On May 3, 2019, at the World Taxidermy and Fish Carving Championships® awards banquet held at the Springfield, Missouri Civic Center, Show Chairman Larry Blomquist and Master of Ceremonies Russell Knight presented the fifth ever World Show Lifetime Achievement Award to Frank K. Newmyer of Gladwin, Michigan.
Honoree Frank Newmyer of Michigan (center) with Master of Ceremonies Russell Knight of Alaska (left) and World Show Chairman Larry Blomquist of Louisiana (right).
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The 2018 convention season has come to a close, and for the 26th consecutive year, the judges have chosen the WASCO Award winners. I think that the most compelling part of each competition is when all of the judges get together collectively pick what they feel is the most artistic entry in the entire show. I have been in on many of these lively discussions and the judges always make it a point to give a great deal of thought and consideration to fairly choose the entry they feel is most deserving of this prestigious award.
The WASCO Most Artistic Entry Award is presented to the most artistic piece in a taxidermy competition. The winner is chosen collectively by all of the judges from the entire competition. WASCO Award winners receive a polished acrylic award and a gift certificate from WASCO (Wildlife Artist Supply Company).
The winning entries were chosen by the following criteria:
1. Exhibition of Taxidermy. The entry should tastefully display both the subject as well as the taxidermy profession in a favorable light. The taxidermy should be of good competition caliber, without any obvious flaws to the casual observer. The close scrutiny of a judge’s flashlight should not be as important as the overall impression of the piece from a normal viewing distance. The main requirement is that the animal portrayed looks “alive” to the viewer. Continue reading
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Kathy Blomquist told me, “Pulling into the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois felt like coming home.” I know exactly what she meant! Arriving at the NTA’s host facility was a familiar experience. In fact this was the eighth week that I has spent at this beautiful hotel attending taxidermy conventions. It could not have been a more perfect place to host the 2018 National Taxidermy Championships. Continue reading
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If there was a Best in World award for the most outstanding state taxidermy convention, Texas would surely take the gold medallion. It is amazing how a show this good continues to improve year after year, but it does! The 2018 TTAI convention was the biggest and the best so far, with over 200 superb entries and probably well over 500 enthusiastic attendees. The Board of Directors works tirelessly to make everyone feel welcome and keep everything running smoothly. The Killeen Civic Center and adjacent Shilo Inn and Suites Hotel are a perfect venue, and with several years of experience at this location, the logistics of the show went smoothly without a hitch.
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I just returned from the 2018 United Taxidermist Association bi-annual Expo which was held in conjunction with the Oklahoma Taxidermy Association’s annual convention. I had always heard about what a great show the OKTA puts on, but this was the first one I had ever attended. I do believe the board members of the OKTA are among the hardest working crew in the industry, as they worked tirelessly to accommodate all the attendees and put on an excellent show. The Reed Conference Center was a teriffic venue, and the attached Sheraton hotel was very convenient.
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