DALLAS-Arlette Baker, veteran decorative accessories buyer for Carls Furniture in Boca Raton, Fla., will be honored with the Academy of Achievement Award at the 19th Annual ARTS Awards on Saturday, Jan. 19.
During her 20-year tenure as accessories buyer for Carls Furniture, Baker increased the dollar volume in the accessory division by 6 percent and has been recognized as an industry leader in her fashion presentation of the category. She was recently nominated by Women in the Home Industries Today with the WithIt 2007 WOW Legacy Award, and is a seven-time ARTS Awards nominee and five-time winner. Baker is also an inductee in the furniture industry's Hall of Fame and was nominated for Retailer of the Year by the Furniture Sales Representatives Association.
Baker was born in Antwerp, Belgium. She escaped the Nazi terror in Europe and came to the United States and was orphaned at age 8.
Over the years she married, raised three children and played a vital role in her community, according to her biography. She has volunteered and supported many organizations including the Boys and Girls Club, American Heart Association, Jewish National Fund, Humane Society, American Cancer Society and the Junior League of Boca Raton.
She was recognized as the "Woman Volunteer of the Year" in 2005 by the Junior League of Boca Raton. She has also been instrumental in raising funds for the Boca Raton Community Hospital.
The Academy of Achievement Award is presented to a person who has made significant contributions to the decorative accessories industry. The honor, along with awards for the more than 20 category winners, is presented at the annual ARTS Awards, hosted by Dallas Market Center and the Accessories Resource Team every January during DMC's Total Home & Gift Market, which will run from Jan. 16 to 22. The 19th Annual ARTS Awards gala will be held in The Grand Pavilion at the DMC's Trade Mart.
For tickets, contact Sara MacDonald at (214) 655-7635 or
smacdonald@dmcmail.com - mail>smacdonald@dmcmail.com. Ticket prices are $125 for ART members and $150 for non-members. Tables of eight are available for $900.