Union County employee artists show work at Freeholders Gallery in Elizabeth

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announce that a selection of prize-winning art work by Union County employees and their family members is on display through July 14, 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 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

The art display presents a select sampling of 15 pieces from among the 132 creations judged at the recent 14th 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 Mohamed Jalloh. "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 5th 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: Susan Anderson (First Place, Professional); Ryan Frees (First Place, Amateur). Cranford: Christina Barlik (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18); Angelina Spricigo (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Dianna Strom (Third Place, Intermediate). Edison: Richa Wadhawan (Third Place, Teen 13-18). Elizabeth: Shane Rhodes (Third Place, Youth 12 and Under); Al Sanchez (Honorable Mention, Amateur). Fanwood: Tom Plante (Second Place, Amateur). Hillsborough: James Caratozzolo (Third Place, Amateur). Hillside: Nasrene Mondol (Honorable Mention, Amateur). Jackson: Grace Hagemann (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under). Kenilworth: Jim Lowney (Second Place, Professional). Linden: Christine Marti-Millward (Second Place, Youth 12 and Under); Mumtaz Mekhaiel (Honorable Mention, Professional); Adrianna Rendon (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18); Victoria Rendon (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Martinsville: Kayla Stasil (First Place, Youth 12 and Under). North Bergen: Gabriella Marino (Best in Show, Teen 13-18). Old Bridge: Allana McQueen (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18). Rahway: Gavin Cederquist (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Arianna Lespinasse (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Gabriella Lynch (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under). Roselle Park: Kennedy Taveras (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Miranda Taveras (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under); Sophia Taveras (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under). Scotch Plains: Rich Palmatier (First Place, Intermediate); Charles Rubin (Honorable Mention, Intermediate). Somerset: Tina Nummela (Honorable Mention, Intermediate). Summit: Patzy Gutierrez (Third Place, Teen 13-18). Westfield: John Beil (Honorable Mention, Intermediate); Brianna Cesaro (First Place, Teen 13-18); Victoria Paparella (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18); Barbara Uhr, (Third Place, Professional); Eileen Willoughby (Second Place, Intermediate).

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 St., Elizabeth NJ 07202. Telephone: 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711. Or send email to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org