MINEOLA, NY (TIP): As part of the National Women’s Heritage Month celebrations, Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos presented a Fine Art and Photography Exhibition on 2nd March at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive Legislative Building in Mineola, New York. The exhibition’s title “Truth & Beauty” was inspired, probably, by the famous English poet John Keats’ Ode on a Grecian Urn’ wherein the poet says: ‘Beauty is truth, truth beauty, —that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.”

The success of the exhibition can be judged from the number of artists participating in the two main categories-Art and Photo. Fifty-five distinguished female artists and photographers participated. The paintings at the Exhibition were done in both water color and oil and included portraits and landscape.

Anu Jain, the only Indian American artist showcased two of her paintings -” Freedom-the Beauty of Life” in oil on canvas and the other,” Jesus”. She made the community proud with her work and got accolades and recognition from not only fellow artists and organizers but from a large number of guests from Indian-American community which included community leaders, prominent businessmen and leading media personalities.

Anu Jain, as other artists, took in a stride the challenge of entering the world of art in a large format that expressed the feminine spirit- a moment in the life of a woman- Past, Present and Future – with one dominant figure as the main focus.

Many of the pieces of artwork presented depicted a global outlook on women’s issues and concern in a realistic style while others were Semi-abstract and symbolic, inviting the viewers to add their own interpretation.

The esteemed panel of judges was asked to score based on each participant’s excellence in the chosen art medium, expression of the theme and total presentation. The panel of judges included professors of art from finest local universities as well as renowned award winning artists and photographers. The invited judges included Robert Carter, Notable Artist; Emi Gomez, LIU Post Department of Art Professor; Kellyann Monaghan, Adelphi Professor; Gabriel Marques, Notable Artist; Catherine White, Renown Artist; and Xio Xiomaro, Notable International Photographer.

The curators included Carla Hall D’Ambra and Minna Dun.

The event was attended by over 200 guests. The host, Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos was conspicuous by his absence. His Deputy Chief James Garner filled the bill. Also present was Dilip Chauhan, Director, South East and Asian Affairs in the office of Nassau County Comptroller.

Jostyn Hernandez, Director of Communications, Nassau County Comptroller’s Office was kind enough to provide a list of winners just in time to include in the report.

Student: 1st – Samantha Hofsiss; 2nd – Brianna Purdue; and Honorable Mention – Teresa Langone

Art: 1st – Joanne Von Zwehl; 2nd – Katherine Trunk; 3rd – Shenna Vaughan; and Honorable Mention – Nicole Franz

Photo: 1st – Jennifer Shea; 2nd – Jennifer Formica; 3rd – Michell C. Delmonte-Synnott; and Honorable Mention – Marzena Grabczynska