THE PICTURE HOUSE REGIONAL FILM CENTER’S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION COMES TO A CLOSE
Anniversary of 1921 Theater Ends with Successful Fundraising Gala and Rings in a New Century
March 2022 – Pelham and Bronxville, NY –The Picture House Regional Film Center’s year-long centennial events came to a close on Friday, March 11, 2022 at the much anticipated Centennial Celebration at the beautiful Glen Island Harbour Club overlooking Long Island Sound in New Rochelle. Picture House supporters from Westchester County and beyond came together to revel in a century of film and community and celebrate a momentous year marked most notably by the film center’s expansion to a second 1920s era theater in Bronxville, NY.
The Centennial Celebration honored Senator Chuck Schumer with the Second Century Award, Janet Langsam, CEO of ArtsWestchester with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, who received the Cicely Tyson award from the incomparable Billy Porter. Other notable presenters and guests included NY State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, NY State Assembly Member Amy Paulin, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, Westchester Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons, Bronxville Mayor Mary Marvin, and Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen. Proclamations of support from State Senator Shelley Mayor were presented at the celebration as well.
Senator Schumer led the charge for the creation and passage of Save Our Stages legislation which provided a vital lifeline to the nation’s venues, cultural organizations, and performance spaces during the pandemic.
Laura deBuys, Executive Director and President of The Picture House, said “Weathering 100 years is no small feat and is absolutely worthy of celebration. Because of Save Our Stages, we are also celebrating the beginning of our second century. Without this legislation and the generosity of our supporters, we would not be here today with two re-opened theaters after long pandemic closures. As we move forward into our second century, we do so with a focus on our mission, understanding that we must continue to build bridges, improve access and equity in the arts, and share our tears and our laughter for many years to come.”
The event was the culmination of a year of celebration supported by The Picture House’s Centennial Sponsors: Decade Sponsors Benchmark Education and The Berkowitz Marrone Team at Triplemint; Decade Sponsors Component Assembly Systems, The Italian American Forum, and UBS; and Supporting Sponsors Ball Chain, Bischof & Bischof LLC, Compass, Meridian Risk Management/Meridian Realty Consultants, and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Additional support for the event was provided by Event Sponsors Jeanne and David Radvany, CClean, Nancy Davis and Fred Roffman, Tobi and Martin Rogowsky, and Maurice Owen Michaane.
