Pontiac, Michigan (January 3, 2006) The Oakland County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson and the Office of Arts, Culture & Film proudly present the annual Employee Art Exhibition, Hidden Talents VI, displayed at the Oakland County Galleria. It features works of art created by past and recent employees of Oakland County, and their families. This year a variety of over 60 artworks were included in the exhibition.

Juror, Jane Linn, the Executive Director for the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, honored four artists with awards. A quilt, Stretching, by Deborah Hyde (West Bloomfield) was chosen for First Place. She is a retired Oakland County employee from Youth Assistance, Circuit Court Family Division. A charcoal drawing, Merosa, by Paulette Dayton (Dryden), relative of Ann Horsman a Forensic Laboratory Specialist, received Second Place. Transfiguration, a watercolor by Carole Hadley (Ortonville) received Third Place. Carole is a relative of Jill Hadley, Lead Investigator Pre-Trial Services. Rebecca Stepp (Waterford), Office Assistant in Soil Erosion, received the Honorable Mention Award for her photograph, A Look Down a Side Canal.

The Oakland County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson presented the awards to the artists at a reception on December 13. One final award, The Peoples Choice, will be presented at the conclusion of the exhibition on February 10, 2006.

Hidden Talents VI: Oakland County Employee Art Exhibition will be on display at the County Galleria through February 10, 2006. The Oakland County Galleria is located on the second floor of the Executive Office Building 34 East, 1200 North Telegraph Road in Pontiac. The Galleria is open from 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For further information contact Kristie Everett Zamora, Director of Arts, Culture & Film.