Exhibits Display Works by Local Artists, Vets

COURT HOUSE – Dr. Peter J. Bosak, superintendent, Cape May County Department of Mosquito Control won Best of Show in the 2014 National Arts Program (NAP) for Cape May County. Bosak’s sculpture, “Too Close to the Sun,” also won first place in the Intermediate Division.
The Cape May County Culture and Heritage Commission presented awards during the opening of an exhibit Nov. 12 at Middle Township Performing Arts Center (PAC).
Ana O’Regan’s lone violin sang out soothing tones as guests viewed the submissions of local artists displayed throughout the lobby. Pary Tell, representative of the Cape May County Division of Culture and Heritage, stood with Professor Cheryl Crews, a renowned local artist and teacher, and Mary Stewart, president of the Cape May Artist Cooperative Gallery. They welcomed all to sample the hors d’oeuvres and presentations.
Stewart announced winners of various categories, including Youth, Teen, Intermediate, Professional and Best Of. There were three scholarships awarded to young participants to further their art education. Winners of those were Katina Johnson, Delores Gallup and Ann Vandergraf.
Johnson submitted a work in charcoal, a new medium for her. “Art takes me away from what I see that’s so dark in the world. It’s so bright,” Johnson said.
Christine Cote, Culture and Heritage Commission member, organized the event. Cote expressed pleasure at the turnout as she stood next to Valerie Waywell Pierson’s prize-winning “Bebe Bleu.” The large acrylic on clay board painting of a blue-feathered baby bird on a bright red background that virtually jumped from the mounting.
“The bird just spoke to me,” said Waywell-Pierson.
The 13th Annual Exhibit and Awards of NAP for Cape May County, which includes 120 works of art submitted by 75 local artists, remains on display through Dec. 3.
Veteran’s Art Exhibit, Beesley House Nov. 16
The idea for an exhibition of artistic works by U.S. military veterans was born out of an email received by Cultural Heritage Director Pary Tell. “One day I received an email from a young woman who was a military veteran,” Tell said. “In it she told of suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and how much art had helped to heal her.”
At that moment Tell resolved to do all she could to give veterans of Cape May County the opportunity to exhibit their works before their fellow county residents. “I really like the fact that we were able to acknowledge the contribution made by these veterans who express themselves through art,” Tell said.
The works were presented in a variety of mediums. There were oil paintings such as those done by U.S. Marine Arnie Hitt and ceramics produced by Vince Grimm, an Army veteran.
Capt. Patricia Munson-Siter produced her art one cross-stitch at a time in an embroidered worked title “Egyptian Meow.”
Tom Kinnemand, who served with the National Guard from 1951 to 1959, made beautiful images with his Nikon. Bill Davenport also used his camera to display the beauty he found wherever he was stationed.
“Art is a way for people to heal,” said Tell. This year’s event was so successful that Tell promised it would return next year.
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.