Receiving: November 6th thru 12th
Reception: Sunday, November 15th, 2–4 PM
Bring your friends and family and find a beautiful piece of original artwork to celebrate the season or give as a gift.
Join us with acclaimed artist Neal Hughes for an afternoon oil painting demo.
Donation: $10 Members, $20 Non-Members
Register to Reserve Your Spot
Over $10,000 in Merchandise & Cash Awards
Including a $2,000 Grand Prize
Application Deadline: November 30th, 2026
Show Dates: February 14 - March 14, 2027
Reception: March 14, 2027
Apply Online at www.showsubmit.com
Rent the RAI galleries to showcase your artwork or host an event or gathering. Choose from 4 different galleries, or book them all.
Contact us to learn more and reserve your spot.
Come view Ridgewood resident artist, Mary Zisk’s independent show this January.
Reception: January 10, 2027 at 2pm at the Barn
Receiving: March 19 – 27, 2027
Drawing : Friday, May 7, 2027 at 8pm
Members donate one of their beautiful works so that supporters of The Ridgewood Art Institute have the opportunity to bring a piece of fine art for $295.
Learn more about how the Sponsors Show works.
Join instructor Clinton T. Hobart for this 5-hour workshop designed to help you create a successful still life painting and gain confidence as a painter. You will make small, quick still-life studies, and there will be a quick painting demo. This workshop is designed to keep painting fun!
Workshop Fee: $120
Reach out to Clinton directly to reserve your spot.
Join RAI Instructor and educator Shawn Vales who argues that artists, not technology are in charge. From the introduction of perspective to the invention of photography, new technologies and tools have enhanced art in the hands of those who held to their purpose, and degraded art in the hands of those who lost their integrity.
Suggested Donation: $10
Register to Reserve Your Spot.
Join us for an art lecture with author and historian Hugh Howard and learn how the first painters in America established the art of painting in a distinctly American way.
Register to Reserve Your Spot
Members $10; Non-Members $20
Join us for our annual exhibition of works from RAI’s very own talented instructors. See a piece you love, consider visiting the instructor’s class. Artwork is also available for purchase.
Gallery hours: During classes times and Saturday & Sundays 12-4pm.
Click for more details and a link to our online gallery.
THIS EVENT IS STILL ON!
Join instructors, Rebecca Leer & Stephanie Cook, for an afternoon of hands-on demonstrations on stretching canvas, restoring vibrancy to paintings and framing pastels. Also joining in will be Craig, owner of NJ Frame & Molding.
Suggested Donation: $10 Members, $20 Non-Members
Join us at the annual Art in the Park in Van Neste Square.
Hosted by the Ridgewood Arts Foundation.
RAI will feature work by our instructors with live demonstrations.
Registration is full & CLOSED for this event.
Donation: $10 Members, $20 Non-Members
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE »>
PAPER UNDER GLASS: Members work in Watercolor, Ink, Pastel, Charcoal & Graphite.
VIEWING: Please call ahead at (201) 652-9615 to confirm gallery hours.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE »»
Annual RAI Members Summer Show
Become a member today and enjoy the many benefits to showcase your work.
VIEWING: Please call ahead at (201) 652-9615 to confirm daily gallery hours.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE »»
2025 - 2026 Schedule of Events
Calling all members!
The Ridgewood Art Institute Annual Meeting will be held at the Barn to vote on the 2026-27 Budget and to elect Board Officers and Trustees for those whose terms expired.
Following these votes, join the Board for a demonstration by RAI Instructor and master Illustrator, Bill Angresano.
Receiving: May 16th - 19th during class time
Reception/Awards: Sunday, June 7th 2:00pm - 3:00pm
An exhibition of works done by the Institute's young aspiring artists members and non-members (Ages 8-17) from surrounding areas.
Sunday, May 17th at 2:00 PM
Join talented RAI Member Jose F. Morales (Joe) for a live demonstration. Try his Fountain Pen & Wash Technique that captures light through value changes.
RAI will supply all necessary materials to the first 15 registrants who attend.
Attendees must register in advance via the sign-up sheet in the Barn lobby or email programs@ridgewoodartinstitute.org to indicate your interest. Please use the subject line: “May 17th Art Lecture.”
Non-Member Donation Fee $20
Help us continue to fund educational and community programs at RAI.
Purchase a sponsorship today to reserve your chance to take home a beautiful piece of art.
At the Drawing on May 1st, 8pm, sponsors’ names are drawn from a lottery, and each sponsor selects a framed painting to take home.
Visit during class times and on weekends from 12-4pm.
Join us for the Reception & Awards on March 22nd, 2-4pm
Congratulations to the accepted artists and the award winners.
View the gallery online or visit us to see it in person.
Receiving: January 5th - 11th 2026
Show Dates: January 18th - February 14th 2026
Pick Up: February 14th - 18th 2026
Artwork for Sale:
25% Commission to RAI. (Payment to Artist, Artist pays commission to RAI)
Artwork may be NFS as well.
Artist may submit up to 3 pieces of artwork
Entry fee is $10 per piece of artwork or $25 for three (3) pieces
Artwork must be framed, wired and ready to hang, Watercolor & Pastel must be under glass; Artwork not ready for hanging will not be included in the Exhibit.
Artwork must be in the Traditional American Realism manner; Chairperson has final decision on rejecting work not in this style.
All artists in “Member Shows” must be on the current membership list; Artwork by non-members will not be included in a Member Show.
Volunteer Gallery Sitters: Exhibiting artists are asked to participate in weekend Gallery Sitting for their show for 3 Saturday and 2 Sunday afternoons. Time slots are 12-2pm and 2-4pm. Signup sheet available during drop off.
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Giving Tuesday is a day that encourages people to give back in whatever ways they can. It presents nonprofit organizations with the chance to raise even more money than they would on an average day of giving, which is why many organizations create special campaigns to participate in this day of Giving.
The Ridgewood Art Institute is a very unique organization providing the finest instruction in Classical Realism in a variety of mediums. Classes are offered on an open enrollment basis, and can be joined at any time. Each student is taught in direct relation to their personal skill level. Our two gorgeous north lit studios as well as our 3 galleries are just a part of what RAI offers. We also sponsor events and workshops throughout the year, that are of interest to artists and art enthusiasts alike.
What most people DON'T realize, is that EVERYONE EXCEPT our wonderful Instructors is an unpaid volunteer. It takes the efforts of many to keep RAI thriving. The cost of maintaining our Historic Building, running events, utilities etc, well outweigh the amount of revenue we bring in thru membership.
PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO RAI ON GIVING TUESDAY, THIS DECEMBER 2ND.
Your gift will support this jewel in our community which is a gift to so many.
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Receiving: November 1st - 7th
Reception: Sunday, November 23rd, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Pick Up: January 3rd - January 8th, 2026
Artwork must be for sale (25% commission to RAI for sold work)
Artist may submit up to 3 pieces of artwork
Entry fee is $10 per piece of artwork or $25 for three (3) pieces
Artwork must be framed, wired and ready to hang, Watercolor & Pastel must be under glass; Artwork not ready for hanging will not be included in the Exhibit.
Artwork must be in the Traditional American Realism manner; Chairperson has final decision on rejecting work not in this style.
All artists in “Member Shows” must be on the current membership list; Artwork by non-members will not be included in a Member Show.
Volunteer Gallery Sitters for 5 Saturday and 5 Sunday afternoons (20 time slots) to keep building open. Time slots are 12-2pm and 2-4pm. Signup sheet available during drop off
Members: Free
Non-Members: Suggested Donation $20
LIVESTREAM Link: https://youtube.com/live/WfGmDE7NCYo?feature=share
Featuring the work of our Ridgewood Art Institute Instructors.
Receiving: September 29th - October 4th
Pick Up: November 1st - November 4th
Featuring portrait work of our RAI members.
Featuring the works of RAI members.
Pick Up: September 2nd - 8th
Show Dates: July 1st to August 31st, 2025
An exhibition of works done by the Institute's young aspring artists members and non-members (Ages 8-17) from surrounding areas.
Reception/Awards: Sunday, June 1st 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Receiving: May 17th - 20th during class times
Pick Up : June 15th - 17th during class times
Join us today for an art supply demo!
The 72nd Annual Sponsor Show
$10 suggested donation at door
This is an opportunity to learn how to draw! Feel confident to be able to join in our other classes offered at RAI.
March 2nd - March 23rd
Reception/Awards: March 23rd 2 - 4pm
Featuring the work of artists from around the country.
On view daily during class times (consult our class schedule or call 201-652-9615)
Saturday 9am-4pm
Sunday 12-4pm
Robert Papp, The Reluctant Musician - Arthur F. Maynard Award Winner
AWARD WINNERS
Arthur F. Maynard Award $1,000 Robert Papp
Lawrence & Lydia Miniter Award $750 Jie Li
Irv & Joan Englander Memorial Award $400 Todd Casey
Giancola Goldberg Memorial Award $400 Nicole Mone
Betty Kaytes Floral Award $300 Anne Johan
Joeseph B. Fazio Memorial Award $200 Alba Mezini
American Artist Professional League Award $200 Spike Ress
Angela Mineo Memorial Award $200 Chong Sun Oh
Mancuso Family Award $200 Robert Seufert
Marsha Holst Memorial Award $200 Regina Miele
New Jersey Watercolor Society Award $200 Thomas Rutledge
Hudson Valley Art Association Award $150 Susan Weintraub
Bill Fornaci Memorial Award for Oil Painting $150 Wendy Moore
Marilyn Dorfman Memorial Award $100 Rebecca Rosenheck
Kent Art Association Award $100 Joel Mitnick
Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club Award $100 Terri Rosenblum
Anna Holst Memorial Award $100 Marisa Picardo
Pastel Society of America Award $100 Lori Weisenfeld
Ulrich Award $100 Jimmie Arroyo
Salmagundi Club Award $100 MaryBeth McCabe
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