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Young Friends
The Young Friends of Save Venice are an energetic group of young professionals aged 39 and younger who share dual passions for art and preservation in Venice.
Initially established in the early 1990s, the group was responsible for sponsoring specific restoration projects and for the growth of what is today known as Un Ballo in Maschera, held annually in New York. The Young Friends Committee was re-established in 2018 and has since hosted events in New York, Venice, London, Houston, and Sag Harbor to raise awareness and funds for Save Venice’s mission. They have also previously sponsored the restoration of a set of Pietro Longhi paintings in Venice’s Ca’Rezzonico Museum.
In 2024, the Young Friends of Save Venice in collaboration with the Camalotte Foundation sponsored the restoration of Juno Presenting Venice the Insignia of Power, the center ceiling fresco on the west side of the Room of the Four Doors at Palazzo Ducale, Venice.
Young Friend Membership
Members of the Young Friends of Save Venice enjoy exclusive access to programming and events.
Young Friend Supporter
$250/year $245 is tax-deductible
- SV smartphone wallet set (2)
- SV map of Venice, made in Venice
- Listing in the annual print Newsletter
- EXCLUSIVE TO YF: Complimentary invitation to one Young Friend virtual event and/or lecture
- EXCLUSIVE TO YF: Advance opportunity to purchase membership-priced tickets for cocktail events and Drinks, Dessert, and Dancing at Un Ballo in Maschera
Young Friend Fellow
$1000/year $895 is tax-deductible
The above benefits, plus:
- Complimentary invitation to a restoration talk and reception in NYC
- SV tote bag
- Hour-long conservation tour of a site selected by SV for up to two persons*
- SV membership card granting free admission for two persons to the Accademia Galleries, Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Scuola Dalmata, Palazzo Cini Gallery and the 10 museums in Venice's Civic Museum network (MuVe) with reduced admission to MuVe temporary exhibitions**
- Eligibility to participate in SV art excursions
- Invitations to curator-led exhibition tours
- New! Save Venice Guidebook: The Church of San Sebastiano
- EXCLUSIVE TO YF: Complimentary invitation to a Young Friend Steering Committee Social in NYC
- EXCLUSIVE TO YF: Advance opportunity to purchase Young Friend-priced tickets to the 2024 Un Ballo in Maschera
- EXCLUSIVE TO YF: Opportunity to be considered to serve on the Host Committee for Young Friend-hosted events
- EXCLUSIVE TO YF: Opportunity to be considered to serve on the Young Friend Steering Committee
All Levels include:
- Annual Newsletter with professional photography
- Invitation to the virtual Annual Members’ Meeting
- Access to the 2024/25 NY and Venice Education Series
- Exclusive video updates on current restorations
- First access to webinar video recordings
- Listing on savevenice.org
Young Friend Upcoming Events
October 17, 2025 | 9:30 am ET
To the Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum | Members Exhibition Tour
The Frick Collection, NYC
Dr. Xavier F. Salomon, Deputy Director and Peter Jay Sharp Chief Curator
YF Fellow ($1,000)+ Benefit
October 28, 2025 | 12 pm ET
Women Artists of Venice: Conservation and Research Findings | Members Webinar
Melissa Conn, Director, Venice Office of Save Venice; Leslie Contarini, Venice Programs Director, Save Venice; Dr. Tracy Cooper, Professor of Art History, Temple University; Dr. Nora Gietz, Art Historian
All Members Benefit
November 6, 2025 | 6:15 pm ET
Monet and Venice | Members Exhibition Tour
Brooklyn Museum, NYC
Dr. Lisa Small, Senior Curator, European Art
YF Fellow ($1,000)+ Benefit
November 19, 2025 | 12 pm ET
Titian & Save Venice: Conserving Six Masterpieces | Members Webinar
Dr. Davide Gasparotto, Senior Curator of Paintings, Getty Museum; Dr. Gabriele Matino, Research Associate, Save Venice
All Members Benefit
February 10, 2026 | 12 pm ET
Fourth Annual Members Meeting | Members Virtual Event
All Members Benefit
April 17, 2026
Un Ballo in Maschera | Special Event
The Plaza, NYC
Sustainer ($5,000)+ members receive priority registration.
YF Fellow ($1,000)+ members receive early access to YF priced dinner tickets.
YF Supporter ($250)+ members receive access to membership-priced tickets to the after-dinner “Drinks, Dessert, and Dancing” party
June 4, 2026 | 6 pm ET
Save Venice Restoration Update | Lecture & Reception
The Colony Club, NYC
Melissa Conn, Director, Venice Office of Save Venice
Associate ($500)+ Benefit. Otherwise, YF tickets $25 per person.
June 2026 To Be Announced
First Look: Italian Highlights in the New LACMA | Members CollectionTour
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA
Dr. David Bardeen, Assistant Curator, European Painting and Sculpture
YF Fellow ($1,000)+ Benefit
Visit our event page for a full list of upcoming events
Young Friends Steering Committee
Casey Kohlberg, Chair
Michele Levbarg-Klein Rayden, President
Mercedes de Guardiola, Vice President
Skylar Pinchal, Vice President
Morgan Pino, Vice President
Laura Day Webb, Vice President
Lucy Beall-Lott
Kate Curkin
Shana Davis
Anthony DeWitt
Alessandro Ford-Rippolone
Ashlee Harrison
Daniel Howard
Sophia Kanavos
Katie Lovejoy
Silvia Mella
Clare Ngai
Erica Pishdadian
Anita Saggurti
Alicia Serrani
To learn more about joining the Young Friends Steering Committee, please contact araby@savevenice.org.
Young Friend Fellow Members receive first opportunity to be considered to serve on the Steering Committee.
Members of the 2022 Young Friends Steering Committee at "Un Ballo in Maschera: Incantesimo al Mare"
News & Stories
New York Office
133 East 58th Street, Suite 501
New York, NY 10022
Venice Office
Palazzo Contarini Polignac
Dorsoduro 870 30123 Venice, Italy
Rosand Library & Study Center
The Rosand Library & Study Center is accessible by appointment.
New York Office
133 East 58th Street, Suite 501
New York, NY 10022
Venice Office
Palazzo Contarini Polignac
Dorsoduro 870 30123 Venice, Italy
Rosand Library & Study Center
The Rosand Library & Study Center is accessible by appointment.