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 13 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 17 pieces from among the 149 creations judged at the recent 15th annual “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, retired County employees, County program volunteers and their family members is very impressive,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “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 4th awards reception and providing 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.
Clark:
Isabella Anastasatos (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18)
Ryan Frees (First Place, Amateur)
George Valladares (Honorable Mention, Amateur)
Clifton
Patzy Gutierrez (First Place, Teen 13-18)
Cranford
Christina Barlik (Third Place, Teen 13-18)
Berkeley Heights
Leslie Kepner (Professional, Honorable Mention)
Edison
Richa Wadhawan (Second Place and Art Education Award, Teen 13-18)
Elizabeth
Brianna & Elianna Borga (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under)
Natalie Gregorio (Second Place, Intermediate, returned award money back to program)
Shane Rhodes (Second Place, Youth 12 and Under)
Dario Scholis (Third Place, Professional)
Freeland
Ali McKittrick (First Place, Intermediate)
Seyona McKittrick (Third Place, Youth 12 and Under)
Hillsborough
James Caratozzolo (Second Place, Amateur)
Martinsville
Kayla Stasil (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under)
Old Bridge
Allana McQueen (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18)
Angelina Saggese (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18)
Plainfield
Raymond Morgan (Honorable Mention, Intermediate)
Rahway
Arianna Lespinasse (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under)
Danni Newbury (Honorable Mention, Intermediate)
Roselle
Judith White (Honorable Mention, Professional)
Roselle Park
Mario Rodriguez (Third Place, Intermediate)
Scotch Plains
Diego A. Otero (First Place, Youth 12 and Under)
Somerset
Tina Nummela (Third Place, Amateur)
Summit
Agnieszka Solawa (Second Place, Professional)
Westfield
Richard Earl (First Place, Professional)
Michael Endy (Best of Show, Professional).
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