Our 2D Judge is Catherine Magel, an accomplished studio artist with more than 30 years of national exhibitions in museums and galleries. She earned her Master of Fine Arts from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute. A recipient of both a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship Grant and a Connecticut Commission on the Arts Grant, she is also listed in Who’s Who in American Art. Her work is included in international collections in the Netherlands, China, and New York. Magel is widely recognized for her monumental public art, including the 240-foot-long Reflecting on a River along the St. Louis riverfront and numerous large-scale ceramic and mosaic commissions that blend painting and sculpture into dynamic civic landmarks. catharinemagelpa.com

Our 3D Judge is Nisa Blackmon, a nationally recognized metalsmith and contemporary jewelry artist whose work bridges science, craftsmanship, and storytelling. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, a Master’s degree in Natural and Applied Sciences with concentrations in Botany and Studio Art, and a Master of Fine Arts in Metals. After nearly 30 years teaching science and art at the college level, she transitioned in 2019 to full-time studio practice. Her work has been represented by Charon Kransen Arts in New York City and featured at leading galleries and regional venues. Blackmon has exhibited nationally since 1993 and has been published in numerous respected jewelry and craft books, including 21st Century Jewelry: The Best of the 500 Jewelry Series. She also maintains an active teaching and workshop practice through her Wishbone Studio. nisablackmon.com