Yaddocast

In 1923, Elizabeth Ames (1885-1977) was appointed the first Executive Director of Yaddo. She lost no time in creating network of advisors to help her extend invitations to the finest artists in all media, judge applicants, and select from early guests a board of directors. While she valued the input of all these parties, she was not afraid to state her opinion in no uncertain terms. For forty-six years, Ames was truly the matriarch of Yaddo, a designation descriptive both of the way she exercised power in governance, and of the unique brand of care and encouragement she provided to resident artists. Like the other great women of Yaddo before her—-Katrina Trask, Marjorie Peabody Waite, or Allena Pardee—-she poured all of her intelligence, hard work, and maternal instincts into bringing into the world a place of endless creative rebirth. Perhaps Yaddo was born of the Romantic visions of Katrina Trask, but it was reared to maturity under the patient and firm guidance of Elizabeth Ames.