CONGRATULATIONS!
The 2008 Winners of the
5th Annual OPAS Plein Air Competition are . . .



The Winners standing on the Courthouse steps in New Philadelphia.
Starting in front, L to R, just like you read a book (and it will still not read correctly) : Larry Rudolech, Hanover, IN - Best of Show; Ray Hassard, Cincinnati, OH - 3rd Place & Quick Draw winner; Jack Liberman, Akron, OH, Honorable Mention (HM); Dino Massaroni, Talmadge, OH - Merit Award for Oils. Mark DeLong - Merit Award in Pastel.
The rest in the back, L to R: Jimmie White, Maumee, OH - 1st Place; Honorable Mike Taylor, Mayor of New Philadelphia; Mark Hanson, Judge; Debra Joyce Dawson, Pataskala, OH - 2nd Place and Artist's Choice Award; Doreen St. John, Hartville, OH - Merit Award for Water Media and Best Spirit of New Philadelphia; Carolyn E. Lewis, Cuyahoga Falls, OH - HM; Deidre Dyson, Loveland, OH - HM; Rich Clem, Gahanna, OH - HM; Robin Roberts, Ashland, OH - HM.
At the top: Mark De Long, Huron, OH - Award of Merit for Pastels.
Not Pictured: Jeff Risner, Athens, OH - HM; Fred Doloresco, Ft. Wayne, IN - HM.

Over 45 artists competed: Susan Birgeles, Jon Browning, Martha Carmody, Gary Chaconas, Barbara Chenault, Rich Clem, Betsy Collins Downs, Carol Cosgrove, John Daniels, Debra Joyce Dawson, Edie Dean, Mark DeLong, Rick Dziak, Elaine Freeman, Angela Gage, Judy Griffiths, Ray Hassard, Susi Havens-Bezaire, Karen Gazdick, Nancy Hawkins, Carolyn Hefflefinger, Mary Holobaugh, Betty Jean Jacobson, Carolyn E. Lewis, Jack Liberman, Dino Massaroni, Richard Maxfield, Dave Smith, Lori Smith, Ruth Ann Sturgill, Doreen St. John, Mary Jean Weber, Maria White, Jimmie White
. . . and more!
Sherpas & Guests: Brenda Boylan, Daniel Boylan, Pam Browning, Spencer Browning, Susan Clem, Chris Chaconas, Joe Cosgrove, Martin Dawson, Mary Dziak, Jim Lewis, Judy Smith, Mary White.
 

Special thanks to those who volunteered during the Competition:

 Bridgette Turner • Karen LaValley • Ruth Ann Sturgill • Elaine Freeman • Jeff Risner
Doreen St. John • Mark DeLong • Debra Joyce Dawson
Mary Dziak • Dino Massaroni

And an extra special thank you
to the 2008 Co-Chairs
Chair, Jon Browning and Co-Chair, Susi Havens-Bezaire


L to R: Co-Chair - Susi Havens-Bezaire; Mayor Mike Taylor; Chair - Jon Browning, and Judge, Marc Hanson


Starting in July, Susi Havens-Bezaire put her organizational skills to good use by fleshing out the details
of Jon's vision of the competition. Susi finalized things with the banquet hall and the tourist board, and worked with OPAS member volunteers to coordinate and/or to produce all of the materials for the competition: i.e. preparing packets for participating artists; printing competition tags, name tags and schedules; lining up volunteers
to man the stamping stations; and more.
Susi’s guidance and persistence made the weekend a huge success.

 This was the second year that OPAS Trustee and President Jon Browning has served as Chair of the
New Philadelphia competition. Starting immediately after last year's competition, Jon worked hard over many months simultaneously coordinating both the Marc Hanson Workshop and the '08 Competition. He spent many weekends (and weekdays) in New Philadelphia putting things together, scouting out venues for the workshop, preparing maps, smoothing the way with the local officials, lining up the hotels, opening up his family farm to the
participants of the workshop, and much more. Jon, we can’t thank you for the great weather and scenery,
but we certainly appreciate the time and effort that you put into making
this year's event in New Philadelphia a success.
 

We’d also like to thank Mayor Mike Taylor of New Philadelphia for inviting us to his city, for making us feel welcome,  and for judging the “Spirit of New Philadelphia” Award. Fred Neff of the street department and the New Philadelphia Police Department were kind enough to close off street for us so that we could properly show our work. Dee Tasker and the staff of the Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau helped OPAS immensely by providing maps, housing information, brochures, microphones, and general guidance.
Thanks to all of you, the Fifth Annual Competition was a great success.

If you have photos or a story for this page, please send to debra@ohiopleinairsociety.com

 

Keep checking back for more photos,
they are being added a little at a time as they come in.
 

Click on thumbnails to enlarge