The finalists for the 20th annual ARTS Awards, the premier awards program for the home decorative accessories industry, have been named.
This year’s gala will take place on Jan. 17 during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market (Jan. 14–20, 2009).
“Congratulations to the finalists for this year’s ARTS Awards,” said Bill Winsor, president and chief executive officer, Dallas Market Center. “It’s an honor to celebrate these outstanding manufacturers, retailers, product designers, and sales reps during the 20th anniversary of the ARTS Awards.”
The finalists will submit a detailed portfolio to a panel of judges previously announced—Mark McMenamin, senior editor at Interior Design; Janace Clarke, associate professor of fashion merchandising at Texas Christian University; Rawlins Gilliland, retail consultant and expert; Helen Erdman, founder of Helen Erdman Interiors; and Pat Mayfield, founder and president of Pat Mayfield Consulting, LLC.
The portfolios will consist of information including company history, philosophy, product development, marketing, merchandising and customer relations. In November, the panel of judges will convene in Dallas for two days to individually review each company’s submission. Once judging is completed, a designated accounting firm will tabulate and secure the ballots until the winners are announced in January.
The ARTS Awards consist of 26 categories under the headings Manufacturer, Retailer, Product Designer, Sales Representative, Rising Star and Academy of Achievement. Manufacturers and the Rising Star award are nominated by retailers, sales representatives, designers, suppliers, consultants and other industry officials. Retailers are nominated by manufacturers, sales representatives and other industry officials. Sales representatives are nominated by manufacturers, retailers and other industry officials. Product designers are nominated by all.
The Academy of Achievement honoree is selected by the ARTS Awards committee each year. Companies that have won the ARTS Awards five or more times will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame members are C.S. Wo & Sons, Distinctive Designs International Inc., Fine Art Lamps, Montaage, Natural Decorations Inc., Palecek, Robb & Stucky and Schonbek Worldwide Lighting.
