West
Windsor, N.J. - The Gallery at Mercer County Community College
announced the award winners for "Mercer County Artists
2011" at an Opening Reception Mar. 9. The exhibit,
which runs through April 7, features 120 works by 95 artists
who live, work or study in Mercer County. The pieces were
selected from 240 entries by this year's juror, Janet Hunt,
the owner and director of Coryell Gallery, located in Lambertville.
Hunt has been a key figure in the arts community of central
New Jersey for decades.
According
to Gallery Curator/Director Tricia Fagan, the exhibit features
approximately 80 two-dimensional works and 40 three-dimensional
works. Most art media are represented, including oils, watercolors,
charcoal, ceramics, wood, handmade paper, acrylics and mixed
media. One-quarter of the artists selected are newcomers.
This
annual exhibit is a collaboration between the college and
the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission. The Gallery
is located on the second floor of the Communications Building
on Mercer's West
Windsor campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road.
Addressing
the artists at the awards ceremony, Fagan extolled them for
their beautiful art. "Without all of you, our lives would
be much less colorful."
Mercer
County Freeholder Andrew Koontz, who holds a degree in Fine
Arts from New York University, added his words of appreciation.
"I know how much hard work and how many hours this represents.
On behalf of the county, we thank you for providing this educational
opportunity for students at the college."
Winner
of the Utrecht Art Supplies Best in Show Award was Al Aronson,
of Princeton, for his acrylic abstract, "Planar."
Aronson received a generous gift certificate from Utrecht
Art Supplies, located in Cranbury. An MCCC alumnus, Aronson
pursued his associate degree in Fine Arts in the 1970s, while
working days as an aerospace engineer. Now retired from his
career in engineering, he is pursuing his art with a passion.
The two
Juror's Choice Awards went to Harold Popowitz, of East Windsor,
for "Presence," an acrylic on masonite, and Larry
Chestnut, of Hamilton, for his oil painting, "Autumn
Transition #2." Chestnut, a former graphic designer,
now paints full time. "It's what I want to do,"
he said, noting that painting requires physical stamina and
he is doing it "while the sun is still shining."
Honorable
Mentions were awarded to six artists including: Mic Boekelmann,
of Princeton, for her charcoal drawing, "Inner Strength";
Dee Gozonsky, of West Windsor, for her watercolor, "River
Bank"; Charles McCollough, of Hopewell, for his elm wood
sculptures, "Grounded Pig" and "Flying Horse";
Maxine Shore, of East Windsor, for "Central Park Shade";
Mary Waltham, of Princeton, for her oil painting, "Haymaking";
and Susan Winter, of Hightstown, for her oil painting, "On
the Wall."
Winners
of Purchase Prizes, selected by representatives from the Mercer
County Cultural and Heritage Commission, are Larry Chestnut
for "Autumn Transition #2" (his second prize); Bill
Plank, of Lawrenceville, for his watercolor, "Exiles";
and Susan Winter for "On the Wall (her second prize).
Winners
of awards from the West Windsor Arts Council included Katarzyna
Iwaniec for her oil painting, "Pink Table," and
Ronald W. LeMahieu for his raku-fired ceramic, "Trio,"
and mosaic "Skull/Black & White."
The artists
selected for the show turned out in droves, both to celebrate
their own participation and to view the works of other artists
in the local community. Award winner Mary Waltham noted that
artists work in isolation. "To be selected is an affirmation
of what we're doing. You need that occasionally. And it's
great to come out and see what other artists are doing."
Originally from the United Kingdom, Waltham said she was given
a choice in high school to study either art or science. She
chose science then, but has been fully devoted to art for
the past five years. Mostly self-taught, she is delighted
and inspired to be part of the exhibit.
Award
winner Dee Gozonsky, a retired art teacher, was also thrilled
with the exhibit. "The work is exemplary and outstandingly
diverse. This show was wonderfully juried," she said.
For a complete list of artists featured in the show, click
here.
Now in
its 39th year, the Mercer County Artists show continues to
feature some of the region's most talented artists. Works
in all media except for photography (which is featured in
a separate county show) are exhibited by both well-established
and emerging artists. This exhibit is supported, in part,
by the Mercer County Cultural & Heritage Commission, through
a grant from the Mercer County Board of Freeholders and the
New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State.
Gallery
hours for the show are: Mondays, 6 to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, 11a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.;
and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call
(609) 570-3589 or visit the Gallery
website.
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Among
the attendees at the Awards Reception were, from left,
artist Larry Chestnut, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes,
Gallery Director Tricia Fagan, and County Director of
the Office of Economic Development and Sustainability
Liz Maher Muoio. |
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