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 11 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 133 creations judged at the recent 16th 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 of all ages.
“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 3rd 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: Ryan Frees (First Place, Amateur); Tegan Frees (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Lucas Origliato (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Olivia Origliato (First Place, Youth 12 and Under). Cranford: Christina Barlik (Second Place, Teen 13-18); Spencer Hargiss (First Place, Amateur); Elizabeth Illing (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Betty Ann Kelly (Honorable Mention, Intermediate). Elizabeth: Brianna & Elianna Borga (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Emil Bustamante (Honorable Mention, Amateur); and Dario Scholis (First Place, Professional). Freeland: Ali McKittrick (Third Place, Intermediate); Seyona McKittrick (Third Place, Teen 13-18). Garwood: Sophia Malcolm (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); and Kelly Sullivan (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Georgetown: Judith Gault (Honorable Mention, Amateur) and Tatiana Gault (Art Education Award, Teen 13-18). Hillside: Abraham H. Feria (Honorable Mention, Amateur) and Femi Muftau (Third Place, Youth 12 and Under). Kenilworth: Maria Anderson (Honorable Mention, Intermediate). Leonardo: Eryn Knapp (First Place, Teen 13-18). Linden: Charisse Cosby-Hurling (Second Place, Youth 12 and Under) and Christine Marti-Millward (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Manalapan: Alyssa & Bianco Capolupo (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Monroe: Richa Wadhawan (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). North Bergen: Gabriella Marino (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Old Bridge: Allana McQueen (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Piscataway: Shelley Morgan (Second Place, Amateur). Rahway: Donna Farrell (Third Place, Amateur); Gabriella Lynch (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Danni Newbury (Second Place, Intermediate); Christina Wilson (Second Place, Professional); and Eleanor Wilson-Newbury (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under). Scotch Plains: Charles Rubin (Best in Show, Intermediate). Summit: Agnieszka Solawa (Honorable Mention, Professional). Towson: Molly McGuire (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Westfield: Mary K. Bannworth (Honorable Mention, Intermediate); Gina Minichino (Third Place, Professional); Angelo Paparella (Honorable Mention, Professional) and Mary Paynter (Honorable Mention, 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