Theresa Pfarr of Ewing, NJ, Best In Show winner for "Onslaught"
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Nine artists from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California were awarded prizes during the Artists and Members Reception for Ellarslie Open 43 on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion. The Juror of the annual juried show, Adam Welch, is Executive Director of the Arts Council of Princeton.
Ellarslie Open 43 showcases diverse works across the genres by artists of the greater Trenton and Bucks County areas and throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, plus one each from Virgina, Michigan, and California. After selecting the show's 127 exhibiting pieces from 634 entries, Welch said, "Serving as juror for the 43rd Ellarslie Open was an honor and a formidable challenge. The range of genres, materials, perspectives, and approaches represent the vitality and diversity of today's creative practices."
Amid some 250 attendees, plus board members, committee members, and hospitality volunteers of Trenton Museum Society, the organization's President Deborah Gorczycki and board member Sarah Unger, coordinators of the show, welcomed the crowd and delivered the awards, most of which had been selected by the juror. The event's final award, Best in Show, went to artist Theresa Pfarr of Ewing, NJ, for her expressive, large-scale painting, "Onslaught."
In addition to Theresa Pfarr's Best in Show, the award winners were: Zoe Hansen, Bayville, NJ, Digital Art award for "Rise Above the Currents"; Helene Condouris, Long Branch, NJ, Painting award for "Union Lake"; Charles Plohn, Skillman, NJ, Photography award for "Summer – Cranbury, New Jersey"; Jesse Brink, a Bucks County native now of Los Angeles, CA, Sculpture award for "The Brilliance of the Cloudless Day"; William Hogan, Lower Makefield, PA, Works on Paper award for the intricate black ink on white board "Iterations"; John Styner, Levittown, PA, Risk Taker's Award (selected by sponsor Carolyn Stetson) for the high relief painting "Arid Uplift" of acrylic paste, pigment, and embedded stone; Robert Kellett, Monmouth Junction, NJ, President's Award for the painting "Walkabout"; and Marina Ahun, Princeton, NJ, Installation Award (selected by sponsors Carol Hill and Patricia Allen) for the painting "Twilight." The new People's Choice award winner, for which museum goers are encouraged to cast their vote when they visit, will be announced at the show's closing September 6, 2026.
In addition to the show's 127 exhibition pieces are more than 100 flat, unframed works including prints, small paintings, and works on paper by exhibitors and finalists alike in the EO portfolio show. All exhibiting pieces and portfolio pieces are available for purchase.
The 2026 edition of the Ellarslie Open is on view in the museum and in an online gallery (ellarslie.org/eo43) through September 6. The Juror's Talk is Sunday, July 19, from 10:00am-12:00pm. The Artists' Gallery Walk, during which artists give 5-minute mini-talks along a stroll through the show, is Sunday, August 9, from 2:00pm-4:00pm. Reserve for both at ellarslie.org/events. Trenton City Museum is open Thursdays through Saturdays, noon to 4:00pm, and Sundays, 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
Located in Trenton's Cadwalader Park, Trenton City Museum is accessible by car from Parkside Ave. and has ample, accessible parking alongside the museum. It is open Thursdays through Saturdays, 12 to 4 p.m.; Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee to view the museum's art and history exhibitions, but donations are welcomed. Trenton City Museum is housed in Ellarslie Mansion, an 1848 Italianate Villa on the National Historic Register. The surrounding Cadwalader 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, ongoing and changing history displays that explore Trenton's rich industrial and cultural past and hosts numerous community events and family workshops year-round.
Gathered for the Ellarslie Open 43 Artists and Members Reception June 6 at Trenton City Museum are, L-R, award winners Theresa Pfarr, Best in Show; Jesse Brink, Sculpture; Marina Ahun, Installation Award; Robert Kellett, President's Award; John Styner, Risk Taker's Award; Charles Plohn, Photography; Helene Condouris, Painting; William Hogan, Works on Paper; Zoe Hansen, Digital Art.
