“COSMOS AT PHILLIPS”: Ann Thomas of Stockton received the Curator’s Award for her painting in “Ellarslie Open 39,” on view through October 2 at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park. Thirty-one of 134 exhibiting artists received awards in this year’s juried exhibition.

Thirty-one of 134 exhibiting artists received awards during last month’s artists’ reception for Ellarslie Open 39 at Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion. The annual juried exhibition showcases this year over 160 artworks by artists from greater Trenton and throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, as well as Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and Texas. Deborah Oliver oversaw the installation of the diverse artwork that fills gallery and display areas throughout the museum. Most of the artwork is available for purchase.

Before a crowd of 350 artists and guests, Trenton Museum Society’s Patricia Allen, juror Walter Wickiser, and Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora gave welcoming remarks, with Mayor Gusciora then delivering the awards.

Carole Doerr Allen of Flemington won the Doug Palmer Award for Best in Show, Overall, for her painting Dark Horse; Storm Approaching.

“If the exhibition offered unlimited space, I would have chosen all artists who entered,” said Wickiser of New York City’s Walter Wickiser Gallery. “All had something important to express and were worthy. My choices and awards were no easy task, as I felt for each and every artist and artwork.”

Category winners were Tasha Branham (digital), North Brunswick; Diane Greenberg (drawing), New Hope, Pa.; Caroline Feiveson (fiber arts), Princeton; David Gootnick (mixed media), Washington, D.C.; Kathleen Beausoleil (painting), Fair Haven; Alexandra Pietsch (pastel), Ewing; Jeffrey Weiser (photography), Bensalem, Pa.; Marc Schimsky (printmaking), Yardley, Pa.; Michael Pascucci (sculpture), Monroe Township; and Elizabeth Oberman (watercolor), Flemington.

Janis Purcell of East Windsor received the President’s Award, Ann Thomas of Stockton received the Curator’s Award, and Yun Li of West Windsor received the Installation Award.

Joan Perkes, president of the board of trustees of the Trenton Museum Society, said, “On my part there is no Trenton City Museum event that makes me more proud, and I am deeply indebted to the board and our volunteers for their unflagging support and loyalty to the work of the Museum and to the city of Trenton.”

“Ellarslie Open 39” will remain on view through October 2, with related gallery talks and events to take place later in the summer and early fall. 

Trenton City Museum is housed in Ellarslie Mansion, located in the heart of Trenton’s Cadwalader Park. It is open Fridays and Saturdays, 12 to 4 p.m. and Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. While there is no admission charge, donations in support of the museum’s mission and programs are appreciated. For more information, visit ellarslie.org or call (609) 989-1191.