South Carolina Press Association executive director Bill Rogers presents Pickens County Courier graphic artist Emily Wright with the 17 awards she won in the SCPA’s Palmy Advertising Contest.

PICKENS — Pickens County Courier graphic artist Emily Wright recently picked up 17 awards in the South Carolina Press Association’s annual Palmy Advertising Contest.

Wright’s unique talent earned her two first-place awards, six second-place awards, six third-place awards and three honorable mentions in this year’s contest.

Wright’s entries were judged by press association members from other states around the nation. She was competing against all other newspapers in South Carolina.

“I am extremely proud of the work that Emily produces for our advertisers,” Courier publisher Rocky Nimmons said. “We are a small, locally owned newspaper, but Emily’s work takes a backseat to no paper, big or small, across South Carolina. She always produces the best possible work for each and every one of our customers.”

Wright’s work covered a wide range of categories in the contest. Her ability to convey customers’ messages through print media in an innovative and personal way drives customers to local businesses.

“Emily does an awesome job,” Courier advertising director Mignonne Matheson said. “I am so glad the South Carolina Press Association recognized her for her incredible work again this year.”

Wright has been in the newspaper business since 2006 and was a founding member of the Courier’s original staff when the paper was started in 2007. She has headed up the graphics department at the newspaper since the very first issue.

She has earned more than 75 statewide Palmy awards since 2007.

“It makes me feel really good that I have been able to earn these awards and the respect of my peers in the newspaper industry,” Wright said. “I am so amazed that what started as doodles on birthday cards for my parents as a child has turned into such a way of life for me. Not many people can say they love what they do and make a career of it.

“I am glad our advertisers get noticed by the work I do for them. That is a wonderful feeling to know that in some small way I contribute to their success in Pickens County. I am pleased with the number of awards I received this year, but in no way am I content, and I will continue to strive to build and create the best advertisements for all our loyal customers and future customers.”

Wright lives in Dacusville with her husband, David. She has an associate’s degree in art, focusing on graphic design, from Greenville Technical College. She also has a web design certificate and is the webmaster for the Courier’s website, yourpickenscounty.com. She enjoys all forms of artwork and offers graphic services, including flyers, invitations, photo restoration and logos, through her personal website, thewrightwaydesign.com or on Facebook by searching for The Wright Way Designs.

Wright’s awards this year included: Merchant Group or Signature Page – first place – Ad Home Improvement; Use of Humor – first place – Helping Hands Hearing Services; Automotive – 1/2 Page or Greater – second place – Benson Ford; Jewelry, Florists and Gift Shops – second place – TC Bearies Hallmark; Drug, Beverage, Specialty Food or Grocery Ad – second place – Martha’s Marvelous Munchies; Small Space Ad of Less Than 1/4 Page – second place – Smithfield’s Country Club (SCC); Use of Color – second place – Pickens Auto Repair Center; Miscellaneous Retail or Classified Display Ad – second place – Nestfeathers; Real Estate – third place – The Foothills Retirement Community; Furniture or Office Furnishings – third place Walker’s Furniture; Automotive – 1/2 Page or Greater – third place – Benson Ford; Jewelry, Florists and Gift Shops – third place – Something Special; Newspaper Promotion – third place – Pickens County Courier; Series of Ads – third place – Robinson’s Department Store; Jewelry, Florists and Gift Shops – honorable mention – Nestfeathers Honorable Mention; Restaurants/Nightlife – honorable mention – Orange Spot Café Honorable Mention; Health Services – honorable mention – Behavioral Health Services Of Pickens County.

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