Visual Arts Contest and Exhibition

The New Brunswick Free Public Library proudly presented its 2019 Visual Arts Contest and Exhibition, accompanied by free visual art workshops.

The library invited participants to submit photos, drawings, and paintings. The deadline for contest submission was extended to October 18, from October 10, 2019. The contest submission form with complete details was available at the library; you may also download one here (o en español aquí). Visual Art pieces entered in the contest were displayed in the library's Carl T. Valenti Community Room. A panel of professional artists and library staff judged the submissions for first, second, and third place in different categories.

Winners were announced at the Visual Arts Contest & Exhibition reception on Friday, November 15th, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. You may view photos of the reception on our Flickr account here. To view all contest submissions, beginning with the winners, you may download the presentation here.

Visual Art was on display at the library from November 15th to December 3rd, 2019. The contest and related events were free and open to the public of all ages!

Two workshops were held at the library in September. View photos of them on our Flickr account. Descriptions of the workshops are below.

  • Thursday, September 19, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
    Workshop Topic: Teens Dream Paint Workshop
    Led by: professional artists Wilford Charles & Dontae Muse.
    Join Wilford Charles and Dontae Muse from Above Art Studios and leap into the world of painting.
    During this workshop you will learn the basics of painting while painting your own small art piece. Everyone will be able to take their art piece home. All material will be provided.

  • Thursday, September 26, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m
    Workshop Topic: How to Take Stunning Photos of People and Pets with Any Camera
    Led by: professional photographer Andrew Darlow
    Photographing people and pets in a studio, home, or outdoor environment allows for almost endless creative images. But putting all the pieces together can be challenging. Join us for this special photography lecture with award-winning author and photographer Andrew Darlow, who will share many of his secrets for photographing people and pets indoors and outside.
    During the workshop, these and other topics will be covered: An overview of continuous lighting options, including how to control the sun any time of the day; how to make adjustments for lighting that has different color temperatures; specific suggestions for affordable flash units, radio triggers for wireless shooting, softboxes, fill cards and other studio/location gear; how to get your human subjects to act naturally in front of the camera; how to use depth of field and motion in creative ways; and how to get pets to look at the camera, and how to get priceless expressions from almost any pet.

Please contact Kavita Pandey at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

Funding for this program was generously provided by Johnson & Johnson, Inc. with the goal of fostering and expanding the dynamic local arts scene. The Middlesex County Office of Arts & History (MCOAH) facilitates the funding process.


View the submissions to our first Visual Arts Contest, held in 2018, in this PowerPoint presentation.