The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce that 13 Union County artists have earned awards in the 60th annual New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show, including Cranford resident Janet DeMaio, whose drawing, “MLK, Jr.,” received Best of Show honors in the non-professional division.
The statewide exhibition features nearly 300 original works by professional and non-professional artists ages 60 and older from throughout New Jersey. Each work earned first place in its respective county art show before advancing to the state exhibition. Twenty Union County artists are represented in this year’s show.
“Congratulations to all of our Union County artists whose work earned a place in this statewide exhibition, and to the 13 artists recognized with awards,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. “Their work reflects the talent, imagination and dedication of our older residents. We are proud to provide opportunities for them to share their creativity with the community, and we encourage residents to visit the exhibit and celebrate their accomplishments.”
In addition to her Best of Show distinction, DeMaio received first place in the non-professional Works on Paper category. The full list of Union County award recipients is:
- Janet DeMaio, Cranford: Best of Show, Non-Professional; First Place, Works on Paper, Non-Professional.
- Gesine Ehlers, Westfield: First Place, Mixed Media, Professional.
- Toru Ishiyama, Cranford: First Place, Mixed Media, Non-Professional.
- Igor Zbrizher, Cranford: First Place, Printmaking, Non-Professional.
- Veronica Dunscombe, New Providence: Second Place, Sculpture, Professional.
- William Gardner, Winfield: Second Place, Digital Art, Non-Professional.
- Kathryn Keller, Springfield: Third Place, Craft, Professional.
- Bruce Tangowski, Elizabeth: Third Place, Watercolor, Non-Professional.
- Chas Bernstein, Mountainside: Honorable Mention, Craft, Non-Professional.
- Gregory Celikyol, Cranford: Honorable Mention, Photography, Non-Professional.
- Robert Cleary, Fanwood: Honorable Mention, Photography, Professional.
- Rich Coccia, Cranford: Honorable Mention, Oil Painting, Non-Professional.
- Marie Gerus, Rahway: Honorable Mention, Acrylics, Non-Professional.
The public is invited to view the New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show through November 4 in the main building of Meadow Lakes Senior Living, located at 300 Meadow Lakes in East Windsor. Visiting hours are Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Groups of six or more should call Meadow Lakes in advance at 609-448-4100.
The exhibition is co-sponsored by Mercer County’s Division of Culture and Heritage and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.