December 3, 2023
The Ridgewood Arts Foundation (RAF) was thrilled to host its Annual Local Art Gem Tour at the Barrymore Film Center (BFC). Since its inception, RAF in addition to other activities, has conducted art tours once a year. The mission of the Ridgewood Arts Foundation is to celebrate and fund the arts to further enrich a creative environment in Ridgewood and our neighboring communities.
The Barrymore Film Center (BFC) is one of New Jersey's cultural gems, only 30 minutes from Ridgewood in Fort Lee. The BFC is a 250-seat cinema, film museum, and archive dedicated to the borough’s significant history as the birthplace of American film. Very few of us know that Fort Lee is the first American film town where studios, including Universal (1912), FOX (1915), and Solax (1912) were established. Along with exhibitions on Fort Lee and world cinema history, programming at the BFC includes major film retrospectives, annual silent film event, film festivals, foreign film screenings, and showcases for emerging filmmakers.
Ridgewood Arts Foundation’s BFC Local Art Gem Tour on December 3rd included a private tour of the incredible museum special exhibit by Susan from BFC and the screening of the original 1946 Beauty & The Beast Film presented in 35mm in French with English subtitles! The exhibit themed ““Power Couple” - Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford in Hollywood” was very interesting and greatly appreciated by all attendees. Nelson Page, Executive Director of BFC and Film Historian Richard Koszarski, curator of the current and all BFC exhibits were also available to share more details and interact with all attendees.
We had a great turn out and participant response was extremely positive. With 33 participants, we reached the peak attendance of all of our local art gem tours! A lot of teens from Ridgewood High School and Dwight-Englewood School also volunteered to organize the event and attend along with their parents and even school French language teacher.
We are also thankful to our generous sponsors Zen Haus Cafe, Le Palais Gourmet, La Vie En Rose Bakery Cafe and Village Tea Shop for providing the delicious food and beverages that was enjoyed by everyone!
