From the PPFA For Members Only Publication, January 2008:
"Five framers have been chosen to receive the L. Thomas McKeon Scholarship, which will help defray costs associated with the Certified Picture Framer examination. Each winner will receive a complete set of PPFA-recommended CPF study materials and fees for sitting for the exam, a $425 value. Winners have until the end of 2008 to redeem their scholarship award.
This year's recipients are: Sarah Adams, AV Framing Gallery, Indianapolis, IN; Justin Alvarez, framestudio, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Carla Bates, The Frame Shop of Conshohocken LLC, Conshohocken, PA; Laura Martin, New Editions Gallery, Lexington, KY; and Elli Wollangk, Custom Design Workshop LLC, Oshkosh, WI.
Since first entering the framing field in 1990, Adams has continually strived to enrich her knowledge of the industry, taking classes in water gilding, encapsulation, photographing artwork, and business-related topics. Still, she never worked for a PPFA member business, so she wasn't exposed to the CPF program until 2004 when she opened her own shop and joined the association.
According to Adams, earning her CPF is a great way to further distinguish herself and her business from the competition. She believes her clients deserve to receive the best and most up-to-date techniques she can offer. 'Studying for the CPF exam will help me offer that extra level of service,' she says. She also realizes she may need to 'unlearn' some bad habits she may have picked up through the years.
'Life is a journey, charted by landmarks along the way,' she says. 'The CPF is one such landmark. None of us exists in a vacuum. People present opportunities at every turn. I hope this generous scholarship is an opportunity (for me) to learn, grow, and keep on moving.'..."
Visit www.avframinggallery.com for more information.
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