FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County residents age 60 and over are invited to submit one piece of original, visual art in Monmouth County's annual 2010 Senior Citizen Art Contest and Exhibition. 

           

County residents may download the complete application packet from the county Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com/aging, pick up an application at the county's Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veteran's Interment Affairs at 21 Main St., Freehold, or request a copy be mailed to them by calling 732-431-7450. The deadline to submit a completed application is June 18. 

 

Artists who have professional or nonprofessional status are welcome. Categories in both divisions are acrylic, craft, computer imagery, drawing, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography (film, digital or other), print, sculpture and watercolor. Category specific information is included in the application packet.  

 

"Many of Monmouth County's older adults are creative and vibrant, and they have an opportunity to showcase their talents in this popular program again in 2010," said Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, liaison to the Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans' Interment Affairs. The agency coordinates Monmouth County's contest and exhibition each year. "I look forward to seeing all the types of creative efforts that will be on display in the library."

 

Entries will be on display in the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan from July 6 through July 30. Winners of the local competition will then go on to compete in a statewide senior citizen art contest sponsored by the New Jersey Association of Area Agencies on Aging. 

 

In 2009, 18 participants of last year's contest were selected to participate at the state level where six residents came up winners. Lola Adolf of Atlantic Highlands, Frank Colaguori of West Long Branch, Barbara Silvano of Middletown, and Michael Menendez, Mary-Elaine Smith and Marilyn Tarr of Freehold Township were recognized among the 230 entries in the professional and nonprofessional categories. Colaguori's entry was judged the overall Best in Show in the professional division. 

 

It is the third year in a row in which a Monmouth County resident won Best in Show in the professional division. 

 

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