About the Judges-2025

McCauley is the Executive Director of the Albany Barn, Inc.. The Electric City Barn falls under Albany Barn Inc. where she has been with the organization since June of 2021 and feels right at home. She holds an M.S. in Organizational Membership with a Public Administration Specialization from Sage Graduate Schools. Her B.F.A. in Studio Art is from Cazenovia College, with minors in Arts Management, Art History, and Photography.

Wei Qin is the president and founder of Asian Arts New York (AANY) in the Capital Region of New York, where she is recognized for her work promoting Asian culture through arts, education and performances. She is also a cultural figure known for her expertise in the traditional Chinese tea ceremony and as a featured performer of Peking opera.

Richard Lovrich is an independent Creative Director whose clients include ARMORY STUDIOS NY. From his home base studio in Manhattan, he has traveled around the world to destinations including Argentina, Russia, Venezuela, Mexico, Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Portugal as a photographer for various clientele. Richard currently works tirelessly as an advocate for the rare Alpha-1 disease as well.

Tina Lincer is a lifelong writer and visual artist. She has been published in dozens of newspapers, magazines and anthologies, and has exhibited her paintings and collage pieces at galleries and other art venues near and far. Formerly the associate director of communications at Union College, she is now enjoying retirement, with more time for painting and writing.

Devery Gara is the owner and operator of Mohawk Valley Art Shoppe, 101 State St, Schenectady. An accomplished artist, specializing in pet portraits, Devery is a great supporter of the arts, as her shop serves as a gallery for artists on a continuing basis, and holds regular art classes. She currently is exhibiting (12) local artists, with proceeds from art sold donated to selected charities!

My artistic and aesthetic training began early, as my parents were artists. After graduating for NYU in 1969 with a degree in Sociology, I took art classes at the New York Art Students League, Hunter College and at the current Woodstock School of Art. In 1971, one of my large folded canvas pieces was selected for the Mohawk-Hudson Regional Art Exhibit. Despite this early success, I decided to go to graduate school and became a clinical social worker working with children and families. In 2001, nearing retirement, I began classes with award winning painter Karen Rosasco. This revitalized my enthusiasm for art. Now, retired, I devote much of my time to my artistic endeavors. You can view my work at http://pwatrousart.weebly.com.

Betsy Sandberg is a Board Member of the ElectriCity Arts and Entertainment District, the parent organization of Schenectady Kids Arts Festival, Jazz on Jay and Art In Bloom. Betsy has been a community arts organizer for over 10 years in Schenectady. She chairs the planning committee for Kids Arts Festival, and volunteers for other art events.

Maryanne Malecki is a career educator in history and language arts. She has developed/written materials and programs for The New York Times, NYS Archives, NYS Newspaper Project, and WAMC Northeast Public Radio. A self-taught artist, her paintings have been exhibited in juried shows throughout the Capital Region for the past decade.