The 2026 Union County Senior Art Exhibit Is Open for Entries

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that registration for the 2026 Union County Senior Art Exhibit is now open. Residents of Union County, age 60 and older, both professional and non-professional artists, are invited to enter their original artwork by Sunday, April 12, 2026, to be displayed at the Senior Art Exhibit, taking place from Friday, April 17th through Thursday, May 28th at the Scotch Plains campus of UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

"Each year, our annual Senior Art exhibit gives us the opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent and artistic flair thriving in our community," said Union County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek. "We invite all seniors, both amateurs and professional artists alike, to participate and register. We'll be looking forward to showcasing your artwork this spring."

The 2026 Senior Art Exhibit is an annual program organized by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a division of the Department of Parks and Recreation. A closing reception will be held on May 28th for all exhibiting artists.

The media categories include acrylic painting, oil painting, watercolor, pastel, works on paper (drawing), photography, digital art, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, and craft. Entry must be an original work completed between April 2023 and April 2026.

Artworks entered will be judged by a panel of professional artists, with separate awards designated for professional and non-professional artists. In the fall, artworks awarded first place will advance to the state-level New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show, which comprises award-winning works from throughout the state.

The deadline to register is Sunday, April 12, 2026. For complete rules and instructions or to register, please visit https://ucnj.org/senior-art.

Seniors without internet access can have a relative or friend with an email address register on their behalf, or the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs will assist artists with registration by phone on weekdays.

For assistance or questions about the 2026 Senior Art Exhibit, or to receive instructions, email [email protected] or call 908-558-2552 or 558-2550 (weekdays). Relay users dial 711. This program is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. To learn more about the programs and services offered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, visit https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs/.