Mary Jo Dowling, CMSA, ICJ, holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from Carnegie Mellon University and brings a strong foundation in visual design and composition to the art of wedding cake design. Prior to entering the baking industry, she worked for over 15 years as an Art Director specializing in layout, web design, graphics, and photography.
She began cake decorating in 2005 and, in 2009, achieved the distinguished title of Certified Master Sugar Artist (CMSA) from the International Cake Exploration Société — an honor held by fewer than fifty artists worldwide. In 2017, she earned the designation of ICES Certified Sugar Artist Judge (ICJ).
An accomplished competitor, Mary Jo has earned numerous Best of Show titles, division championships, and national awards throughout her career, establishing a consistent record of excellence in high-level competition. She has also held significant leadership roles within ICES, including President, Chairman of the Board, and Certification & Education Chairman.
As Judge for the Wedding Cake Category, Mary Jo is recognized for her disciplined artistic standards, depth of technical knowledge, and commitment to professional integrity. Her perspective reflects both formal artistic training and years of structured certification and competition experience.