SaratogaArtsFest presented its Arts Star
Award for 2015 to Yaddo, the famed artists’
community located on a 400-acre estate in
Saratoga Springs.
The award was presented recently at the
ArtsFest Prelude fundraiser event at the
Saratoga National Golf Club.
Yaddo was founded in 1900 by the financier
Spencer Trask and his wife, Katrina, a poet.
Its mission is to nurture the creative process
by providing an opportunity for artists to work
without interruption in a supportive environment.
Over the years the community has housed
more that 5,500 artists.
“SaratogaArtsFest is proud to honor Yaddo
for its amazing support of artists for over a
century,” said Dee Sarno, chairwoman of the
ArtsFest board. “We applaud the staff at Yaddo
for their dedicated work, passion, and daring
commitment in giving artists the freedom and
power to create.
Yaddo staff members Lynn Farenell, director
of annual giving; Tristan Kirvin, communications
and event manager; Steve Dennin, development
director; and Candace Wait, program
director, were on hand to accept the award.
Farenell read a statement from Yaddo
President Elaina Richardson, who was unable
to attend the event.
“This is an exciting time for Yaddo, full of
promise as well as a challenge or two, and given
coherence by our commitment to two resonant
themes: preserving our past and building a
vibrant future,” she said. “We’ve just broken
ground on five new live-work studios, an exhilarating
and highly visible way of communicating
Yaddo’s dedication to providing the highestquality
environment for creative endeavors.”
Proceeds from the Prelude benefit will help
support the ArtsFestFriday events beginning
in September. Said Sarno, “SaratogaArtsFest
thanks the many businesses and patrons who
supported the Prelude event, especially our
major sponsors, Marcia and Jerry MacDonald,
Denise Polit and Alan Janosy, and Camelot Copy
and Print Center in Albany.”
Prior to the fall events, the ArtsFest will
celebrate the Saratoga Springs centennial
with varied arts events in downtown Saratoga
Springs on Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and
14. For more information, visit www.saratogaartsfest.org.