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The New Jersey State Bar Foundation recently hosted a reception in honor of the artists submitting work to its Sixth Annual Art Show.

In her welcome address, NJSBF Art Committee Chair Susanne Y. Peticolas noted that lawyers are accustomed to “left brain” activity—logical, analytical, objective, rational functions, but the Art Show allows those in the legal community to “celebrate on the “right” side of the brain, and to explore the subjective, random and intuitive nature of ourselves.”

The NJSBF received 90 submissions for the show from 32 artists working in a variety of mediums, including sculpture, wood carving, photography, oils, watercolor, pastels, pen and ink, as well as mixed media.

Ryan Stark Lilienthal placed first with his painting “Small World Coffee on Town.” Lilienthal’s painting “Tear Sheet” placed third in last year’s show.

“I have found practicing law to be a meaningful way to engage in, and to understand, the lives of others from all walks of life,” Lilienthal says. “In painting, I seek a process that awakens me in a similar way—to see the people and world around me.”

Placing second is John Kaye’s painting titled, “Working Boat Apollo in Winter.” Kaye says, “No matter what I start to paint it always ends up with water in it somehow.”

A pen and ink drawing of his daughter garnered Daniel R. Krovatin third place. “It’s an honor to participate in the Foundation’s Art Show and placing this year has been an added bonus,” Krovatin says. “The drawing is a portrait of my daughter, Lucie, who said when it was finished: ‘Wow Dad, you finally did a drawing that looks like me.’ From her, that was high praise.”

Receiving the Chair’s Merit Award is a sculpture, titled “Sylvanna Seated” submitted by Joan G. Waks. She says she began sculpting in 2013 after receiving a gift of 10 lessons from her daughter.

“For reasons I can’t explain, I just felt I could sculpt. When my first sculpture turned out pretty well, I decided to keep at it.” Waks says she was a latecomer to the law, receiving her law degree at the age of 41 and she was a latecomer to sculpting as well. “My goal is to live a long time and develop my talent as long as my faculties will allow.”

Five attorneys—Deborah Fennelly, Lisa D. Love, Arthur G. Margeotes, Joe Waks and Myron Weinstein—received Honorable Mentions for their submissions.

Artwork for the show will remain displayed in the New Jersey Law Center’s Visitor’s Lounge until October 20, 2017. Some of the pieces are for sale and many artists generously offered to donate the proceeds of their submitted work to the Bar Foundation.

For more information on the Art Show or to purchase a particular piece, contact Cynthia Pellegrino at 732-937-7507 or cpellegrino@njsbf.org.