ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a selection of prize-winning art work by Union County employees and their family members is on display through July 15 in the Freeholders Gallery, located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building, Elizabethtown Plaza at Rahway Avenue, in Elizabeth. The gallery is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.
The art display presents a select sampling of pieces from among the 144 creations judged at the recent 12thannual “National Arts Program Exhibit and Contest for Union County Employees and Their Families.” The exhibit and contest is a result of a partnership with the National Arts Program Foundation which provides prize money and valuable support to display the work of talented artists.
“The artistic talent of our Union County employees and their family members is very impressive,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “We have artists who excel in painting, photography, and other visual arts, and we are proud to put their work on display. We thank the National Arts Program Foundation and Elizabethtown Gas Company for hosting the May 8th awards reception and providing gallery space for Union County employees and their families to display their talent in the original exhibit.”
Listed alphabetically by town are all the award-winning employee artists (or their family members) and the awards they won at the original exhibit and contest. Not all of the award-winning pieces are able to be displayed at the Freeholders Gallery exhibit.
Berkeley Heights: Blair Wagner (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Clark: Susan Anderson (Honorable Mention, Professional). Colonia: Andrea Moore (First Place, Amateur). Cranford: Betty Ann Kelly (Honorable Mention, Intermediate); Colleen Rodgers (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Angelina Spricigo (Second Place, Youth 12 and Under); and Dianna Strom (Third Place, Intermediate). Edison: Ruth Brown, (Honorable Mention, Professional); Richa Wadhawan (First Place, Youth 12 and Under); Rishabh Wadhawan (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Sanjeev Wadhawan (Honorable Mention, Amateur).Elizabeth: Gianna Carrasco (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); John Rhodes (Second Place, Intermediate); and Shane Rhodes (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under). Garwood: Kelly Sullivan (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Fanwood: Giselle Valdes (Honorable Mention, Intermediate).Hillsborough: James Caratozzolo (Honorable Mention, Amateur). Jackson: Grace Hagemann (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under). Kenilworth: Matthew DiDonato (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under).Linden: Angelito David (Second Place, Professional); Donna Farrell (Honorable Mention, Amateur); Joseph Hickey (First Place, Teen 13-18); Christine Marti-Millward (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Adrianna Rendon (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18); Victoria Rendon (Third Place, Youth 12 and Under); and Audrey Strano (Best of Show, Intermediate). Martinsville: Kayla Stasil (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Thomas Stasil (Third Place, Professional). Old Bridge: Allana McQueen (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Anthony McQueen (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Phillipsburg: Angelina Saggese (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Plainfield: Bridget McGuire (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18); Molly McGuire (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Raymond Morgan, (Third Place, Amateur); Faith Williamson (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Trinity Williamson (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under). Sayreville: Ara Herrera (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Somerset: Tiina Nummela (Second Place, Amateur). Union: Meghan Gelcius (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Stephanie Kakaletris (First Place, Intermediate). Wall: Mikayla Herbert (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under).Waretown: Jennifer LaVeglia (First Place, Professional). Westfield: Jimmy McCutcheon (Third Place, Youth 12 and Under); Angelo Paparella (Honorable Mention, Intermediate); Sabrina Paparella (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18); and Victoria Paparella (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under).
Additional support for this event was provided by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Exhibits at the Freeholders Gallery are coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.
For more information about this exhibit and other programs and services related to the arts and Union County history, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711. Or send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org
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