The Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College of South Jersey hosted the 2024 Gloucester County Senior Citizen Art Show Awards ceremony on Aug. 7.
Held in the College Center, the ceremony recognized the artistic achievements of senior citizens from across the county.
The ceremony featured a special presentation by Gloucester County Commissioner and Senior Services liaison Jim Jefferson. In his address, Jefferson expressed his gratitude to all participants.
“Today is about recognizing our winners,” he said.
Artists from various towns across the county were recognized for work in different categories, categorized by medium and skill level, either professional or nonprofessional. To be eligible, submissions had to be created within the last three years by residents 60 or older. Among the winners were:
- Clayton: Nalini Jain
- Glassboro: Rich Gess
- Mantua: Jane Mayer
- Mullica Hill: Kathleen Turner, Edla DeFay, Leda Manfre, Richard Hughes, Joan Boarts, Sal Clark Massimino, Eileen Ziegler
- Pitman: Jane Mack, Janet Kalapos, Charlotte Ryan
- Sewell: Nicholas Grassia, Frank Stauss, Linda Silver, Marie Fickenscher, Donna Turner
- Swedesboro: Patricia Acton, Nancie Merritt
- Turnersville: Jan Narducci, Marc Narducci, Catherine Root
- Washington Twp: Cathy Matos, Carlos Matos, Mary Stauss
- West Deptford: Guillermina Martin, Cass Vitale, Guy DiGiugno, Ron Morella, Gabriele Villa, Merrilee Chappell, Barbara Wright, Amelia Valentino, Diane Sweeney
- Williamstown: Sharon Coyle, Nancy Rodney, Patricia Acton, Annemarie Pondo, Rekha Chandra, Carol Schell, Myra Gross
- Woodbury: James George
The show attracted many returning participants who have showcases their talents year after year. Cathy Matos, a first-place winner in professional mixed media and third place in professional watercolor, emphasized the community aspect of the event.
“The senior art show is one of the best things about being a senior citizen in Gloucester County,” she shared. “You get to see all these people that we’re not seeing otherwise, and to see how they’re growing in their artwork over the years. It’s just wonderful.”
New participants in the show included Marc Narducci, who entered for the first time this year after watching his wife Jan succeed in previous years. He took home third place in professional photography and spoke enthusiastically about the experience.
“I just thought it was great,” he enthused. “There’s so much good work here and I met a lot of nice people.”
Jan Narducci took first place in professional works on paper and second place in professional pastel and echoed her husband’s sentiment.
“It’s really nice to do something for the senior artists …” she said. “And then whatever gets first place goes up to the state, and that’s another recognition. It’s another plus for the arts in Gloucester County.”
The top winners from the show will compete at the state level when their work is submitted to the New Jersey Senior Citizen Art Show in October. Erika Gardner, head coordinator for the event, expressed pride in the county’s representation
“I’m always really proud when I send this stuff off to the state,” she noted, “and I get that email back that some of our artists have placed for the state show.”
Gardner, who has coordinated the Gloucester County senior show at Rowan since 2020, reflected on the event.
“Every year,” she said, “it has grown with capacity and number of artists that are participation.”
The artwork from all participants will be on display at the Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester County campus until August 30.
