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Current Contest - April 2008
Judge: Cathy Dietrich Cathy Dietrich is the
President and CEO of RayMar Art, Inc. and also an artist. She
started the company in 1998 with her husband John to produce
professional painting panels after she discovered a market for
them through her courses at the Scottsdale Artists School.
Initially suppliers produced RayMar’s products until
commercial equipment was acquired in 2003 to manufacture the
panels and carriers in house. Quality control was now ensured
and the dream of sponsoring a RayMar Art online yearlong fine
art competition became a reality in 2005.
Cathy is aware an artist’s success evolves through dedication
to the craft. She has not yet painted her acres and acres of
canvas to advance her career path but the side trip to create
RayMar’s products connected her with many famous artists. She
also had her suspicions confirmed that she had the ability to
judge art.
In RayMar’s second annual fine art competition Cathy was
encouraged by mentor Kevin Macpherson to be a juror in the
competition she conceived. Three of the twelve finalists
selected from her month were in the twelve prizewinners chosen
from one hundred forty four monthly finalists by final juror
John Cosby. And one of her picks, Robert Spooner’s “Griddle
Cook” was Cosby’s first prizewinner of $10,000.
Many of you are aware of John’s passing last year and the
transitional year Cathy experienced in 2007. Judging in the
2006-2007 competition was pivotal to reconnect her with the
passion and enthusiasm she initially brought to RayMar. With
support from “my amazingly talented artist customers” as she
refers to you, she is thrilled to view your artistry once again.
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