Caldwell Artists Win Awards In Senior Citizen Competition

CALDWELL, NJ — Local artists from Caldwell, West Caldwell and Fairfield used their talents to earn awards in the 2017 Essex County Senior Citizens Juried Art Show.

According to Essex County officials, the annual art competition – which included entries from artists ages 60 and older – included winning submissions from:

• Robert Kaplan of Caldwell – Second place in the non-professional photography category for “Under the Fountain”
• Marcia Branca of West Caldwell - First place in the professional mixed media category for “Bouquet”
• Robert Szpila of Fairfield - First place in the professional photography category for “Hudson Terminal”

The artists were recognized during an awards ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at the Robert J. O'Toole Community Center in Essex County Cedar Grove Park.

“The talent displayed by our senior artists is truly amazing and the artwork is inspiring,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

Seniors whose artwork was awarded first place are automatically entered into the NJ Senior Citizens Art Show. The state exhibit will be on display at Meadow Lakes Senior Living, 300 Meadow Lakes, East Windsor, from Thursday, Sept. 21 to Thursday, Oct. 19. Viewing hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A closing reception and awards ceremony will be held Friday, Oct. 20 at 10:30 a.m.

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Photo: Essex County

Caption: (from left) Robert Szpila (represented by his wife Carmen) from Fairfield, Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., Marcia Branca from West Caldwell and Robert Kaplan from Caldwell