News

On February 3, Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque Director John Ewing officially became a Chevalier (knight) in France's Order of Arts and Letters. The 400-person ceremony and reception were hosted by CIA and the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA), where Ewing also serves as director of film.

Josh Knerly (pictured), the honorary French consul in Cleveland, presented Ewing’s award. Knerly filled in for Marie-Anne Toledano, cultural attaché from the French Consulate in Chicago, who was unable to attend due to the blizzard in Chicago.

Ewing was notified of this honor last summer in a letter citing his many years of promoting French culture at both the Cinematheque and the museum. This distinction adds him to an impressive list of international artists, including T.S. Eliot, Robert Redford, Jeanne Moreau, and Rudolf Nureyev.

For full coverage of the event, read the Plain Dealer article, watch a CMA newsreel video, or see CIA’s Flickr set of photos.