Ardie Russell Named as Chairperson
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne D. Yepsen has announced her latest appointments to the first Saratoga Springs Arts Commission. This expanded commission will serve as an advisory body to the mayor and the city council.
The mission of the Arts Commission is to build upon Saratoga Springs’ reputation as a premier arts destination, to advocate for artists and arts/cultural organizations, and to inspire, encourage, and develop inclusive artistic and cultural activities and initiatives that will stimulate economic development, further advancing the quality of life and the vibrancy of our city.
The Arts Commission has already been working on various activities. Since December, the commission’s initial members have submitted a grant proposal for $50,000 to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to create an Arts Master Plan for the City of Saratoga Springs. Also, a creative planning “charette” (a design and planning activity) has been held to gain input from the community. Other activities are being scheduled for late spring and summer.
“I’m thrilled to announce the creation and expansion of the first ever Saratoga Springs Arts Commission,” said Mayor Yepsen. “The Spa City and the greater Capital Region truly has unlimited potential when it comes to benefiting from the natural synergy that exists between sustainable economic growth and the creative arts. I’m proud to be joined by the many volunteers that I’ve appointed to this important commission.”
Mayor Yepsen has named Ardie Russell, Arts Administrator and owner of Studio 518, as the commission’s chairperson. Other members appointed to the Saratoga Springs Arts Commission are:
Amejo Amyot
Founder, Arts District on Beekman
Lance Bell
CEO, LGB, LLC Advertising Agency
Ian Berry
Dayton Director, The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College
Devra Cohen-Tigor
Professor at Union Graduate School, Empire State College and New York Institute of Technology.
Ria Curley
Ria Curley Music and Art
Lawrence Edelson
Artistic and General Director, Opera Saratoga
William Finlay
Founder and former Artistic Director, Saratoga Shakespeare Company; Professor and Chair, Theater Department, Union College
Pantelis Kodogiannis
Actor/Producer
Founding Member, Renegade Theatre and Film Group
Attorney
Jack Hyndman
Creative Director, Fingerpaint Marketing
Meg Kelly
Founder and Executive Director, Saratoga Children’s Theatre, Inc.
Beverley Mastrianni
Artist (sculptor); Former Member, National Advisory Council, The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery
Chris Millis
Writer, Producer, Cartoonist
Peter Nelson
President, Friends of Music Saratoga Springs
Director of Product Management, Informz
Joel Reed
Executive Director, Saratoga Arts
Susan Rivers
Fiber Artist, Artist Advocate
Planner, Elan Planning and Design
Dee Sarno
Chair, Board of Directors, Saratoga Arts Fest
Retired Arts Center Director and Educator
John Wager
Filmmaker, Director, Producer, Writer
Owner, Galileo Media Arts
Marcia White
President and Executive Director, Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Dianne Winter
Associate Director, Caffe Lena
