor and offering a much-deserved tribute to longtime Autumn in Spring Chair and former AHP board member, Anne Burham. In all, it was a memorable evening that reminded all in attendance of the enduring promise of poetry, and we are so thankful for this year’s readers.
On behalf of our staff, board, and planning committee, we are delighted to thank and acknowledge support from our Honorary Chairs, Peggy and Max King, and Honorary Chair Emerita, Lea Hillman Simonds at this year’s Autumn in Spring. In addition, we are thankful for the generous support of our Honorary Co-Chairs, Debby and Dan Booker, Susan and Roy Dorrance, Gail and Phillip Jones, Robert Levin and Kerry Bron, Nancy and Woody Ostrow, and Elaine Wertheim and Betsy Teti. In addition, we thank our corporate donors, AJM Mortgage, INC.; BD&E, a Pittsburgh-based branding firm; and Compass Real Estate. We would also like to express gratitude to the Duquesne Club Literary Society for their continued support.
We so appreciate everyone who contributed and attended.
List of Notable Pittsburghers Who Had Read Over the Years
2022
- Helen Hanna Casey
- Simin and Greg Curtis
- Dan Dupee
- Louise Sturgess
- Robert Mangino
2019
- Christina Cassotis
- Michele Fabrizi
- Dr. Richard Moriarity
- Ozzy Samad
- Bill Strickland
- AHP Poet Cameron Barnett
2018
- Karen Wolk Feinstein
- Ken Gormley
- Ted Pappas
- Joanne Rogers
- Anne Martindale Williams
2017
- Karla Boos
- Julia Erickson
- Bill Flanagan
- Andy Masich
- J.T. Thomas
2016
- Jim Cunningham
- Robert Levin
- Jo Ellen Parker
- Peggy Finnegan
- Mayor Bill Peduto
2015
- Meg Cheever
- Richard Rauh
- Kiya Tomlin
- Alan Stanford
- Anne Burnham
2014
- Carol R. Brown
- Yona Harvey
- Woody Ostrow
- Henry Reese
2013
- Daniel I. Booker
- Judith Davenport
- Stewart O’Nan
- Mary Rawson
2012
- Rabbi Aaron Bisno
- Lynn Cullen
- Patrick Dowd
- Margaret Whitford
2011
- Suzy Broadhurst
- Sharon Dilworth
- Rev. Harold Lewis
- Tony Norman
2010
- Terrance Hayes
- Charlie Humphrey
- Art Rooney II
- Helana Routi
- Anna Singer
2009
- Toi Derricotte
- Franco Harris
- Marty McGuinn
- Rick Sebak
- Sally Wiggin
2008
- Patricia Jabbeh Wesley
2007
- David C. Conrad II
2006
- Jan Beatty
- Philip Terman