SOMA Film Festival to donate proceeds to local schools’ art programs

‘Art and Craft’

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — SOMA Film Festival, in partnership with Maplewood Arts Council, will screen the award-winning documentary “Art & Craft” on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Road in Maplewood. All proceeds to be donated to each of the local elementary schools’ art programs.

“Art & Craft” is a film about Mark Landis, who has been called one of the most prolific art forgers in U.S. history — but not for profit. Posing as a philanthropic donor, he has given away hundreds of his forged works over the years to a staggering list of institutions across the United States. But after duping Matthew Leininger, a tenacious registrar who ultimately discovered the decades-long ruse and set out to expose his philanthropic escapades to the art world, Landis was forced to confront his own legacy and a chorus of museum professionals clamoring for him to stop.

“We have made the effort to give back to the community that has given much to us and marrying content with cause has proven to be both exciting and enriching,” SOMA Film Festival Program Director Linda Beck said in a press release.

The schools that will directly benefit from the Dec. 7 screening are Clinton, Jefferson and Seth Boyden of Maplewood, and Marshall and South Mountain of South Orange.

In attendance will be the films directors Mark Becker, Sam Cullman and Jennifer Grausman, who will participate in a question-and-answer session following the film.

To purchase tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-craft-screening-tickets-37840523023.