Artistry in Bloom

Ocean County’s 49^th Annual Senior Citizens Art Exhibit, recently held at Ocean County College, Toms River, featured the county’s best and brightest artists in a host of mediums from oil painting to photography. This year there were 130 entries representing 19 different categories. The exhibit is organized by the Art Show Committee which includes representatives from Ocean County College, the senior art community, Ocean County Office of Senior Services and Ocean County Division of Cultural and Heritage Division. The committee assists in the planning of the show and the display of the individual pieces at the Fine Arts Theater at Ocean County College.

During the ceremony, Maria LaFace, Director of Ocean County Senior Services, and Ocean County Commissioner Jennifier Bacchione presented certificates to the 17 first‑place winners, all of whom now qualify to advance to the Annual New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor. Dr. Pamela J. Monaco of Ocean County College and Mary Jane Bavais, Director of Ocean County Parks and Recreation, also delivered remarks celebrating the artists’ achievements and the importance of arts programming in the community.

This year’s exhibit stood as a testament to the passion and dedication of Ocean County’s senior artists, whose work continues to inspire residents of all ages.