The Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA), held its International OPEN and PRINT Framing Competition Jan. 28-29, 2012, during the PPFA 2012 annual convention, held concurrently with the West Coast Art & Frame Show at the Mirage Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The International competition is the grand finale of PPFA Chapter level competitions.

Entries were displayed on the WCAF trade show floor, where viewers could vote for Popular Choice.

Trevor and Jenny Yates' award-winning "Titanic" piece

In the OPEN category – in which participants can frame anything, indulging their creativity without restriction – Trevor and Jenny Yates of Just Frame It, Gladstone, Australia, took First Place, and also won a Judges Award for Technical Merit, sponsored by SoftTouch Solutions, for their hinged framing piece with a book and photo about the Titanic.

Second place went to Lavonna Bonnie Dietering of Art Inc., San Antonio, Texas for a brightly colored “bug”; Dietering also won a Popular Choice Award, sponsored by Picture Framing Magazine. Deborah Hill, MCPF, and Elizabeth Hellsen, CPF, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, Texas, took third place with a military shadowbox.

Mikki Kavich, MCPF, Mikki’s Frame Shop, Crossville, Tenn., won a Judges Award for Best Shadow Box Design, sponsored by Attach-EZ. Boris Smorodinsky, Striving Artists, Chatsworth, Calif., took High Point First Time Entry. Jo-Anne Sherburne, CPF, J.H. Sherburne Inc., Shelburne Falls, Mass., won an Honorable Mention.

In the PRINT category, all participants framed the same digital photograph reproduction, “Fall Leaf/Blue Sky” by artist Linda Sutton.

Dean Cardenas and Chris Laune, from Art Inc., San Antonio, Texas, took First Place, and a Judges Award sponsored by Vermont Hardwoods for Frame Innovation in Honor of the Arts & Crafts Movement. Glenn Renick, Fastframe #518, Lakeville, Minn., took Second Place; and Trevor and Jenny Yates, Just Frame It, Gladstone, Australia, took Third Place.

Amy Holloway, CPF, Bradley’s Art & Frame, Houston, Texas, took High Point First Time Entry, as well as an Honorable Mention.

Bruce Westphal, CPF, The Great Frame Up, Indianapolis, Ind., received a Judges Award from PPFA for Innovation in the Use and Manipulation of Materials. Lavonna Bonnie Dietering, Art Inc., San Antonio, Texas, received a Judges Award from Frank’s Fabrics for Contour Wrapping of a Liner, and also received an Honorable Mention. Dara Hoell, Sterling Frame Studio, Upton, Mass., received an Honorable Mention. Christopher Taylor, The Art Shop, Greensboro, N.C., won the Popular Choice Award sponsored by Picture Framing Magazine.

Karla Elder, CPF, served as Head Judge in the OPEN competition, with judges Alan Abeyta, CPF, and Jini Lumsden, MCPF. Lumsden also served as a judge in the PRINT competition, with Patrice Marquardt, CPF, and Head Judge Chris Paschke, CPF, GCF. Adela Davis, MCPF, served as secretary for both competitions.

Images of the custom framed pieces will be posted under “Competitions” at http://www.ppfa.com.

The Professional Picture Framers Association™ (PPFA®), a PMA member association, honored the following members during the PPFA All-Member Meeting and Luncheon held Jan. 31 at the PPFA 2012 Annual Conference, Mirage Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nev. PPFA President Ken Link, CPF, presented the following award winners with their respective accolades:

• PPFA Lifetime Achievement Award: Charles Saucier, CPF

The owner of Riverbend Gallery, Harvey, La., Saucier joined PPFA in 1980 and became a Certified Picture Framer in 1986. He currently serves as president of the PPFA Deep South Chapter, and has served as secretary, treasurer and program chair. He served two terms as a Director on the PPFA National board, is a Competition judge, teaches framing seminars, and has traveled extensively to other chapters in support of programs.

• Paul Frederick Distinction for Leadership Award: John Pruitt, CPF

A PPFA member since 1976, Pruitt has worked on the local and national level, holding many offices including PPFA President, Board Director, Chair of the Advisory Committee, Oaks Club, Supplier Committee, Awards & Recognition Committee, Nominations Committee, and most recently as chair of the Bylaws Committee. He has been heavily involved in the North Texas Chapter, where he served as program chair, vice president and president and was one of the first Chapter members to earn the Certified Picture Framer (CPF) designation.

•PPFA Service Award: Linda Pujo, MCPF

Owner of Picture Perfect Custom Framing in Menasha, Wis., Pujo has been involved in the Wisconsin Chapter for many years, has held various offices including president, and  currently serves on the Chapter board. She is an Accredited PPFA Competition Judge, and serves on the PPFA Competition board. She is a Master Certified Picture Framer, an MCPF examiner, and a PPFA educator at the Chapter and national level.

•Vivian Kistler Recognition for Innovation Award: Bert De Roo, FrameReady—SoftTouch Solutions; Jeff and Jeanette King, SpecialtySoft; and Paul Thomas and Dan Merrefield, LifeSaver Software

All three POS software companies were honored for developing visionary computer technology that streamlines the ordering process for consumers and framers.

• Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award: Kathy Courtney

Co-owner of the Courtney-Laughlin Studio and Gallery in Beaver, Penn., Kathy Courtney has been active in the Tri-State chapter for over a decade, serving as President for two terms and currently serving as Secretary/Treasurer.

The PPFA Awards and Recognition Committee was chaired by Linda Wassell, MCPF; with Robin Gentry, MCPF; Alan Abeyta, CPF; Rob Bottge; and Fran Gray, MCPF.

In addition, outgoing PPFA Board members Gene Ausili, CPF, Shirley Damon, CPF, and Jeannette King were honored for their service; and long-time PPFA member and educator Nona Powers, MCPF, was honored with a lifetime membership.

Ruth Yheulon, CPF, custom framed the awards with Larson Juhl moulding and TruVue Museum glass, both donated by Larson Juhl, and mats donated by Bainbridge.