BY MAUREEN WERTHER
The culinary and fine arts community has
found a new place to flourish just off Broadway
in Saratoga Springs.
Serendipity Arts Studio located at 26D
Congress Street, in Congress Plaza, is the
brainchild of local entrepreneur Patrice
Mastrianni. Drawing upon her extensive
background and experience as artist, teacher,
former creative director for Golub Corp., and
business owner, Mastrianni has created a space
that offers culinary and fine arts classes–and
parties–to people of all ages and all skill levels.
Mastrianni is no stranger to the downtown
business and art scene. As the past owner of
Creative Sparks Pottery on Phila Street and a
former member of the Saratoga Downtown
Business Association, She saw the need for a
business that would respond to the high level of
culinary and arts enthusiasm in the area. She
created Serendipity Arts Studio to fill that need.
Serendipity Arts Studio also offers a vehicle
for business-to-business connections.
“Once you have a connection to a chef or an
artist, you become a fan of that chef ‘s restaurant
or that artist’s work,” she said.
By having guest chefs and artists teaching
her classes, Mastrianni helps create and foster
those connections and, as a result, other local
businesses benefit from their relationship with
Serendipity, she said.
Mastrianni is also has local artists and chefs
as regular instructors. Philomena Aceto is an
accomplished chef who recently returned to
the area after working in New York City and
Dallas areas. Her first class is on making Italian
cookies on Sept. 19.
“If you weren’t blessed with an Italian
grandmother, come bake with us and take home
anginettes, biscotti, and more,” said Mastrianni.
Other regular instructors include classically
trained artist Cynthia Fiorini, whose classes
will include such courses as “Painting with
the Masters.” Mastrianni is also a seasoned
instructor who received her B.S. in studio art
from The College of Saint Rose and has been
teaching adults and children for nearly 35 years.
“This is a perfect place for mothers to
bring even their youngest children to nurture
creativity, social skills, and confidence,” she
said. “We also have programs exclusively for
teens to learn kitchen skills or just socialize
outside of school.”
To that end, on Sept. 27 and 28, Serendipity
Studio will host Dianne Massey, founder of
Berkshire School of Etiquette, who will teach
workshops for children, teens and young
professionals titled “Intro to Social Graces,”
Grooming the Graduate,” and “Brush Up for
Business,” all geared to building confidence in
a range of social situations.
Each session is tailored to a specific age
group and uses real dining and conversational
situations to inspire a higher level of confidence
in everyday experiences.
“So many families want their children to
attend adult functions and worry how they’ll
behave. I’ve also noticed how many young
members of the Chamber look uncomfortable
at mixers, and only mingle with people they
already know,” said Mastrianni.
Classes offered on a regular basis include
glass fusion, beading, mosaics, fabric arts, as
well as “Little Chefs,” and “Intro to Watercolor
Techniques.”
Serendipity Arts Studio also provides a
relaxing environment for adults in both daytime
and evening classes.
“The open kitchen is perfect for couples
cooking, girls night out or for hosting a dinner
party with a guest chef,” noted Mastrianni.
Serendipity Arts Studio is available for
private parties, fundraising events and
team-building activities for office groups.
For more information, call 886-9553. To
register for a class or book a party, visit www.serendipityartsstudio.com and click on the
calendar.