Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism Pledges Transportation Grant to Make Ridgefield and The Aldrich Museum Ideal Vacation Destination; Town Catches Anselm Kiefer Mania
May 1, 2006The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism has awarded The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum a grant of $20,000 to help offset the transportation costs for "The Ridgefield Express," running from New York's Grand Central Station to Ridgefield, Connecticut, on weekends from May 27 to October 1. Visitors take trains to the Katonah, New York, Metro-North Railroad (MTA) station, and then a quick Housatonic Area Regional Transit District (HART) bus to Ridgefield.
The occasion of "The Ridgefield Express" is the opening of a major exhibition at The Aldrich by renowned German painter Anselm Kiefer. The effect of the grant, however, will reach well beyond this exhibition, making Ridgefield's town center and The Aldrich accessible to a whole new audience. Visitors can shop, hunt for antiques, see a great show at The Ridgefield Playhouse, stroll, and enjoy restaurants and other local attractions, such as the Keeler Tavern and Ballard Park. The Aldrich would like to thank Jennifer Aniskovich, Rhonda Olisky, and the staff at the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism for their generous support of this service.
At a time when staggering gas prices make public transportation more appealing than ever, Ridgefield, Connecticut, could be the ideal vacation destination for New Yorkers looking to get away for the day or night. Ridgefield's Downtown Merchants Association, The Chamber of Commerce, the Litchfield Hills Tourist Region, and the Metro-North Railroad are all excited about this opportunity to bring visitors to town from New York and beyond. Local businesses are catching "Kiefer Mania" and will offer destination discounts to HART bus riders.
Born in Germany in 1945, Kiefer is arguably one of the most important European artists working today. The announcement of the exhibition of this new work at The Aldrich has already generated a stir in the art world.
This bus service offers a wonderful opportunity for everybody to access The Aldrich and all Ridgefield has to offer. For information about The Aldrich Museum and the Hart Bus service, visit www.aldrichart.org or call 203.438.4519.
For details about other exciting destinations in this region, or to obtain a copy of Connecticut's Vacation Guide or the 2006 Spring/Summer Culture Guide, visit CTvist.com or call 1-888-CT Visit.
