ALFRED L. CHEAURÉ, is a purebred dog, enthusiast with a lifelong love of the Golden Retriever.

His Champion Golden Retriever, Anni, led to his strong interest in the AKC.  He is the Delegate for the Greater St. Louis Obedience Training Club and regularly attends conformation, obedience, agility and performance events to visit with the fancy and to enjoy the competition.

Mr. Cheauré is also a Director of the AKC Museum of the Dog.

He holds an MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration with Distinction Honors.

Prior to becoming President of the AKC, Mr. Cheauré was a career nuclear submarine officer in the United States Navy and commanded a nuclear submarine squadron.

"As the President of the American Kennel Club, one of my daily joys is to be surrounded by a priceless canine art collection that is the hallmark of our New York City headquarters.  It was the Chairman's vision to publish a book of the AKC and AKC Museum of the Dog collections and we have just released "A Breed Apart" that is a tribute to purebred dogs in all aspect of the sport and as a loyal and loving companion and friend.  And so you can imagine my great joy to be one of the jurors for the 2002 competition.  the entire experience was unique because of the warm hospitality of the organizing committee and the ability to contribute in every aspect of this event from unpacking and cataloging the entries, to arranging the exhibits and finally to making a decision as a juror.  From my personal eye, I was impressed by the excellent quality of the art entered in this competition and in particular could see in many pieces that the artist has captured the very essence of the breed.  For me this was particularly important, as was the expression of originality.  We should all be pleased with the strength and depth of quality of our artists in giving us such wonderful works of art.  Thank you again for a wonderful experience!"   

Alfred L. Cheauré, New York, N.Y.

AMY GESSNER LARSON, animal artist, grew up in Wisconsin and earned a BA from the University of Wisconsin, Eau  Claire.  Working in a representational manner, she successfully seeks to capture the essence of her subjects as well as their physical likeness in her watercolor paintings.  Larson is a three time Best of Show winner of the Art Show at the Dog Show ; winning in 1988, 1991 and 1996.  Ms Larson had three wildlife paintings accepted and sold in the Christies' Wildlife Art Show in London in 1998.

Today she works almost exclusively on commission.  She prefers to spend some time with the subject she is undertaking to paint in order to study the individual personality of the animal.  She is also an award winning equine artist.  She operates a dressage stable where she trains and teaches riding

"The 2002 Art Show at the Dog Show was a wonderful celebration of the canine form in Art.  There was an impressive representation of most breeds throughout the media included in the show, and a wide variation in styles... making Jury choices difficult at times.  the Photography category was particularly strong, with several very outstanding pieces.  Every category had a nicely rounded body of work, with some exceptional entries that made the Awards judging interesting.

The 2002 show will be a wonderful tribute to our canine friends.  Thanks to all who entered their work, and a special thanks to everyone involved in making the show such a great success."

Amy Larson, Topeka, KS

JOHN D'ANGELO is Director of CityArts of Wichita and has been with the city for 22 years.  Serves on the board of the Urban Arts Federation of arts councils in the 50 largest U.S. cities.  Has served on the board of Wichita Design Council, which reviews all public projects.  His responsibility includes review of the city's $1.6 billion capital Improvement Programs for aesthetic consideration.  As a working watercolor artist in the region he has won awards in the region and on national level.

"I always enjoy having the Art Show at the Dog Show here at our facility and it was an honor to be included as one of the jurors this year.  I think this years photo entries were the strongest category.  The watercolor was very close second.  The diversity of the treatment of the subject matter and the variety of medium used are always interesting to see.  And as we like to say here at CityArts; there are pounds of Pointers, tons of Terriers, oodles of Poodles and mounds of mutts and something for everyone."

John D'Angelo, Wichita, KS