Our judges this year, like the Fairhope Arts & Crafts festival itself, represent different geographical regions and a wide variety of artistic media. All of them bring expertise as art teachers and are gifted artists themselves, which gives them an understanding and appreciation of all forms of art.
CHRISA CRAIG, MANCHESTER, MICHIGAN
 Chrisa Craig holds an Ed.D from New York University and a Masters in painting from the U. of Michigan. She served as a professor of Art at the College of New Jersey for 30 years. Now retired from teaching, Chrisa continues to create works of art in her studio in Manchester, Michigan.
Her experience includes Art Education Consultant: Young Audiences of New Jersey; Binney and Smith (Crayola); American Schools, Mogadishu, Somalia; Awarded three New Jersey Council on the Arts Fellowship Grants (Juried for NJCA post awards); Jury experience for New Hope, PA. Arts Organization, NJ Governors School. Exhibitions include solo exhibitions at the New Jersey State Museum, the Newark New Jersey Museum, The College of New Jersey, Rider University. Group exhibitions include Cleveland Museum of Art, Ella Sharp Museum, and Ann Arbor Women Artists. Currently, Chrisa is exhibiting mixed media drawing on paper, some of which has been hand cast by the artist.
SHERYL HOLLAND, TUCSON, ARIZONA
 Sheryl Holland, B.A., M.A., studied studio art at Spring Arbor College, MI., and Eastern Michigan University, with concentrations in pottery and art history. She taught art and humanities in the Michigan Public Schools for 20 years, including drawing, painting, pottery, jewelry and art appreciation. Since moving to Tucson, AZ., in 1994, she has pursued her love of abstract image-making, concentrating on large acrylic paintings and mixed media, often using the inspiring vivid colors of the Southwest, and is an active member of the Contemporary Artists of Southern Arizona. She continues her interest in the humanities, particularly art history, music history, opera and poetry through classes at the U. of Arizona and is a published poet and soloist for the Arizona Repertory Singers and other venues in Tucson. Among her credits, she is most proud of her juried blue-ribbon watercolor at age 5.
MORRIS WARD, ATLANTA, GA.
 Morris Ward, BFA, U. of Georgia, brings us a tremendous background in the graphic arts. He began his career as an illustrator for the US Army and has worked throughout his life as a teacher, lecturer, and art program director as he pursues his career as a freelance artist. Morris’ experience includes Publication Manager for Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Creative Director for the Georgia statewide Bicentennial Program, and Lecturer/Artist at Callaway Gardens for 10 summers. He taught in the Industrial Design Dept. at the Georgia Institute of Technology for 11 years, sharing his expertise in 2-D design, Typography, Product Design, Packaging and Production Processes. Morris also brings us his experience as the Marketing Director for Powers’ Crossroads Country Fair and Arts Festival, which became the largest Fair of its type in the U.S. under his leadership.
THOMAS M. CAUTHEN, MONTGOMERY, AL
 Tommy Cauthen is a native of Montgomery. He graduated from Auburn University in 1989 with a degree in illustration and graphic design. Mr. Cauthen joined the Department of Tourism in 2006 as Assistant Art Director. Some of his first projects included the “Hank Williams Trail” brochure and the “2007 Calendar of Events”.
In 2008, Mr. Cauthen was named Art Director for the department. Since then he has overseen, directed and designed the art for various Alabama tourism projects and campaigns such as the “2008 Calendar of Events,” “The Black Belt Heritage and Nature Trail Guide”, and most recently “2010 Calendar of Events”.
Prior to Joining the Tourism Department, Mr. Cauthen worked with the Alabama Department of Conservation in the Information and Education section illustrating and designing various publications.
In 2004 Mr. Cauthen illustrated a picture book, The Teacher’s Gift. His work is also seen in various media from books to CD covers to business logos.
In his spare time, he enjoys playing fiddle and singing traditional jazz and Western Swing as a member of the Lo-Fi Loungers. He credits his wife of 13 years, Laura, with saving him from a life of dull weekends watching dinosaur movies and black and white cartoons. He and Laura have two children, Thomas (11) and Mary Ella (8) who also appreciate a good black and white Popeye cartoon.
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