SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY.- Yaddo, one of the nation’s oldest artist communities, announced today that it has received a $250,000 gift from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation to underwrite the cost of a new live-work studio for a visual artist. The studio is one of five currently under construction on the 400-acre estate, a National Historic Landmark that welcomes over 200 artists working in a variety of disciplines each year. The visual arts studio will be named in Frankenthaler’s honor.
“This gift is deeply meaningful to us in a number of ways,” said Yaddo President Elaina Richardson. “It helps to underscore our rich legacy of hosting incredibly talented visual artists at various stages in their careers, from emerging artists to those who are world-renowned, such as Helen Frankenthaler. The gift also confirms a core fact—the artists who know us best have been remarkable supporters of Yaddo and are the reason we’re poised for a vibrant second century. We are grateful to the Frankenthaler Foundation’s Board and leadership for their generosity, and honored by the trust they have placed in us.”
Helen Frankenthaler’s association with Yaddo extended over many years, and included serving on the community’s Board of Trustees from 1973 to 1978. In addition to providing generous financial support for Yaddo, she additionally served on visual arts admissions panels and was actively involved in the recruitment of artists.
Clifford Ross, Chairman of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Board of Trustees and a nephew of the artist, stated, “Helen took great pleasure in her association with Yaddo, working on its behalf to encourage numerous influential visual artists to participate in its programs. In recognition of this longstanding relationship, the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation is proud to support Yaddo with a gift that will help create a nurturing environment in which visual artists can focus on developing their work."
The new cabins sit atop a ridge overlooking Yaddo’s recently restored ponds, away from the noise of the interstate highway and tucked into the surrounding woods, each with an extraordinary vista. The visual arts studio is approximately 1,000 square feet, with a cathedral ceiling. The first guest is scheduled to be in residence in April 2016.
