It was a spectacular night to celebrate art and music at the 2024 Ridgewood Arts Foundation Honors Showcase, held at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood on April 5, 2024. As the most successful fundraiser in RAF history, all guests enjoyed an evening of live musical performances, an art exhibit, the debut of RAF’s “Capturing Nature” notecard series featuring the work of local visual artists, and an arts and events focused silent auction. Event proceeds will support RAF’s mission to celebrate and fund the arts by providing grants and scholarships to artists and arts organizations.
Attendees were welcomed into a theatre-in-the-round space adorned with cherry blossom branches and flickering candles, with a variety of visual art on display showcasing mediums such as stained glass, alcohol ink, colored pencil, acrylics, photography, and more.
Many thanks to the following grantees for sharing their visual art: Kayla Abboud, Julia Boesch, Julian Brescia, Lisa Hahn, Madeleine Haskins, Aashi Jesalpura, Keya Jesalpura, Karan Kalyanaraman, Soo Kim, Skylar Kliesch, Joseph Lim, Peggy Schunk, Stella Song, and Sophia Swanson. RAF trustee and event host Kristen Plumley then introduced our musical performers and grantees, which included Quinn Montague (tenor), Patricia Lazzara (flute), David Langan (bass), Anya Skulsky (violin), Ron Levy (accompanist), and Markus Ryen (trumpet), with Kristen Plumley (soprano) also gracing our stage.
Our goal for the RAF Honors Showcase was to highlight the talented musical and visual artists we have had the pleasure of supporting through the generous donations we receive from individuals and organizations. By seeing and hearing our performers up close, with some even leaving the stage to sing among our attendees, this immersive event was a reminder of the joy that only music and art can provide!
RAF’s next event, a part of our popular Salon series, will take place on June 12, 2024, (raindate June 13, 2024), at a landmark Ridgewood home that features the stained glass masterwork of G. Owen Bonawit. The “Stained Glass Salon: Light, Color and Storytelling” will include a discussion by local stained glass artist Lisa Hahn, and an introduction to the history of stained glass by Roberta Panjwani from the Ridgewood Public Library, with additional insight provided by a representative from J&R Lamb Studios, America’s preeminent stained glass fabrication and restoration experts. Beverages and light bites will be served. Tickets available here at www.ridgewoodartsfoundation.org
Many thanks to Zigi Putnins Photography - Zigifotos.com and Lorraine Haskins for event photographs.
Hear more about RAF and the Honors Showcase on the Ridgewood Talks Podcast
