The Work Party: Biplane and Blue Truck in Green by David Orban of Hamilton, NJ was named Best in Show for Ellarslie Open 40
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Seventeen of 109 exhibiting artists received awards during the June 24 Artists and Members Reception for the 40th Ellarslie Open at Trenton City Museum. This year’s edition of the annual juried exhibition showcases 150 artworks by artists from greater Trenton and throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. All of the artwork is available for purchase in the museum or online through September 30, 2023.
From the veranda of the museum, Trenton Museum Society’s Joan Perkes, Deborah Oliver, and Sarah Unger; Juror Reggie Browne; and Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and City Council Vice President Crystal Feliciano delivered welcoming remarks and announced awards. The top winner was David Orban of Hamilton, NJ, whose painting “The Work Party: Biplane and Blue Truck in Green” was named Best in Show.
Category award recipients were Abigail Johnson, Princeton, NJ, for Digital Art; Patricia Hutchinson, Belmar, NJ, for Painting; John Slavin, Holland, PA, for photography; Carol Magner, Yardley, PA, for Sculpture; Bill Donnelly, Southampton, PA, for Works on Paper. A complete list of award winners is posted at ellarslie.org/eo40/
“I am a fan of a wide range of objects of art,” said juror Reggie Browne. “Over my continued period of observation and collecting art, my interest spans the range of abstraction, figurative, landscapes and sculpture. I was impressed by the large number of landscapes introduced by the artists for inclusion in the Ellarslie Open 40. Clearly, some artists are as moved as I am by the beauty of the Central New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania areas.”
Mary Yess, who conceived of and coordinated the first Ellarslie Open in 1982, said in exhibition materials, “When I cooked up the idea for the Ellarslie Open, I had hoped it would turn into an annual event, but little did I think it would turn into the incredible show it has become.”
Ellarslie Open 40 will remain on view in the museum and in an online gallery and store through September 30, with a related Juror’s talk to take place in September, date to be announced. Trenton City Museum is open Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 4:00pm, and Sundays, 1:00pm to 4:00pm. While there is no admission charge, donations in support of the museum’s mission and programs are welcomed.
Ellarslie Open 40 Award Winners
Doug Palmer Best In Show Award, David Orban, The Work Party: Biplane and Blue Truck in Green
Mel Leipzig Painting Award, Patricia Hutchinson, Mary and Brandon
Sculpture Award in Memory of Frank Weeden, Carol Magner, Reverie
Diane Ciccone and Kali MacMillan Photography Award, John Slavin, Bonneville
Kerry Perretta Award for Works on Paper, Bill Donnelly, Lichen on granite #2
Digital Art Award, sponsored by Hunter Research, Abigail Johnson, Colony/Collapse
Watercolor Award in Memory of Robert Sakson, Laura Beard, Stick in the Mud
Phoenix Art Supplies Abstract Art Award, James Dupree, Valley of the Gods, Self Portrait
Stephen Bruce Award for Excellence in Unique Materials, Robin Brownfield, Out There
Carolyn Stetson Risk Takers Award, Marge Miccio, Ghosts of Factories Past
Alpha Kappa Alpha Award for Florals, Pat Proniewski, Love Token
Deborah Gorczycki Portraiture Award, Rob Cuff, Scarlet Messenger
Michael and Sarah Unger Seascape Award, Arleen Freed, The View
Susan Luty Sculpture Award, Nancy Gibbs, Sunset in the Smokies
Curator’s Award, sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama, Philip Carroll, The Harvest
President’s Award, sponsored by Joan Perkes and Harry Georgeson, Asia Dodina and Slava Polischuk
Lawrence Stein Award for a First-Time Ellarslie Open Exhibitor, Scot Wittman
Trenton City Museum is housed in Ellarslie Mansion, an 1848 Italianate Villa on the National Historic Register, located in the heart of Trenton’s Cadwalader Park. The historic and popular park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed such landmarks as New York City’s Central Park. The museum showcases exhibitions of contemporary fine art and ongoing and changing displays that explore Trenton’s rich industrial and cultural history. It offers spoken word and music performances, as well as education programs for all ages. The members of the Trenton Museum Society work closely with the City of Trenton to support the museum’s operations and programming. Throughout 2023 the Society is commemorating its 50th anniversary, capped by a celebration Thursday, October 19.
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