SaratogaArtsFest has 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 on April 30 at the ArtsFest Prelude 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, chair 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. 

Four members of the Yaddo staff were on hand to accept the award: Lynn Farenell, director of annual giving; Tristan Kirvin,  communications and event manager; Steve Dennin, development director; and Candace Wait, program director. 

Farenell read a statement from Yaddo President Elaina Richardson, who was unable to attend the event.  The statement read, in part, “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. 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 highest-quality 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 and14.    For more information, visit www.saratogaartsfest.org

Photo caption: 

The SaratogaArtsFest Arts Star Award for 2015 was presented to Yaddo, the famed artists's community, at the organization’s Prelude benefit on April 30. Accepting the award were four representatives of Yaddo (from left): Candace Wait, Steve Dennin, Tristan Kirvin, and Lynn Farnenell. To the far right is Dee Sarno, chair of SaratogaArtsFest board.