The International Polymer Clay Association and the ACREs of Opportunity committee are please to announce the jurors for the 2009 competition.

Walter Hazzard is the creator and owner of Topeo Gallery in New York and New Hope, Pa and is celebrating his thirtieth year in business.  He has juried the Niche Awards for Niche Magazine, jurys for the ACRE show in Las Vegas and Wholesale Crafts.com as well as local and regional fine craft venues.  Topeo was twice voted the Top Retailer of American Craft in the USA and is now in the Craft Retailers Hall of Fame.  His two galleries represent nearly 500 artists in all mediums with an emphasis on art glass and jewelry.

As we all know, the polymer clay community is a tight group which was evident at the 2009 ACRE (American Craft Retailers Expo). The three artists selected for last summers show were indeed lucky to have many talented and supportive polymer artists available to them as mentors and friends. Lauren Abrams, Pat Bolgar and Barb Fajardo were guided by Sandra McCaw, Meisha Barbee and Judy Belcher and with their support we took our first wholesale orders!