The Union County Board of County Commissioners Presents

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Professional & Non-Professional Artists | Older Adults – 60 years of age & up

Entry Deadline

Sunday, April 13

Register Online

Online Registration is required. Click here or scroll down

For assistance, call 908-558-2552.

Artwork Drop-Off

Tuesday, April 15, 9 am – 12:30 pm

Venue

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ (Scotch Plains Campus)

1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains (Located on the campus of UCTVS, near Martine Avenue)

Exhibit on View

April 21 – June 4 | Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm. Tuesdays until 8 pm. (Closed May 26)

Closes June 4 at 12 noon

Closing Reception & Artwork Pickup

Wednesday, June 4

  • Reception & Awards: 11 am – 12:30 pm / Light fare served
  • Artwork Pickup: 12:30 – 3:30 pm

ELIGIBILITY

Any artist age 60 or above, currently residing in Union County, may submit one entry. It must be an original artwork completed within the past three years, completed between April 2022 and April 2025. The entry cannot be an artwork previously entered in the Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit.

ARTIST CLASSIFICATIONS

PROFESSIONAL: Person meeting 2 or more of the following qualifications:

  • has sold their art through commercial channels including galleries, online galleries, craft shows, art shows, etc.
  • holds (or has held) professional membership in an arts guild or association
  • has been exhibiting work for 2 or more years in professional galleries and/or professional art exhibits **
  • has had work selected for 2 or more juried art or craft shows **
  • has received 2 or more awards for their artwork **

** These qualifications do not apply if you’ve entered work ONLY in this county exhibit and NO other shows or venues. However, if you previously entered this exhibit as Non-Professional and won 1st Place 3 or more times in your Media Category, you should now identify yourself as Professional.

NON-PROFESSIONAL: Anyone not meeting 2 or more of the criteria above for a professional.

MEDIA CATEGORIES

  • Acrylic Painting
  • Craft – one-of-a-kind original creations only; no craft kits or molds
  • Digital Art – artwork created or significantly altered with computer graphics software (this category does not include digital photography)
  • Mixed Media – artwork combines two or more media, no one of which clearly predominates; includes collage and assemblage
  • Oil Painting
  • Pastel – includes chalk and oil pastel
  • Printmaking – includes etching, engraving, lithograph, woodcut, monoprint, monotype, silkscreen, etc.
  • Photography – includes photographs taken with either a film-based or digital camera
  • Sculpture – non-functional, 3-dimensional work (except some crafts) in any medium, abstract or figurative, painted or unpainted
  • Watercolor Painting – includes gouache (traditional watercolor work often includes light pencil work and/or ink; still considered Watercolor – NOT Mixed Media)
  • Works on Paper (Drawing) – includes hand-drawn works in media including charcoal, pencil, pen, ink, graphite, colored pencil, markers, crayon, or a stylus of any sort

RULES & REQUIREMENTS FOR ARTWORK & DISPLAY

  • Entry must be the original creation of the artist. Reproductions (such as giclee or other digital copies) of artwork will not be accepted. Artwork made using a kit or coloring sheets; or copying another person’s artwork, will not be accepted.
  • Any hanging 2D artwork, including photos and crafts cannot exceed 30″ in any dimension (including frame), and cannot be less than 10″ in any dimension. Measure artwork including frame.
  • Sculpture and 3D craft work: Width and depth cannot exceed 20″. Height cannot exceed 36″. For 3D work, measurements must include any base. Artwork cannot exceed 40 pounds. Artwork cannot have separate unconnected pieces or insecurely attached parts. Any 3D piece with a base must be securely fastened to that base.
  • Jewelry should be mounted to display (not loose), and may be framed to hang if desired.
  • Artwork must be delivered “show-ready” on April 15.
  • 2D hanging work must be framed and wired securely (with screw eyes). Saw hooks are not accepted. Matting is recommended. Paintings on canvas do not need to be matted/framed, however edges should be painted or finished.
  • Protect 2D artwork if necessary with Plexiglas, Mylar or other clear, protective material. For 2D artwork exceeding 24” in any dimension, Plexiglas is REQUIRED (no glass) to avoid accidental damage to glass.
  • Artwork must be labeled with a completed 2025 Label, which will be e-mailed to you upon registration. If needed, a label will be provided to you at drop-off.
  • Enter your artwork in the correct category, per the list below. Artwork categorized incorrectly will be moved to the appropriate category at the discretion of staff or jurors.
  • Work does not need to be for sale, but a Value/Price is required with Registration. Sale prices are NOT displayed in this exhibit. Anyone interested in purchasing an artwork in this exhibit may contact the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs. If the artwork is for sale, the office will notify the artist as a courtesy, and provide the potential buyer’s contact information. Actual sale must be arranged by the artist and buyer.
  • Any entry valued at more than $399 must be insured by the artist through their homeowners/rental insurance or through a fine arts rider; and the insurance company name must be provided in the registration form. All possible care is taken to safeguard artwork, including video surveillance and security personnel at the exhibit venue, however the County of Union and UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ do not insure artwork on exhibit, and do not assume responsibility for any loss or damage incurred.
  • Every effort is made to secure and protect each artwork submitted. Only staff may remove artwork. Artists may not remove artwork from the exhibit directly. Artwork will handed to you by staff during the designated pickup time on June 4. Entering this exhibit signifies agreement with this requirement.
  • Register your entry online on this web page using the form below. If you don’t have an email address, a friend or relative may register on your behalf using their email; or call 908-558-2552 for assistance (weekdays).

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DELIVERING ARTWORK

Prepare artwork according to all requirements above.

Fill out the Artwork Label clearly and tape it securely on the back of 2D hanging art at lower right corner. For 3D free-standing artwork, tape label to the base. It may be attached lightly to 3D work.

Deliver artwork to UCNJ Union College, Scotch Plains campus, April 15, from 9 am – 12:30 pm.

After delivery, artwork shall not be removed from the exhibit until June 4, when staff signs out the artwork and hands it to the artist or artist’s representative.

Pick up your artwork on June 4, 12:30 to 3:30 pm, after the closing reception. To prevent damage to artworks, only staff will remove the artworks and each piece will be signed out.

Artwork awarded 1st place is automatically entered in the state-level NJ Senior Art Show and does not need to be picked up. County staff will store and transport 1st-place artworks to the state show in the fall.

For questions or assistance with registration, contact the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2552 (NJ Relay Service: 711) or email msturm@ucnj.org.

REGISTRATION / ENTRY FORM