top of page
_edited.png)
RAINBOW TROUT
- 2022 JUDGES -
LIFESIZE MAMMAL AND
LARGE GAMEHEAD JUDGE
DANIEL MENG
With 20 years specializing in big cat and exotic animal taxidermy, Daniel Meng will be judging lifesize mammals. He has spent extended periods of time working in over 2 dozen taxidermy studios around the US and has also learned by visiting taxidermists in 5 other countries including his homeland of Switzerland. This vast array of knowledge and insight to the industry eventually led to winning a World title with a snarling leopard. Daniel currently works for Dakota Taxidermy and continues to travel to help others with private sessions in their studios as well as sculpting and selling a few cat forms, both lifesize and change out heads.
SMALL MAMMAL AND
SMALL GAMEHEAD JUDGE
JASON KRAUSE
Hello everyone. It's an honor to be your small mammal judge this year. Being from the small village of Rock in Schuylkill County, PA and raised in an outdoor loving family, it was a dream of mine as a young boy to become a taxidermist. Luckily for me that dream came true. Joining state associations has introduced me to amazing people and led me to many places along the way. So many have shared there knowledge with me over the years and I hope to be able to share with you some of that, and help you along your way to being the best artist you can be.
WHITETAIL JUDGE
CARY COCHRAN
I Cary Cochran have been involved in taxidermy for better than 50 years. I was VP and part-owner of Buckeye mannikins taxidermy supply. I was a sculptor and did research and development. I have done molding and casting as well as developed many new products and techniques. I have judged thousands of whitetail deer, birds, turkeys, waterfowls, gameheads, and many more lifesize mammals at the state, regional, nation, and even the world taxidermy shows. I have presented many Seminars and taught many classes. I have been lucky enough to win best in the world whitetail, as well as best whitetail at NTA and many state awards. I am a member of the national taxidermy hall of fame and the Ohio taxidermy hall of fame
FISH, REPTILE, AND AMPHIBIAN JUDGE
GARY BRUCH
Fish only Master Taxidermist Gary Bruch will be judging fish and reptiles. With many awards including National, North American, and World Champion warm water fish. He also has taught private seminars in his shop with students from most of the 50 states in the U.S. and a few international students as well. With experience in all aspects of fish taxidermy Gary especially enjoys molding and casting replica parts and offers artificial heads, fins and fish replicas for sale to the discriminating taxidermists.
HABITAT JUDGE
BOB "HUTCH" HUTCHINSON
Bob “Hutch” Hutchinson is from Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania. He has been doing taxidermy since 1980 and operating a full time studio since 2001. Through the years, he has earned multiple awards at the state and world levels and has earned his Masters Certificate in Habitat in 2019. He is passionate about habitat and it's influence and contribution to the overall mount appearance. He has judged on both the state and national level and was the first ever habitat judge for the World Show in 2019 and has also taught habitat techniques in Europe. Hutch is looking forward to the 2022 show and is honored to be your habitat judge and seminarian. Hutch is proud to be a brand ambassador for the Scenes-n-Nature product line. You won't want to miss his seminar, "Static Fiber and New Habitat Technology", during which he will be demonstrating the use of static fibers with the Static King tool to create realistic habitat as well as introducing contour sheet, a new product by Scenes-n-Nature.
BIRD, WATERFOWL, AND TURKEY JUDGE
DENNIS WESSNER
Started doing taxidermy in 1997. Opened a part time studio in 1998. I had also started going to competitions at the same time. I have compiled 4 masters certificates in Whitetail, Bird,Waterfowl as well as Turkey categories. I have won several Best of Shows, state and national championships as well of two world title awards. I now run a full time taxidermy studio with 5 employees doing a wide variety of North American, African and animals from all over the world.
WILDLIFE ART JUDGE
Arlene Lenzi Miller
Received a BS in Art Education from Indiana University of PA. She also completed graduate studies at IUP which included 2 summers in Lucca, Italy. Her graduate work included drawing, painting, sculpture and ceramics. She recently retired after 31 years of teaching Art in the Indiana Area School District.
During her time as a teacher she coordinated several student art displays throughout the community, including the “book art” showing at the Indiana Free Library, the Youth Arts Celebration at the Indiana Mall, and high school student work in the office windows of Senator’s White and Pittman on Philadelphia Street. Also she initiated and organized the Senior Show at the Artist Hand Gallery where the students learned how to plan an opening reception and professionally prepare and display their two and three dimensional art work.
For 15 years she taught 7th through 12th grade Arts Camp sponsored by the Indiana Arts Association.
She served on the New Growth Arts Festival juried arts selection committee for 10 years and was chairperson of the Artist’s Awards display held at the First Commonwealth Bank offices at the old courthouse in downtown Indiana.
In addition to judging several local arts competitions she has also been a judge for the Indiana Arts Association Spring Show.
bottom of page