Maserati in Spa City raising money for charity
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » A brightly decorated Maserati is making its way around the Spa City this summer raising money for charity.
Artist Laurence Gartel’s most recent “art car” has already raised thousands for local organizations through the 2018 DePaula Drive for Charity, a unique local charity program.
The centerpiece of this year’s program features a Maserati Ghibli with a Zegna Interior that DePaula commissioned renowned digital artist Laurence Gartel to transform into a moving piece of art.
The images on the Maserati Art Car depict iconic scenes of Saratoga Springs and were inspired by a visit the artist made to area earlier this summer when he met with each of the charities that are receiving benefits from the car’s presence at their galas and museums this season in Saratoga Springs.
Six charities were selected to participate in the 2018 DePaula Drive for Charity. They are the Belmont Child Care Association, which provides early childhood education for children of thoroughbred backstretch employees who work at Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct Race Courses; Skidmore College Palamountain Scholarship Fund which provides support for students, who because of financial need might not be able to attend Skidmore; The Saratoga Hospital Foundation which ensures that residents across the region have access to care they deserve; Equine Advocates whose mission is to rescue, protect and prevent the abuse of horses; The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame which strives to preserve and promote the history of thoroughbred racing in America and honor the sports most accomplished participants; and The Saratoga Automobile Museum which preserves artifacts and celebrates the automobile while educating the public.
Each charity receives a live auction or raffle item that included original artwork from the car specifically themed for each charity, worth $1,000, to be used at each of their fundraising events and the chance to drive the Art Car for a weekend geta-way in the Adirondacks. The Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid, a partner in the program, is providing accommodations for twonight stays including breakfast.
The Maserati Art Car Experience was auctioned at the Skidmore College Polo by Twilight event on July 24, the Saratoga Hospital Gala on Aug. 1, the Equine Advocates Gala on Aug. 2 and the Belmont Child Care Association gala on Aug. 22.
There are still two more opportunities for lucky winners to enjoy their own Maserati Art Car Experience. The DePaula Drive for Charity Art Car Experience is being raffled by two iconic museums in Saratoga, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Saratoga Auto Museum.
The Maserati Art Car is currently on display at National
Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame through this weekend. Tickets for the raffle are available at the front desk through Labor Day, when the winner will be selected.
Next up, Saratoga Automobile Museum will have raffle tickets available at the museum and during the events surrounding the Saratoga Wine and Food Festival and Saratoga Auto Auction, where the Maserati Art Car will be displayed, through Sept. 23.
Founded in 1980, the DePaula Auto Group has consistently given back to the community for nearly 40 years, and this year is no different. Now in its fourth year, the DePaula Drive for Charity has raised a total of more than $60,000.
Each of these charities is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the DePaula Drive for Charity program. “I would like to express my gratitude and deepest appreciation to Anthony DePaula and the DePaula Auto Group for choosing our organization’s summer gala as one of the selected events at which this exclusive and absolutely fabulous driving experience was auctioned off,” said Susan Wagner, president of Equine Advocates, in a press release. “It is such an honor to have images of our rescue work and horses featured on an ‘ArtCar’ by the great Laurence Gartel.”
Hailing from Florida, Gartel’s life has been filled with collaborations with everyone from Andy Warhol to the Grammys and beyond, so this Saratoga-centric Art Car is now part of modern art legend and lore.
Gartel, who had only visited Saratoga during summer camp nearly 50 years ago, was struck by the Saratoga experience. “I really came with a fresh eye,” Gartel said. “It was like a baby opening its eyes to the world … and I think that new approach made the car as spectacular as it is.”
Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Congress Park, The Adelphi Hotel, Yaddo, The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum, Saratoga Polo Association and National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame were just some of the sights Gartel drew inspiration from while creating the car’s design.
“The uniqueness of the Maserati Art Car is that it specifically focuses on the cultural iconography around Saratoga Springs. The beauty of Saratoga played the part of colorful backdrop for the car. Maserati prides itself on horse power and elegant design. It was the perfect ‘canvas’ to showcase the beauty of equines for which Saratoga is known,” he said in the release. “It was fascinating to me how each person I met that viewed the car had a personal connection with some aspect of what the artwork represented. I was also gratifying to become familiar with the missions of all six charities who will benefit from the generosity and support of the DePaula Auto Group and the DePaula family.”