The National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs has announced a citywide arts project for 2013 that doubles as a fundraiser: Saratoga En Pointe.
In a city mainly known for its rich history in horse racing, the dance museum wants to make sure people know about its place in the history of dance, too. The New York City Ballet has spent a summer at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center every year for 50 years, for instance.
Saratoga En Pointe will highlight that rich history with 24 5-foot tall pointe shoe fiberglass sculptures that will be decorated by local artists and purchased for $5,000 each by sponsors.
Anyone with familiar with Saratoga Springs will remember the decorated fiberglass horses that peppered the city streets. The ballet slippers will resemble those horses that are still scattered throughout the city.
According to museum Director Donna Skiff, this fundraiser will be used to help preserve the integrity of the museum’s historic building and allow the museum to continue to bring arts to the community through its many exhibits and programs. The museum is the only museum in the country one of the few worldwide dedicated to the art of dance.
At a cocktail party held on Friday, Feb. 1, in the museum’s marble rotunda, the fiberglass dance shoe was unveiled under sparkling chandelier lights, and the 24 local artists picked by a museum committee showed off their concepts for the designs of the shoes.
The artists will be using their imaginations to apply various dance themes, as well as themes unique to Saratoga. The materials they will use include paint, stained glass, watercolors and even gold dust.
At the party, potential sponsors strolled between the different stations the artists had set up to see if any of the designs piqued their interest.
Artist Catherine Minnery and sponsor Michelle Funiciello, who represents David Brouse Realty, the owner of Congress Park Center, were thrilled to have found a match together. Minnery’s concept is to incorporate the old Grand Union Hotel into her design, and Funiciello found that perfect for the center because it was built on the site of the old hotel.
“We are very excited with the incorporated element of the old hotel,” said Funiciello. “It will pay homage to days gone by and the shoe will have a prominent place in front of the center.”
Other artists had already received sponsors, some known and some unknown to them. Among the designs already sold include a concept by Judith Aratoli-Tully, whose “Adirondack Splendor” shoe was bought by Michelle Riggi, the museum board president.
In coming weeks, the board hopes all 24 artists will be paired with sponsors and installation sites will be selected throughout the city. Anyone interested in sponsoring a shoe can contact the museum offices at 584-2225 or [email protected].
A grand unveiling of the sculptures will be held at the National Museum of Dance on May 31. They will then be delivered to their permanent homes throughout Saratoga Springs.