Essex County is inviting all senior citizens over the age of 60 to participate in the 2023 Essex County Senior Citizens Juried Art Show and Exhibition. All senior citizen artists, non-professional and professional, are invited by Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. to submit artwork to the county by Tuesday, August 15 to be considered for the show. 
“Essex County has a thriving arts community and our Senior Art Show enables our older residents, both professionals and non-professionals, to display their original creations where everyone can see them,” DiVincenzo said. “This is an excellent means for us to promote the arts and inspire our residents to use their talents. I encourage our seniors to submit their work and invite our residents to visit the Art Show,” he added.
In order to be considered for the show, participants must be at least 60 years old and a resident of Essex County to participate. To qualify as a professional artist would have to meet at least two of the following conditions: have sold their art through commercial channels including craft fairs, have shown their artwork in professional galleries or professional art exhibits for two or more years, have had their work selected in two or more juried art or craft shows, have received two or more awards for their work or have a professional membership in a guild or association. Those who do not meet at least two of the above guidelines are considered non-professional artists but are still encouraged to submit their artwork for the show.
Seniors can submit two entries of original artwork that were completed within the last three years. Artwork must be matted, mounted or framed, with screw eyes and wire attached. Hanging artwork may be no larger than 30 inches in any dimension or smaller than 10 inches in any dimension. Sculpture or 3-D crafts cannot exceed 20 inches in any dimension.
Awards will be presented in the following categories, without exceptions: acrylics, craft, digital, mixed media, oils, pastel, photography, print, sculpture, watercolor and works on paper, or drawings. First place winners will be eligible to participate in the New Jersey Senior Art Contest.
All photographs of the artwork must be clearly labeled with the artist’s name, address, title of work, medium, date created, size, professional or non-professional status and approximate value of the painting.
For more information or to submit an application, visit www.essexcountynj.org or contact Jackie Matthews at 973-735-6228 or jmatthews@parks.essexcountynj.org.