Dow shines in framing competition

Myrna Dow, owner of High Desert Gallery in Sisters and Bend, was awarded First Place Print Competition and First Place Open Competition at the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) Cascade Chapter (Oregon-Washington) regional competition held in September at Newberg Gallery.

No stranger to stiff competition, Dow has distinguished herself with prior honors in the PPFA's International Framing Competitions, including top honors and first place.

"These events are always exciting," she said. "You're up against some of the best custom picture framers in the industry."

Dow received First Place in the Print Competition, where all entrants framed "Fall Color Blue Sky," a digital photograph of an autumn leaf floating on blue water.

"It was definitely a challenge," she said, adding that the choice was designed to test the level of the framer's skill. "Even though the print was unsigned, we needed to treat it as if it would hang in a museum forever. A framer's technical abilities, understanding of conservation techniques, and design sense all come into play. So a challenge, yes!"

Dow also received first place in the open competition, where entrants framed an item of the framer's choice. Dow selected a solar print by John Simpkins.

"I was very happy with the results. When finished, it felt solid, felt right," she said. "You do everything you can and put yourself out there."

All professional custom picture framers in the Cascades Chapter of the PPFA were eligible to enter the regional competition, where preservation materials and practices for custom framing were encouraged and scored. The custom framing entries in the print competition were judged on four critical components, including overall impressions, design and creative elements, technique, and critical assessment of skills.

"These events demonstrate how important professional custom framing is when protecting artwork, so that it will last forever," Dow said.

Dow received perfect scores from custom framing expert Paul MacFarland, who flew in to judge the competition, as well as a local judge.

"I do what every framer should be doing," Dow said. "I look at the artwork first, then focus on framing that supports the artwork aesthetically, using the best in conservation technique. It's what I love about these competitions - the demonstrated skill level is extremely high. It forces me to do my very best and push my abilities to the highest level. And they're really, really fun."