On November 5, 2007 the Fine Arts Work Center honored Norman Mailer, Michael Mazur and Dr. Theodore Landsmark with the Gilbert Franklin Medal for Distinguished Service in the Arts at the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge. Dr. Robert Jay Lifton, writer and psychiatrist and long-time friend of Mailer, presented the award to Norman and read the following remarks sent by Norris Church Mailer on behalf of Norman.

"The Fine Arts Work Center has always meant a lot to Norman and me. To us, it was the lively center of the artist and writers' community in Provincetown, and we were so proud when occasionally, in our travels, we met someone who had been a Fellow there. It was always an instant bond between us. I, myself, rented space in the bins years ago to paint, when birds still roosted in the rafters, and those were some of the happiest times of my life, being part of a group of artists, whatever their focus, all working together in the warm summer air, all feeling as if we were making the world a more beautiful place to live. I know Norman would have had a great speech to make about the Work Center, there was never a single time in my memory that he didn't have a great speech about whatever he was talking about, and I do with all my heart wish he were here to give it. So, as he likes to say - Cheers to the Fine Arts Work Center. May you live long and prosper."

Norman Mailer was a friend and supporter of the Fine Arts Work Center from its earliest days. His commitment to fostering generations of artistic talent came from the same vision that gave rise to the founding of FAWC. We honor him and we will miss him and his passion for creative work.