News from the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners
Shanel Y. Robinson, Commissioner Director Ÿ Doug Singleterry, Commissioner Deputy Director
Sara Sooy, Commissioner Ÿ Melonie Marano, Commissioner Ÿ Paul M. Drake, Commissioner
For Immediate Release
September 20, 2023
Somerset County Selects Fifteen Local Artists to Advance to 2023 State Senior Citizen Art Show
SOMERVILLE, NJ – Local artists were recently honored by the Somerset County Board of Commissioners, the Cultural & Heritage Commission and the Office on Aging and Disability Services for their contributions to the 2023 Senior Art Show. The exhibit, which featured artwork in sixteen media categories, was displayed in the atrium lobby of the County Administration Building in Somerville. Fifteen out of 39 artists were selected to advance to the 2023 State Senior Citizen Art Show, which will take place in East Windsor, NJ, beginning Sept. 30 through Oct. 26.
Somerset County Commissioners Melonie Marano and Paul M. Drake both attended the 2023 Senior Art Show reception to commend the winners for their artwork.
“It’s wonderful to see these amazing pieces of art as you walk through the building,” said Commissioner Paul M. Drake, liaison to the Office on Aging and Disability Services. “The artwork is stunning and diverse, and I’m looking forward to hearing who the finalists will be in the state art show.”
“The winners should feel proud they were selected. The competition was tough since all of the artwork submitted was above average,” said Commissioner Melonie Marano, liaison to Cultural & Heritage. “We are proud of the talent that will be representing the county in the state show.”
All of the art contributed by seniors is available to view in a virtual gallery on the Somerset County website.
Local artist Cathleen Thole, who has over 25 years of experience in illustration, graphic design, and commercial art instruction, selected fifteen winners from the “Professional” and “Non-professional” categories.
Winners of the “Professional” Category
The following nine artists won in the “Professional” category and will advance to the 2023 State Senior Citizen Art Show: Branchburg resident Leokadia Stanik, print, “Unexpected Visitors;” Bridgewater resident Terry Mayfield, mixed media, “Guardian of the Freedom Flame;” Hillsborough residents Wayne R. Mathisen, acrylic painting, “Sentinel Sycamores” and J. Michael Williams, photography, “Portrait of a Young Fox;” Manville resident Toni Marchick, oil painting, “Together;” Martinsville resident Donna Souren, watercolor, “Summer Lily at Buck Gardens;” Somerset residents Ed Caravana, digital, “Luminosity” and Frank Falotico, pastel, “Ebb and Flow;” and Warren resident Debbie Limoli, sculpture, “Something Sheepish.”
Winners of the “Non-Professional” Category
The following six artists won in the “Non-Professional” category: Basking Ridge resident Allan Luisi, photography, “Fall Classic;” Far Hills resident Kate Creegan, works on paper, “One Head.” Skillman residents Marian Knight, mixed media, “The Light House” and Hope Pepe, oil painting, “End of the Day;” Somerset resident Nick DeGaetano, acrylic painting “Baroness;” and Warren resident Alison Diner, pastel, “Bar Harbor Sunrise.”
About the 2023 Senior Art Show
The exhibit was co-sponsored by the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services and made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
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