2012 Results of NJ Senior Art Show: Huzzah!

Mercer County Artists defy category and description.  This year's exhibition of Senior Citizen artists showed an amazing range of imagination, inspiration, and ingenuity.  Sometimes it takes a lifetime of experience to provide such a rich depth to artistic expression. Its not that we feel superior to those youngsters struggling to find their voice, its just that we are so bursting with life stories that we don't know where to start!

Many senior recreation centers give older adults their first lessons in art; sometimes art comes from just dabbling and doodling with pen or brush.  However it happens, the Mercer County Senior Art Show gives everyone an opportunity to show their final results. Show exhibits are divided into both professional and non-professional categories so that the competition continues to encourage "Sunday painters".

The Mercer County Senior Art Show is presented each year by the Office on Aging/Department of Human Services, the Division of Culture and Heritage of Mercer County, and with the auspices of the County Executive Brian Hughes.  This year's show was elegantly hosted by the Springpoint Foundation at Meadow Lakes in Hightstown, New Jersey.

The winners from this year's Mercer County Show will go on to the statewide show in the fall. Kate Somers, the jurist for this year's county show, has over 20 years experience and is currently the curator of the Bernstein Gallery at Princeton University.  Somers remarked that her choices for this year's prize winners "resonated---each for a different reason."

We are proud to list the winners:

Acrylics--Non Professional

1.   Beth K. Wham, "2011's Hot Models"
2.   Frank M. Scarpati, "Roses"

Craft--Non Professional

1.  Sue S. Chiu, "Lidded Basket Jar"  clay craft
2.  Katheryn Deguire, "Homage to Judy Stein" stained glass

Mixed Media--Non Professional

1.  Ahuva Arie, "The Balcony" collage
2.  Mary S. Johnson, "The Crocodile" mixed media

Oils--Non Professional

1.  Richard Snarski, "Peter's Pool" oil
2.  Norman Fesmire, "Sam" oil

Photography--Non Professional

1.  Judy Filipponi, "Biding Time in the Village" digital photography
2.  Anne Benedict, "The Great Egret is Landing" photography

Photography--Professional

1.  Gerald P. Sternberg, "Tree of Life" photography
2.  Walt Varan, "Untitled" photography

Watercolors--Professional

1.  Suzanne M. Hunt, "It's a Hoot" watercolor
2.  Margaret Rosen, "Prism"  watercolor and ink

Watercolors--Non Professional

1.  Terry Goldstein, "Village on the Hill" watercolor/gouache
2.  Huiyi Huang, "Longlife & Happiness" watercolor

Works on Paper--Professional

1.  Victoria Chu Moy, "Caryatid" Conte pencil
2.  Robert Allard, "West Creek Chair house" pencil

Works on Paper--Non Professional

1.  David T. Potts, "The Sea Maiden" pen and ink
2.  Ming Ji, "Lakeside", Chinese ink

Special awards were presented to the following artists for their extraordinary efforts.

Best in Show:

*Frank Snarski, "Peter's Pool" oil

County Special Mention:

*Manfred Peil, "Untitled" pen and ink

Mercer County Intern's Award:

*David Potts, "The Sea Maiden" pen and ink

Wow! This show was terrific and everyone who participated deserves applause for a job well done.

Seniors rock!