Works of art in all manner of 2D and 3D media are spotlighted in the main gallery of the Monmouth Museum, as the 36th annual Juried Art Exhibition keynotes the new year beginning with a Saturday reception. 

It’s a local art event that’s served to “ring in the new” each January since the Carter-country year of 1979 — but even if the Monmouth Museum has played host for each of its 36 editions, it’s really been only five years since the Museum took the reins of the annual juried art exhibition founded by the Monmouth Arts Council.

Beginning with a free reception and awards ceremony this Saturday from 4 to 6 pm, the group show assembles one of the most eclectic collections of “emerging artist” creatives — working in a variety of genres and media, and hailing from all over New Jersey and the great big garden beyond.

The 36th Annual Juried Art Exhibition remains on display through March 8 during regular museum hours (Tuesday-Thursday 10 am-5 pm; Friday 10 am-9 pm; Saturday 10 am-5 pm; Sunday 12-5 pm) Regular admission is $7 per person; free with valid student or staff ID from Brookdale Community College, on whose Lincroft campus the Museum sits.