I wanted to clarify my earlier response. I think when you are in a portrait competition, especially the PSA, you would expect the judges to be well qualified.
Likewise, I would expect a group like PleinAir Painters of America to also have qulaified judges. The 'mystery' seems to be most prevalent when a group of diverse work is generally judged as a group - abstract, experimental, landscape portrait, etc.. Honestly I can't image how something like the Artists' Magazine competition contends with 10,000 entries.
Also, Tony, I don't want your important news to get lost here, so I will post a note in the Member News section, hoping you don't mind
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