The Edgewater Arts Council is a non-profit organization of volunteers which was created in 1991 to broaden awareness of visual and performing arts and crafts. We have donated sculptures and vintage photos to the Borough for public appreciation; the municipality received framed prints of paintings depicting local scenes, and we have created an art gallery at the Community Center. We have presented jazz and classical concerts and have booked bands for concerts in Veterans Field. Other activities include informal lecture-discussions on photography and the arts. We co-sponsor the Annual Ford Assembly Plant Vintage Auto Show in conjunction with the Edgewater Cultural & Historical Committee.
For the past 23 years, Edgewater has hosted an Annual Arts and Music Festival inviting artists from around the area to showcase their talents and compete in Bergen County’s most prestigious juried art competition. We are proud that this year we are able to offer $4.500 in prizes to those artists whose work exemplifies the best in photography, art, crafts and fiber arts including a $1,000 prize for the “Best of Show” award.
All of this was the vision of Neda Rose who founded the Edgewater Arts Council in 1991. Although she has recently retired and moved to North Carolina, her vision and leadership continue to be a presence to this increasingly popular Arts and Music Festival. When the first festival was held in 1991, we welcomed eight artists and less than 300 visitors. But as word of our annual festival spread, we outgrew the limited space to accommodate the growing crowds of attendees. When the Shadyside section of Edgewater was reorganized, a municipal parking lot was mandated, and we moved to our present location in this unique corner of Edgewater. At this idyllic location, we are able to close Old River Road to vehicular traffic and visitors can stroll leisurely among the exhibits, visit with artists, shop, listen to music and enjoy the food and drinks available from local vendors.
Free shuttle buses run continually from 11AM to 6PM between Edgewater Commons and the Art & Music Festival. For the ninth year, visitors are also able to enjoy the Ford Assembly Plant Vintage Automobile Show in the Edgewater Commons parking lot. Automobiles prizes are awarded by the Edgewater Cultural and Historical Committee at 3:00 PM. Independence Harbor is now located on the site of the original Edgewater Ford Assembly Plant, which operated between 1930 and 1954.
Our independent, not-for-profit, non-partisan Edgewater Arts Council and the Borough have grown in many ways over the past 23 years. Edgewater is now a prominent part of New Jersey’s new Gold Coast. And the non-profit Arts Council’s annual festival has become Edgewater’s most popular cultural event!
Contact us!
Would you like to join us and help with our Edgewater Annual Arts & Music Festival?
We have monthly meetings and always appreciate fresh new ideas!
We are meeting every second Tuesday of the month and would love to see you!
