9 Freehold Seniors Garner Art Awards

Nine Freehold residents placed in the 2013 Monmouth County Senior Citizen Juried Art Contest and Exhibition.

The local artists were recognized at a reception and awards ceremony last week at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters.

"I am impressed with the diversity of talent demonstrated by our senior citizens,” said Freeholder Director John P. Curley, liaison to the county’s Office of Aging and Disabilities. “It was an honor to meet and share their public recognition and marvel at the quality of their artwork."

Monmouth County residents received first-, second-, third-place and honorable mention in 11 categories. The following Freehold residents were recognized:

• Alison Tave, The Poultry Farm, First Place in Nonprofessional Acrylic
• Carolyn Tischer Bartlet, Kent Falls, First Place in Professional Drawing
• Mary-Elaine Smith, Fleurs de la Lune, Second Place in Professional Mixed Media
• Riki Kleinman, The Coronation, First Place in Nonprofessional Mixed Media
• Barbara Bram, Victorian Splendor, Honorable Mention in Nonprofessional Mixed Media
• Joel Stern, At the Museum, First Place in Professional Oil
• Stephen Ravner, Kids at Sunset, Third Place in Professional Photography
• Michael Menendez, Morning View from the Revel, Honorable Mention in Photography
• Yachi Plan, The Baths, First Place in Nonprofessional Watercolor

Winning Best in Show were Nat Regan of Ocean Township in the professional category for his mixed media art “The Smoke,” and Marilyn Baldi of Tinton Falls in the nonprofessional category for her photograph entitled “I’ll Take Manhattan.”

A total of 61 Monmouth County seniors were recognized. Judges were Kathy Donnelly, James Kent and Ellen Martin of the Monmouth County Arts Council.

“It is a privilege to be able to showcase our senior art at the County library’s Manalapan location during the entire month of July,” Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso said. “These talented members of our community bring decades of experience to life through their artwork.”