FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2008

CONTACT: Tom Plante, 908-527-4746
Sebastian D’Elia, 908-527-4419

Occupational Center of Union County Art Exhibit at Freeholders Gallery

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs are pleased to present an exhibit of artistic works created by participants in an art class conducted by the Occupational Center of Union County. The art exhibit is on display through April 15th at the Freeholders Gallery on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building, located on Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. The exhibit is open to the public during office hours, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Art instruction at the Occupational Center exposes participants to the benefits of art appreciation and provides therapeutic experience that conceiving artwork can offer. This is especially true with those who have psychiatric disabilities. The Center has been presenting these art experiences since 2003 with great success.

This program is made possible in part by a HEART grant (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The program, administered through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, serves as a catalyst to strengthen Union County’s nonprofit organizations, artists and scholars, enhancing their capacity to provide innovative projects related to the arts, humanities and history.

Exhibits at the Freeholders Gallery are coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs/Department of Parks and Community Renewal. For further information about this exhibit and other programs and services related to the arts and Union County history, contact the Office at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550; or E-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ relay users dial 711.