Seniors Citizen Artists Sought

Senior citizens from throughout Essex County are invited to show their creative side at Essex County’s free annual senior citizen art show.

The contest is open to residents over the age of 60. Artists are allowed to submit up to two pieces of original art work done in the last three years in one of 11 categories: acrylic, craft, computer imagery, drawing, mixed media/collage/assemblage, oil, print, pastel, photography, sculpture or watercolor/gouache.

Applications are due Aug. 1 and the show will take place between Aug. 23 and Sept. 16 at the Essex County Hospital Center in Cedar Grove.

First and second place awards will be given out in each category at an awards ceremony starting at 10 a.m. on Aug. 26.

 “There is a thriving arts community in Essex County and our Senior Art Show enables our older residents, both professionals and non-professionals, to display their original creations where everyone can see them,” said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo. “This is an excellent means for us to promote the arts and inspire our residents to use their talents.”

All artwork must be delivered to the hospital center on Grove Street by Aug. 22 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. matted, mounted or framed with screw eyes and wire attached. The piece must be clearly marked with the artist’s name, address, title of work, medium, date painted, size, professional or non-professional status, and approximate value of the painting, with the name of the insurance company if it is privately insured.

To be judged as a professional artist, the senior must have sold their art through commercial channels, have had their work exhibited in a professional gallery or held professional membership in a guild or association.

The first place winners will be eligible for New Jersey State Senior Citizen Art Show; an art show, which has been given a co-sponsorship grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts has awarded a co-sponsorship grant to the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs for the past 10 years.

In the 2010 Essex County Senior Citizen Juried Art Show there were 94 art submissions and 30 winners awarded.