PHOTOS BY JIM BULLARD Above: Mixed-media artist Hira Beltangdi of East Brunswick, winner in the county and state art contests, is congratulated by Freeholder Director David B. Crabiel (from left), Freeholder Ronald G. Rios and County Administrator John A. Pulomena. Beltangdi’s work also won first place in the state contest. Left: Allie Skislak of East Brunswick took first in the county contest and second at the state. Six senior citizens from Middlesex County were among the winners of the 42nd annual New Jersey State Senior Citizens Annual Juried Art Contest and Exhibition.
Their works, submitted by the Middlesex County Department on Aging, and the works of other winners from throughout the state are being displayed through Sept. 25 at the Hunterdon County Complex, Building No. 1, Route 12 in Flemington. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
“We are so very happy that the talent of our senior artists has been recognized and will be viewed by residents from throughout the state,” said Freeholder Blanquita B. Valenti, chairwoman of the county’s Human and Services and Aging Committee. “I congratulate the winners and all those whose work was represented at the state level.”
Hira Beltangdi of East Brunswick took first place in the nonprofessional mixedmedia category; Allie Skislak of East Brunswick took second place in the nonprofessional drawing category; Fran Nimeck of South Brunswick took second place in the professional print category; Gerald Gitlitz of East Brunswick won an honorable mention in the professional craft category; Robert Heyer of Monroe Township won an honorable mention in the professional Watercolor category; and Margaret McCrary-Anderson of Piscataway won an honorable mention in the professional oil category.
The six had previously won first-place awards in the Middlesex County Department on Aging Senior Art Contest in July. Some 111 professional and non-professional artists participated in the county event; 17 works went on to the state contest.
For information on the state exhibition, including times, days and directions, call 908-788-1361.