Commission seeks artists for National Arts Program

Freeholder Ralph E. Bakley, Sr. announced that the county is seeking artists to participate in an upcoming county event. The Cape May County Culture and Heritage Commission will host its Eighth Annual Exhibit and Contest of The National Arts Program® (NAP) at the Middle Township Performing Arts Center (PAC) Gallery from April 15 to May 9, 2009.
This free art competition is open to all local, county, state and federal government employees and their immediate families who reside or work in Cape May County. Members of the County’s non-profit Culture and Heritage Round Table groups and their immediate families are also eligible. Immediate family includes mother, father, son, daughter, brother or sister.
The exhibit will consist of “wire hung” wall-mounted work in the following categories: painting; works on paper; photography; sculpture; and craft. All entries submitted must be original works of the applicant. There are separate classifications for adults (amateur, intermediate, and professional) and youth (under12, and 12 to 18).
Registration forms are available from the County Division of Culture and Heritage and are due no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, April 6. Call the Division office at (609) 463-6370, or e-mail to culture@cmclibrary.org for details.
An awards ceremony and reception will be held Saturday, May 9, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the PAC. The first-place prize in each adult class will be $300, with $200 for second, and $100 for third place. Youth prizes will be $75, $50 and $25. The “Best of Show” award will be $300. Honorable Mention ribbons and Certificates of Participation will also be presented.
Susan DeLanzo, Deputy Mayor of Middle Township, praised the 73 artists who entered last year’s exhibit saying, “Your works are powerful gifts that you give to all of us. Please continue to create, to develop, and to pursue your artistic passion.” DeLanzo added, “Visual arts provide us all with a connection and start a dialogue among us.”
This program in Cape May County is one of 81 such exhibits in the country, and one of just four in New Jersey. The National Arts Program® in Cape May County is funded by The National Arts Program Foundation of Malvern, Pennsylvania and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
The County’s Culture and Heritage Commission oversees the Division’s work which is funded by the County Library Commission. Freeholder Ralph Bakley, Sr. is the liaison to both Commissions.
The Cape May County Culture and Heritage Commission members include: Lower Township residents Dr. Joseph Salvatore, Chair, and Mary Stewart, Vice-Chair; Anne Salvatore; Fred Miller of Ocean City, Secretary; Barbara Beitel of Cape May Court House; Dr. Janice Lake Betts of Upper Township; Dr. Warren Betty of Lower Township; Lorraine Hansen of Ocean City; David Rodriquez of Woodbine.