Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission Accepting Applications for 2025 Senior Art Show

The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission is accepting applications for its juried 2025 Senior Art Show. To be eligible, artists must be Somerset County residents and at least 60 years of age. Acceptable artwork mediums include acrylics, oils, pastels, watercolors, crafts, digital/computer art, mixed media, works on paper, photography, and sculpture. The deadline for registration and submission is Monday, July 14.

“Our senior residents have tremendous talent and Somerset County is proud to showcase their amazing artwork,” said Somerset County Commissioner Deputy Director Melonie Marano, liaison to the Cultural & Heritage Commission. “Last year, 19 outstanding artists were selected to move on to the state competition. Two participants were over 100 years old, which proves that creativity can spark at any age. This contest is a great way for older adult artists to receive recognition.”

Shown here is artwork from 2024 Senior Art Show Winners Ed Caravana for “Electric Dream"

It Is Never Too Late to Create

“Entering the Somerset County Senior Art Show was a wonderful opportunity to showcase my passion for digital art,” said Ed Caravana, who received First Place for Digital Art in the County Senior Art Show. “I have been exploring the convergence of art and technology since retirement, so winning was an amazing affirmation that it's never too late to learn, grow, and create."

“Winning is an amazing feeling. It’s a great honor to win, of course, but the juice is being among talented artists and having my work seen,” said Franne Demetrician who received First Place for Pastels in the County Senior Art Show. “Our art tells people that we are still busy, relevant, and we are not as invisible as many of us sometimes feel.”

2025 Somerset County Senior Art Show Guidelines

The artwork will be displayed from Aug. 1 to Sept. 8 in the Cultural & Heritage Gallery, located at the Somerset County Administration Building on 20 Grove St., Somerville, NJ and will be available virtually on the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage website.

First-place winners of the 2025 Somerset County Senior Art Show will compete at the 2025 New Jersey State Senior Art Show. The state art show exhibit will take place at the Meadow Lakes Senior Center in East Windsor from Sept. 29 to Nov. 6, and virtually on the state’s website at njseniorarts.com.

Application Process and Submission Guidelines

• To register for the art show, applicants must complete an online application form.

• Applicants who wish to display their artwork in the virtual gallery or potentially feature their artwork on promotional materials must submit a digital image of their artwork using the online form.
• Only one photo per piece of artwork will be accepted.
• Artwork must have been completed within the past three years (April 2022 to 2025).
• Artwork previously shown in the Somerset County Senior Art Show will not be accepted.

If applicants experience issues submitting their artwork, contact the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Office at 908-203-6145 or email CulturalHeritage@co.somerset.nj.us.

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About Somerset County

The County of Somerset is committed to excellence and innovation in public service, promoting the well-being of all residents and communities by providing effective, efficient, and responsive leadership.

About the Somerset County 2025 Senior Art Show

The senior art show exhibit is cosponsored by the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services and made possible by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

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