I’m doing what George started and I’m enjoying it just as much as he did. We have it. We want to share it. We want to support all of these cultural organizations
- Alexandra Goodstadt
This year's Arts Volunteer award, presented by The Ridgefield Playhouse, will be given to longtime Ridgefield resident Alexandra Goodstadt, who has donated to, and supported, so many art organizations in the area. Read more about the award here.
Goodstadt, a woman who truly exudes old-world style, is the publisher of Fine Art including Al Hirschfeld pencil signed etchings and lithographs. "We have inventory of limited edition etchings and lithographs and a lot of them are from Hirshfeld. People in this town love Hirshfeld," explains Goodstadt.
Goodstadt says she's been donating Hirshfeld art since the death of her beloved husband, George in 2002. "When George was here, we talked about what organizations to support - cultural organizations as well as [Ridgefield] ABC House, Kids in Crisis, and The Woman Center. These organizations are important," says Goodstadt.
Goodstadt has a long history with the Hirschfeld family that began decades ago when George opened Bank Street Atelier, a lithography printing studio on Bank Street in NYC. "It was a renowned and highly recommended place," she says. George and Al became best friends. "George and Al Hirshfeld were like family. Best of friends. Even when George moved here to Ridgefield, he’d go into the city and see Al once a week," recalls Goodstadt.
Bank Street Atelier contained old flat-bed printing presses, and lithographic stones from around the world. "He [George] went all over the world to find these stones," explains Goodstadt. The shop became known by modern American art masters. "They would come to print their lithographs and experiment with the lithographic stones," Goodstadt explain. And, by "they" she means legendary artists like Al Hirschfeld and Alex Katz.
George eventually moved his shop to Westport, and after the birth of their daughter, Alexandra and George settled in Ridgefield. They owned and operated the "Antique Poster Collection" in Girolametti Court. Shortly after George died, Goodstadt closed the shop.
With deep roots in Ridgefield, Alexandra Goodstadt is looking forward to continuing to support the arts, and many other local nonprofits near and dear to her heart. "George loved it here, he was a Rotarian," she says. What's more, Goodstadt's daughter, Kristina, attended Veterans Park, East Ridge Middle School and graduated from Ridgefield High School.
Goodstadt will receive her award at Ridgefield Playhouse Fall Gala featuring legendary Smokey Robinson on October 10. “It feels so good and I'm purely delighted," remarked Goodstadt.
Tickets: $250 - purchase HERE.