RAF CONGRATULATES OUR 2022 GRANT & SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS!

Congratulations to all recipients of RAF’s Spring 2022 grants and scholarships!!

Individual scholarship recipients (including RHS seniors and alumni, as well as students from BF and GW Middle Schools): Kayla Abboud, Finnegan Ban, Nora Cullen, Isaac Rentoul-Gins, Skylar Kliesch, Margot Melamed, Arnav Menezes, Sanjna Rajagopalan, Stella Song, Kiehye Song, William Stewart and Katie Weispfenning.

Organizational grants were awarded to Ars Musica, First Flight Theatre Company, Crafts with Care and Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra.

Join us for RAF’s first scholarship and grant recipient showcase (featuring works of this spring's recipients) at The Ridgewood Public Library on September 25 from 1-3pm. The showcase is free and open to the public.

RAF’s upcoming Autumn 2022 Scholarships and Grants submission deadline is October 1. Individual adult and student artists, and local organizations with emphasis on the arts, are encouraged to apply. More info here: www.ridgewoodartsfoundation.org/grants-and-scholarship

In addition to the student recipients mentioned above, photo includes in back row, Jeffrey Nyhuis principal of RHS, David Nussenbaum from Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra and Chris McCullough, Director of Fine and Applied Arts for Ridgewood District Schools . Middle row: Gwen Tundermann and Peggy Brizzolara from Ars Musica. Bottom row: Linda Bradley, RAF Trustee; Karen Eterovich (in period costume) and Frank Farrell from First Flight Theatre Company; Jill Williams, RAF President; and Kristen Plumley, RAF Trustee. Photo: Stacey Kliesch

Kristen Plumley, RAF Trustee; Middle School recipient, Kiehye Song; and Anthony Orsini, Principal of Benjamin Franklin Middle School. Photo courtesy of Kristen Plumley.

RHS grad and guitarist/vocalist Finnegan Ban. Photo: Peter Ban.

George Washington Middle School scholarship recipients Margot Melamed, Arnav Menezes, Isaac Rentoul-Gins and Nora Cullen with Principal Katie Kashmanian. Photo: Kristen Plumley.

2022 Honors Event - April 3, 2022

On Sunday, April 3, 2022, the Ridgewood Arts Foundation (RAF) hosted its fifth annual fundraising Honors event at Park West Loft in Ridgewood. The event is held annually to celebrate leading arts-oriented organizations and/or individuals who have contributed to Ridgewood's artistic community. The 2022 honorees were Noelle Kokoletsos and Marshall Crane of Spec Wired, an organization dedicated to providing artistic outlet and inclusivity to specially-abled young adults, and Ridgewood performer, Ciarán Sheehan. Sheehan said while he was honored to be recognized by RAF, he noted sincerely, "I was incredibly moved by the talents and resilience of the Spec Wired founders and participants." Noelle Kokoletsos of Spec Wired added, "We were thrilled to be honored by RAF and appreciate their support for artists and musicians of all abilities."

The entire RAF board with members of Spec Wired and 2022 RAF honorees, Ciarán Sheehan and Noelle Kokoletsos (both center) and RAF Sponsor, Janis Fuhrman (far right). Missing from photo are RAF board members, Albert Pucciarelli and Larisa Shlahet.

Spec Wired participant, Finn Bann, wows the audience with a guitar solo.

Honoree Ciarán Sheehan addressing RAF audience.

RAF audience listening to Spec Wired honorees, Noelle Kokoletsos and Marshall Crane.

RAF supporter Maureen O'Connor Martin who bought a painting from Spec Wired artist, Dominic DeLuca.

RAF board with members of RHS Jamboree who came out in support of RAF and its honorees.

Spec Wired artist, Charlotte, proudly stands by her artwork.

“Flowers in Art” Salon & Workshop

On Sunday, March 13, the Ridgewood Arts Foundation was thrilled to host its first Salon & Workshop in two years entitled “Flowers in Art”.  The virtual event featured a 10-minute discussion by host and Ridgewood floral designer, Larisa Shlahet, on how flowers have graced artwork and society over the course of history.  Then Ms. Shlahet led the group in designing their own spring bouquets for which the live blooms and vases had been delivered to each participant earlier in the day by RAF volunteers. 

Left to right: RAF supporters enjoying the workshop—Judy Braun, Anneke Meinardi, Nisha Cordero, Bonnie Lowicki, Lauren Smith, Debbie Jacobs, Nanci Gregory, Julie Dimino.

Workshop host and RAF board member, Larisa Shlahet.

RAF Board members, Kristen Plumley and Alina Swanson.

Zoom screen and flowers.

RAF Board members, Laura Hallada and Linda Bradley.

RAF SPONSORED “ARTS AMBLE” - June 11-12, 2021

Our own, Kristen Plumley, participated.

Performance by Lynne Needle

Ridgewood Arts Foundation Awards Scholarships to Talented Young Artists

Pictured are the scholarship awards at Ridgewood High School in December and in June 2019.

RAF Holds First Salon with Sold Out Attendance

RAF members and friends celebrated the Foundation’s inaugural Salon on June 5th with an exciting program exploring the subject of Architecture. Panelists Xiomara Paredes, of Paredes-Grube Architecture, Stephen Hambrecht and Karen Oleson, of Hambrect Oleson Design Inc., and Claus Rademacher, of Claus F. Rademacher Architects treated the sold out audience to a lively discussion on both the current trends and enduring design principles they are using in their work. The event was held at the beautiful Ridgewood home of Maureen and Dennis Martin.

Ridgewood Arts Foundation Honors 2019

On Sunday January 27th, the RAF was proud to honor two very special arts groups, Ridgewood Friends of Music and Mack Brandon and the Connection. Both Honorees gave spirited performances and relayed information about their mission during the festive reception and awards ceremony at Park West Loft. Village officials, cultural groups in town, and art loving residents were on hand to celebrate these local treasures and to enjoy an evening of unique visual and performing arts experiences.

The Ridgewood Arts Foundation Goes to the Guggenheim

The RAF’s annual art tour took place on October 20, exploring the groundbreaking architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright via an interactive private tour for RAF supporters with a museum educator.

RAF Donates Music Instruments

Instruments from the Ridgewood community, including drums and a keyboard, were donated to the Rosa Parks High School in Paterson to help replace those lost to mold due to the very wet summer.  RAF partnered with Friends of Music to locate the instruments after Ridgewood resident and high school music teacher Nancy Horowitz reported that their band instruments were damaged.

Atlantic Stewardship Bank Makes a Grant to RAF

Ms. Deborah Woods, Branch Manager of the Atlantic Stewardship Bank Ridgewood Office Presented a Check to RAF's Trustees and Advisory Committee on July 30, 2018.