by Kay Bishop and John Craft
The Printing Industry of the Carolinas (PICA) continues to recognize the best in printed products at its annual banquet. The competition among major commercial printing companies in North and South Carolina began in 1966. This year marks the “Diamond Anniversary,” celebrating “60 Diamond Years of Print Brilliance.” PICA also encourages high school and college students to compete in specific categories of printing technology. The NAPCO company, based in Sparta, North Carolina, sponsors the collegiate award. Rocky Proffit, an Appalachian State University Alumnus, founded NAPCO in 1977.
This year, Kenna Winslow won the Collegiate Best of Show Award. Winslow created the “Card Games” project for Professor Mandy Wu’s Introduction to Graphic Communication class in the Graphic Communications Management (GCM) program during the Fall 2025 semester. The class explores various printing processes, including screen printing, dye-sublimation, digital press, and die-cutting. Winslow says, “I am incredibly honored to have received this award. I want to thank PICA for this opportunity and NAPCO for sponsoring the award. My grandparents are the inspiration behind the designs of this entry. Playing card games is a special connection I share with them, and it has made receiving this award all the more meaningful.”
GCM majors and minors Kendall Carr, Addie Diem, Ava Whitt, Liz Greene, Kasey Musaka, Chloe Pound (Front row), Kenna Winslow, Riley Lesser, and Curran Linehan (back row) received awards at the PICA Awards Banquet in Charlotte.
Kay Bishop, Senior Lecturer in the GCM program, entered the project into the PICA contest’s student category. “When I saw Kenna’s piece in the print lab, I immediately thought that it should be entered into the PICA contest. The entire package was cohesive and produced with precision. The design was thoughtful and detailed,” says Bishop. “Since Kenna was enrolled in my Client Collaboration class at the time, I asked Kenna for permission to enter the piece. It was an honor to receive the award with Kenna on Professor Wu’s behalf at the PICA Awards.” The PICA Awards Banquet took place on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the Hilton Charlotte. Joe DeBoy, Vice President of NAPCO, presented the award to Winslow, who received a $500 scholarship and a matching gift to the GCM program. In addition, the program received eight other awards. Nine students attended the banquet, along with Kay Bishop and Professor Kevin Howell, interim GCM Program Director.
To top it off, Kenna was selected for the Foundation for Graphic Communications Education Scholarship. The Foundation, formerly known as the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation, is a nonprofit providing scholarships to students and professionals pursuing careers in graphic communications. Winslow is presently interning at Millennium Print Group in Morrisville, NC. The future is bright for Kenna Winslow and the GCM program.
thumbnail photo caption: GCM student Kenna Winslow received the PICA Award Collegiate Best of Show Award from Joe DeBoy, Vice President of NAPCO. Senior Lecturer Kay Bishop represented the GCM faculty.
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About the Department of Art
One of seven departments within the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Art at Appalachian State University prepares students to explore art, identity, expression, and creative problem-solving, while challenging them to push beyond their previous limits by discovering new connections to culture. The department offers degrees in art and visual culture, art education, graphic design, studio art, photography, and graphic communications management, with minors in art history, studio art, photography, and graphic communications management.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education for all.
2026 PICA Award thumbnail v2
2026 PICA Award thumbnail v2