Five Area Residents Win County Artwork Awards

Five residents of The Caldwells were among the 30 area artists who were recognized Wednesday by Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., at the annual Essex County Senior Citizens Juried Art Show at the Essex County Hospital Center in Cedar Grove.

"I congratulate the winners and all the artists who participated in this year's Senior Art Show. The talent displayed by our senior artists is truly amazing and the artwork is inspiring," DiVincenzo said.

"Essex County has a thriving fine arts community and our Senior Art Show enables our older residents, both professionals and non-professionals, to display their original creations where the public can see them. This is an excellent event for us to promote the arts and inspire our residents to use their talents."

Among the award winners was North Caldwell residents Carmel Bongiovanni, who won first place in the professional mixed media category for "Red Horizontal Oval #6," and Phyllis Huggett, who won second place in the professional mixed media category for "My Grandmother's House."

West Caldwell resident Sandy Grossman won second place in the non-professional pastel painting category for "Reflections." She also received an honorable mention in the non-professional pastel painting category for "Spring."

Wil Nelson, also from West Caldwell, received an honorable mention in the non-professional oil painting category for "New Hope."

Caldwell resident Robert Kaplan received an honorable mention in the non-professional photography category for "Mother and Child, ChiChi Castenango, Guatemala."

There were 94 pieces of artwork entered into this year's contest. The artwork will be on display at the Essex County Hospital until Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.

Artists who received first-place awards are eligible to have their artwork entered into the New Jersey State Senior Citizens Art Show, which will be from Sept. 27 to Oct. 28 in East Windsor.

The Essex County Senior Art Show and Exhibit was open to all professional and non-professional artists ages 60 and older. Artwork was judged on originality, composition, style, quality and creativity.

"I am delighted to see such great artwork created by our senior residents," Freeholder Patricia Sebold said. "This is such a wonderful program that keeps our senior citizens active and involved in the community."