Springfield Local's Art On Display In Union County Gallery

SPRINGFIELD, NJ – A Springfield local was among the chosen prize winning artworks created by Union County employees and their family members that are on display in the Union County Freeholders Gallery.

Kat Block was awarded best in show in the professional category.

The artwork will be on display through July 10 at the gallery located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building, at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

The exhibit presents 17 pieces selected from among the 162 works judged at the recent 17th Annual National Arts Program Exhibit for County of Union Employees. The full exhibit was on display at Liberty Hall Center through May 22 in partnership with Elizabethtown Gas and the National Arts Program Foundation, which provides prizes and support for artists from all walks of life.

“The works on display at the Administration Building demonstrate the rich diversity of Union County with an inspiring range of creative emotion, imagination and skill," said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

Including the 17 works at the Freeholders Gallery, the following artists received prizes from the Annual National Arts Program (listed alphabetically by municipality):

• Berkeley Heights: Linda Brazaitis (Third Place, Intermediate) and Sergei Kent (Honorable Mention, Amateur)
• Clark: Ryan Frees (First Place, Amateur)
• Cranford: Dianna Strom (Honorable Mention, Professional)
• Edison: Ruth Brown (Honorable Mention, Professional)
• Elizabeth: Alessandra Alma (First Place, Professional), Natalie Barrueco (Honorable Mention, Intermediate), Natalie Gregorio (Honorable Mention, Intermediate), Thomas Osorio (First Place, Youth 12 and Under) and Dario Scholis (Second Place, Professional)
• Garwood: Sophia Malcolm (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under) and Kelly Sullivan (Honorable Mention, Amateur)
• Georgetown: Judith Gault (Honorable Mention, Amateur) and Tatiana Gault (Art Education Award, Teen 13-18)
• Hillsborough: James Caratozzolo (Honorable Mention, Amateur)
• Hillside: Ivelisse Inglefield (Second Place, Youth 12 and Under)
• Jersey City: Hadieh Afshani (First Place, Professional)
• Leonardo: Eryn Knapp (Second Place, Teen 13-18)
• Linden: Charisse Cosby-Hurling (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under) and Christine Marti-Millward (Art Education Award, Teen 13-18)
• Monroe: Richa Wadhawan (First Place, Teen 13-18) and Rishabh Wahaden (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18)
• Old Bridge: Allana McQueen (Third Place, Teen 13-18)
• Rahway: Arianna Lespinasse (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under) and Danni Newbury (Honorable Mention, Intermediate)
• Roselle: Anthony Waldmann (Honorable Mention, Teen 13-18)
• Scotch Plains: Kyree Brown-Cook (Honorable Mention, Youth 12 and Under), Marilyn Espinoza (Third Place, Professional), Debra Livingston (Honorable Mention, Professional) and Niyati Shah (Third Place, Youth 12 and Under)
• Somerset: Tiina Nummela (Third Place, Amateur)
• Springfield: Kat Block (Best in Show, Professional)
• Summit: Jeffrey Hankinson (Second Place, Amateur)
• Westfield: Mary Paynter (Honorable Mention, Professional), Shane Strano (Second Place, Intermediate) and Barbara Uhr (Honorable Mention, Professional)

Exhibits at the Freeholders Gallery are coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

For more information about this exhibit and other programs and services related to the arts and Union County history, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at culturalinfo@ucnj.org or call 908-558-2550 (Relay users dial 711).

(Image via Union County)

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