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The Follies House |
Artists Open Residence to Yaddo Guests
Saratoga Springs, NY (April 18, 2003) — Some of Yaddo's artist guests now will be able to stretch their time in the Saratoga Springs region, thanks to the generosity of a local couple. Rudy Funk and Luellen Smiley, owners of The Follies House in Ballston Spa, are opening their vacation residence to Yaddo artists who wish to extend their stay before or after a residency at Yaddo. They have agreed to offer up to two artists per year up to two weeks each at The Follies House free of charge, depending on space available at the time. The Follies House is a Victorian mansion approximately five miles from Yaddo that Smiley and Funk have converted into three fully furnished thematic apartments. Smiley coined the phrase "A Chorus of the Arts" for the house and has scoured local shops for antiques and bric-a-brac to recreate a specific era in each apartment. There is a "Boomer's Pad," with a 1950s retro look, a "Broadway Suite" furnished with vintage film and Hollywood memorabilia, and the "Empire Casino," a two-bedroom townhouse reminiscent of the local casino era. Since The Follies House offers short-term and long-term leases, it is a popular spot for musicians, dancers, and actors appearing at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and other nearby arts venues. Smiley, herself a writer, has a keen interest in the arts and was looking for a unique way to sponsor the arts. She knew of Yaddo and after researching local history was inspired to offer their assistance. Smiley and Funk, who work part of the year in Del Mar, California, recognized that some Yaddo artists may need extra time away from the constraints of everyday living to finish projects or, like them, simply enjoy spending extra time in and around Saratoga Springs. "It is encouraging to know that The Follies House believes in our mission, and this offer is a lovely expression of support for Yaddo," said Elaina Richardson, Yaddo president. Ms. Richardson said some of the artists who come to Yaddo, particularly those from abroad, often have complicated travel schedules and limited funds, making the offer of a few extra days to call their own a highly appreciated benefit. For more information about The Follies House, click here or here (VRBO page). ### |
