Toms River, NJ … Organizers of the Downtown Toms River Arts & Music Festival are proud to announce the winners of its juried arts show. Mary Monagle was awarded 1st place and $200 for her mixed media work "All That Jazz", 2nd place was awarded to Carol Stauffer along with $100 for her photograph entitled “Misty Couple No Window”, and 3rd place went to Richard Kushinsky, who also received $50 for his encaustic work “A Tribute to Martin Luther King – Rouge et Noir”. Two artists received Honorable Mention – Helen Harris for her mixed media work “Hanna’s Storm”, and Nancy Menashe for her oil on paper work “Scape”. The Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission sponsored the cash awards received by the artists in 1st through 3rd place.

As part of the Arts & Music Festival on Saturday, May 16, 35 artists were featured in Huddy Park offering oil, water and acrylic paintings, pastels, pottery and ceramics, art glass and stained glass, photography, hand made glass bead jewelry, wire and beaded jewelry, mixed media, spray paint, and block print arts.

The lead juror and final decision maker for the competition was Drew Stevens, Graphic Designer, New York City. He was assisted by an impressive panel of judges that included Patrick Gordon, Painter, New York City; Daniel Harrison, Antique and Sculpture Dealer, New York City; Christine Kallenberger, Director of Collections, The Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, OK; Kreg Kallenberger, Sculptor, Tulsa, OK; and Michael Masterson, Photographer, Los Angeles, CA.

In order to participate in a juried show, artists must submit photos of their work to the event’s organizing committee, who then decide whether to allow the artist into the show. However, not every juried show features a competition among artists.

The Downtown Toms River Arts & Music Festival evolved from the yearly Gallery Walk event. The Arts & Music festival showcased a variety of arts, with events and activities taking place throughout the Downtown area, including the kick-off of the Concerts in the Park series. Enhancing Downtown Toms River’s position as the cultural center of Ocean County is one of the major initiatives in the master plan for Downtown. The Arts & Music Festival is among several special events throughout the year produced by Downtown Toms River, officially the Toms River Business Improvement District. The non-profit organization was created to encourage economic revitalization and attract area residents to the historic business district of Toms River.

Other Downtown Toms River events include the 20th Annual New Jersey State Chili and Salsa Cook-Off, May 30; the 7th Annual New Jersey State Ice Cream Festival, July 18; the 4th annual Pizza, Pasta, Pastry Festival, September 26 and the Farmers Market on Wednesdays from June 10 through October 28. Concerts in the Park, which will take place down at Huddy Park, continues on June 27, July 25, and August 22.

Anyone interested in volunteering with these events or for more information can call 732-341-8738 or visit www.downtowntomsriver.com. A free monthly email newsletter covering Downtown Toms River activities can also be subscribed to at the web site.