CHESAPEAKE, VA (July 11, 2005) – Yupo Corporation America, the largest manufacturer of synthetic paper in the western hemisphere, announces an accomplished panel of five independent judges that will select the winning entries for Yupo’s third annual Wally Awards contest. The panel will include) Richard Grefé, CEO of the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA); Taylor Ikin, a watercolor artist; Sabine Lenz, the founder of PaperSpecs; Greg Santini, a print specialist with Andrews Connecticut; and Mark Schwartz, founding partner of Nesnadny + Schwartz. The Wally Award judges represent decades of experience in art, graphic communications, printing, and design, and each has working knowledge of the characteristics and unique attributes of YUPO synthetic paper. “The Wally Awards program has been growing each year,” says Paul Mitcham, national marketing manager for Yupo. “We are excited to see this year’s results and the exciting things people are doing on YUPO synthetic.” Now in its third year, Yupo’s Wally Awards recognizes distinctive achievements using YUPO’s unique synthetic substrates whether in design, printing or original artwork. The panel will meet in Chesapeake, VA on October 20, 2005, to judge design projects and original artwork and designate three winners based on creativity, originality and functionality. Additional finalists will be voted online for the Designer’s Choice Award. All winners of the 2005 Wally Awards will each receive a cash prize of US$1,000, a customized Wally Award statue designed by illustrator Bill Mayer, and the Pantone Color Cue 2. Entrants can now register at www.wallyaward.com; the deadline for all entries is September 15, 2005. The panel comprises the following distinguished professionals: Richard Grefé – AIGA Ric Grefé is the CEO of the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA), the oldest and largest professional association of designers in the United States. The AIGA advances the interests of 18,000 designers working in a variety of communication media and dimensions, ranging from type and book designers to new media and experience designers. Grefé earned his bachelor of arts degree from Dartmouth College and master’s degree in business administration from Stanford University. Before coming to the AIGA in 1995, Grefé reported for the Associated Press, wrote for Time magazine, did in intelligence work in Asia, and managed the association responsible for strategic planning and legislative advocacy for public television. Taylor Ikin - Artist Taylor Ikin is a self-taught artist who specializes in watercolor on YUPO. Her artwork has been featured in a variety of national and international exhibitions and her technique has earned her respect as an art educator; she conducts several workshops and seminars around the U.S. on watercolor techniques. Ikin was president of the Florida Watercolor Society and is a member of the Southern Watercolor Society, Arts Council of Hillsborough County, the Florida Artists Group, and the Southeastern Watercolor Society. Sabine Lenz – PaperSpecs Sabine Lenz is the founder of PaperSpecs, the most comprehensive “online swatch book,” and publisher of PaperTalks, a weekly newsletter that profiles unique paper applications and industry news. In its six years online, PaperSpecs has become the resource for graphic design and printing industry professionals to find the most suited substrate for any project. Lenz began her career as a graphic designer in Germany and later in Australia and the U.S. where she has worked on design projects ranging from major corporate identities to product launches. Lenz also speaks on paper issues and educational topics related to the paper industry. Greg Santini – Andrews Connecticut – An RR Donnelley Company Greg Santini is an account executive at Andrews Connecticut,. Santini attended American International and began his career in the printing industry in type-setting. In his 20 plus years of expertise in the printing industry, Santini has worked with retail, financial, graphic design and advertising firms on a wide range of projects. Andrews Connecticut is one of the premier commercial printers in the North East 107,000 SF state-of-the art facility specializes in unique customized solutions for customers of all sizes. Andrews Connecticut has won 14 Gold Ink Awards, 7 PIA (Benny) Awards as well as 30 other in 2004 alone. Mark Schwartz – Nesnadny + Schwartz Mark Schwartz is the founder, president and creative director of Nesnadny + Schwartz. His firm’s work is represented in the permanent collections of many museums and has won over 1,500 national and international awards in the fields of marketing communications, electronic design, graphic identity and brand development, photography, illustration and graphic design. His career in fine arts began at Princeton and Rutgers universities and he holds a masters of fine Arts degree from Ohio University. He serves on the boards of the City of Cleveland Design Review Committee, The Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Accessions Advisory Committee of the Cleveland Museum of Art. “We are looking forward to seeing the remarkable designs and artwork done on Yupo,” says Paul Mitcham, national marketing manager for Yupo Corporation. “The combined expertise in art, graphic design, paper, and printing will make for an exciting judging day on October 20th.”