Saltonstall Colony History
IN 1994, Kathy Durland Dewart met with Connie Saltonstall and Mike May, Connie’s lawyer and friend. Together they attempted to shape an idea into a document that would be a guide for the formation of an arts foundation. Connie especially hoped her home and property, a place she found so inspiring, would become a retreat where artists and writers could live and work.
Durland Dewart recalls, "Weeks after her diagnosis Connie knew she was dying. It was important to her that she left us with this idea that would become a reality and her memorial. Within a few months, Vicky Romanoff and Gillian Pederson-Krag joined me as the founding members of the Saltonstall Foundation. Connie's dream, her vision, has become a remarkable living legacy."
Today, the Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts remains committed to supporting art at its source: the individual artist.
TO DATE, WE HAVE:
- Provided residencies at the Saltonstall Arts Colony to over 200 artists and writers
- Given $530,000 in grants to individual artists and writers of New York State
- Assisted local non-profit organizations with over $55,000 in funding for projects to bring the arts to our community
The results of Connie's gift have been astounding and continue to multiply. The 200-acre property has seen the comings and goings of many artists with an extraordinary commitment to their work. The creative spirit that infuses this place has profoundly influenced many artists. As we continue into our second decade, we strive to serve future generations of writers, visual artists and photographers.