Page 9 - The Decorative Painter Fall 2017

2017 CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
“Oceans of Color”, the 45th Annual SDP International Conference & Expo, drew over 770 artists and painters from around the world, including the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan and Taiwan. The event was held May 16-20, 2017 at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. The yearly event brings SDP members and Chapters together to learn about new products and techniques, and to socialize in a fun, creative environment.
The weeklong homecoming kicked off with the special event class, “Message in a Bottle”, taught by Conference Artist Judy Westgaard-Jenkins cda, and the Meet & Greet gathering where attendees mingled over appetizers and cocktails.
Attendees participated in more than 70 classes, which taught projects and techniques in a variety of mediums, including acrylic, alcohol ink, colored pencil, fabric paint, mixed media, oil, and watercolor. This year’s schedule featured more classes in popular mediums, including colored pencil and watercolor all of which sold out early.
Vendors with products ranging from paints, brushes, and stamps to online courses had booths at the Expo, which was open Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20. Exhibitors launched new products, educated consumers through demonstrations, held giveaways, and offered show-special discounts on purchases.
In addition to shopping, attendees admired the 2017 Art Show and voted on their favorites in the different categories. Winners of the People’s Choice award were: Joyce Williams, Mary Etta Roeser and Sherry C. Nelson mda, tda. Cheri Rol mda won Best in Show. To see the list of all the 2017 winners, visit page 9.
This year’s Certification Program received 97 applications and awarded 22 new Certifications. Six members achieved
the inaugural accreditation of Accredited Decorative Painter (ADP); seen members achieved the title of Certified Decora- taive Artist (CDA); two members passed the Master Decorative Artist (MDA) stroke category and six passed the floral category. One member, Carmelita Ducote mda of Avondale, La. achived the highest level of certification of MDA. See this year’s passing Certification boards on page 12.
Planning is already underway for next year’s event. Save the date for “Back to the Beach”, the 46th Annual SDP International Conference & Expo, taking place again at the Ocean Center, Daytona Beach from May 8-12, 2018. The 2018 Conference Artist is Erika Joanne. Classes and events are in the process of being developed and will be published in the Conference Special later this year.
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