Hillsborough Artist's Project Proves an Exemplary Collaboration

In searching around for suitable projects to honor with this year's Somerset County Excellence in the Arts, members of the county's Cultural and Heritage Commission found some very bright work done for the "Rays" art project highlighting skin cancers and sun exposure dangers.

The project is the brainchild of Hillsborough's Nancy Edwards, who say the project as a way to use art and creativity to draw attention to the growing incidence of skin cancers. 

"When the Regional Chronic Disease Coalition needed a way to get the word out about the importance of protecting yourself from dangerous sun rays, I immediately thought how beautiful an exhibit of sun images would be," she said. "I knew it would attract many people and in turn provide a venue to distribute information about this important health issue."

Her project drew submissions from 120 artists—and is this year's recipient of the Exemplary Collaboration and Partnership Award, one of seven winners of the 2013 Somerset County Excellence in the Arts Awards to be honored at a dinner to be held on Oct. 24.

"The collaboration between RCDC, Creative Spaces (my business) and XACT Studios has proven that when working together, great things can happen," Edwards said.

The awards program honors individuals and organizations that show exemplary leadership and dedication to the fine and performing arts in Somerset County, according to information from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission.

Recipients of each year's awards either live or work in Somerset County. The master of ceremony will be Nicholas Paleologos, executive director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner on Oct. 24 at the Twin Brooks Country Club in Watchung.

“The awards dinner provides an opportunity for the community to show its appreciation for the many talented artists, art advocates and educators that are dedicated to promoting the arts in Somerset County,” said Freeholder Patricia Walsh, Cultural and Heritage Commission liaison.

This year’s recipients, Walsh said, have shown "exceptional commitment and dedicated service to the arts, have exemplified talent and professionalism and, most importantly, have been an inspiration to the community."