Senior Art Show 2011 Results

Wow! We are all winners!

This year's contest is history and the broad participation of Mercer senior artists and community members have made it a truly memorable event.

Kudos to the Mercer County Office on Aging, Mercer County Division of Culture and Heritage, Mercer County Department of Human Services, and the Board of Chosen Freeholders for producing this year's successful Senior Art Show.

Mercer County Executive, Brian M. Hughes, pointed out that this was the second time in a week that the Freeholders had attended an art event. That is encouraging for us because funding for seniors is disappearing in so many areas.

Keeping our art alive is important for two reasons: it benefits self expression, of course, but also produces a legacy to pass on to succeeding generations. Seniors have unique perspectives that only come from years of experiences living in worlds that will never happen again.

With that in mind, it give me great pleasure to introduce this year's winners of the Mercer County Senior Art Show.

First Place and Best in Show: Terry Goldstein's work on paper titled "Pain".

First Place and Juror's Choice: Joan Birchenall's watercolor "Waiting for Passengers".

Oil Painting---
non-pro: First Place, Raj Oberol,"Quta-Minar Tower"
Honorable Mention, Judith Tallerman,"Isabella"
pro : First Place, Jean DePietro,"Lilacs in Silver Teapot"
Honorable Mention, Norman Fesmire,"Lucas"
Acrylic---
non-pro: First Place, Carol Johnson,"Senior Tea Party"
Honorable Mention, Gerri Butcher,"Serenity"
pro : First Place,Emily Chapman, "Amsterdam"
Honorable Mention, Jean Lyndall-O'Donnell, "Stardust"
Watercolor---
non-pro: First Place,Joan Birchenall, "Waiting for Passengers"
Honorable Mention, Kuen Liao,"Street"
pro : First Place,Jackie Wouwenberg,"Winter Meadow"
Honorable Mention, Suzanne Hunt,"Hoping Hopewell"
Photography---
non-pro: First Place, Joe Schmeitz, "NYC Skyline"
Honorable Mention, Anne Benedict,"Stowaway"
pro : First Place,Janice Montervino,"Faith"
Honorable Mention, Gerald Sternberg,"Halong Bay, Vietnam"
Works on Paper---
non-pro: First Place, Terry Goldstein, "Pain"
Honorable Mention, Frank Pastore, "Little John"
pro : First Place, Ming Ji,"Landscape"
Honorable Mention, Robert Allard,"Clinton Mill"
Craft---
non-pro: First Place, Ronald LeMahieu, "The Maize God"
Honorable Mention, Pauline Weber,"Victorian Tulips"
Mixed Media---
non-pro: First Place, Nancy Scott, "The View"
Honorable Mention, Ahuva Arie, "King David Playing the Lyre"

Special thanks to the Show Judge, Margaret Kennard Johnson. Her impressive resume includes Pratt Institute, University of Michigan, Black Mountain College, just for a start. I was told that she is also in her nineties! That makes her truly a find for our show. I am so sorry that I did not have the pleasure to meet her.

This was a beautifully presented show thanks to the combined efforts of Eileen Doremus, her staff, and the folks from Meadow Lakes. My notes from the reception are incomplete so I apologize for those hard workers and coordinators I have left out.

You know who you are and I speak for artists everywhere who would not be able to have a forum or platform or venue if it was not for your efforts. Your enthusiasm and support for our art show makes you key to our success.

One more thing, the winners of this show are now going to be heading to the State Show which will be also presented at Meadow Lakes. I will post details as them are available.

Senior Art Rocks!