Yaddo’s Centennial Summer Benefit
Saratoga Springs— Over 500 guests packed into the esteemed halls of the Yaddo estate for the nonprofit’s annual summer benefit last Thursday. This was the last summer benefit for the program’s long-term president, Elaina Richardson, who is set to step down after 26 years with Yaddo.
Yaddo is a 400-acre estate off Union Ave in Saratoga Springs. It welcomes artists from around the world to stay on site for the sole purpose of creating art. Artists from all disciplines are invited and all their expenses are paid by the nonprofit for the duration of their stay.
Local philanthropists were treated to drinks and appetizers as they bid on a silent auction which included items like tickets to the NY Giants and Kentucky Derby, a trip to Cannes, France, and even a church pew. Then guests filed into the cover of a large tent on the front lawn as intermittent rain refused to ruin the occasion.
Mike Aldo hosted the culmination of the night along with performances by Yaddo artists. Sylver Wallace was the first act of the night, instantly captivating the audience with her velvety vocals. Audery Corsa and Max Roll followed with a playful theatrical skit. Joseph Keckler ended the night with a unique storytelling-musical performance of Yaddo.
Richardson reflected on her tenure at Yaddo and the importance of its mission for society.
“Now, after a quarter century of living here, unpeeling the onion of history, I have a more nuanced answer that maybe taps into the original psychology behind the Trask’s vision. Along with great wealth and privilege, they faced unimaginable sorrows. I think their belief in individual artists is tied to this knowledge of suffering, and the comfort that came to them, from books and painting, music and new ideas.”
Spencer and Katrina Trask bought the estate in Saratoga after the death of their first-born child in 1881 as a retreat for their mourning. This would be a tragically recurring event, as all four of the Trask’s children would not live beyond childhood. The original structure on the property burned down in 1891, and the mansion that stands today was constructed in 1893. In 1900, the childless Trasks co-authored a joint testimony agreement which outlined their vision for Yaddo.
“We desire to found here a permanent home to which may come from time to time for rest and refreshment authors, painters, sculptures, musicians, and other artists both men and women few in number and chosen for creative gifts and besides and not less for the power and the [will] and purpose to make these gifts useful to the world.” Neither Trask would live to see their dream come to fruition.
On Thursday, the summer benefit raised over 200,000 dollars in support of the continuation of Yaddo’s ambitions.
“Yaddo, never indifferent, always at the heart of important issues and conversations of the day, remains just that, doubling down decade after decade, on the belief that a world without art is a world without hope,” said Richardson.