DALLAS—The 24th Annual ARTS Awards were presented on Saturday night, during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market. Given by Dallas Market Center and ART, the awards recognized excellence from retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives nationwide and took place at the Hilton Anatole for the second year.
ARTS Awards presenters included: John Gidding, designer and TV host who has appeared on the popular HGTV series “Curb Appeal: The Block” and Shay Geyer, interior designer of IBB Designs and design trend and style maven, who appears regularly on WFAA TV’s “Good Morning Texas.” Also, Dallas Market Center representatives included President and CEO Bill Winsor and COO Cindy Morris along with Mindy Lowack, Dallas Market Center’s leasing director and executive vice president of ART, and Sharon Davis, ART’s executive director.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s ARTS Awards winners,” said Winsor. “The ARTS Awards is a highlight of our January Market each year and we are honored to celebrate each of the winners’ extensive accomplishments.”
Dwell with Dignity, which helps families escape poverty and homelessness through design, was honored with the inaugural Visionary Award that recognizes industry innovation and excellence. Lisa Robison, founder and president, and Kim Turner, vice president and executive director of Dwell with Dignity accepted the award.
The Cooper family of Uttermost received the Academy of Achievement Award that recognizes companies and/or individuals that have made significant contributions to the industry. Founded by Bob and Belle Cooper in 1975 and currently led by their son, President Mac Cooper, Uttermost manufactures products in a range of categories including accent furniture, mirrors, wall decor, art, lighting, permanent botanicals and more. Mac Cooper accepted the award on behalf of his family. “We do believe in hard work, even if no one was watching,” he told the crowd.
Upon entering the ballroom at the Hilton Anatole for the dinner and awards ceremony portion of the ARTS Awards, guests were greeted by a glittering 14-foot-tall crystal strand curtain lining the stage and a custom-made, crystal embellished podium by Swarovski Elements.
The 2013 ARTS Award winners are:
Sales Representatives
East/Atlantic: Nancy Foster – Creating Atmospheres
Midwest/Southwest: Richard Alan – Richard Alan & Associates
West: Lucha Bott – Lucha Bott Sales
Furniture and Outdoor Retailer
Furniture Store: LOFT Home – Austin, Texas
Home Accents Stores
East/Atlantic: J Banks Design – Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Midwest/Southwest: Heather Scott Home & Design – Austin, Texas
West: Interior Illusions – West Hollywood, Calif.
Lighting Showrooms
East/Atlantic: Elements - Distinctive Lighting & Home Furnishings – Carle Place, N.Y.
Midwest/Southwest: Hinsdale Lighting – Hinsdale, Ill.
West: Elume Distinctive Lighting – Park City, Utah
Manufacturers
Accent Furniture: Worlds Away – Memphis, Tenn.
Area Rugs: Company C – Concord, N.H.
Home Accents: Creative Co-Op – Memphis, Tenn.
Home Textiles: Pine Cone Hill – Pittsfield, Mass.
Lighting Fixtures: Visual Comfort & Co. – Houston, Texas
Outdoor Living: Sunset West – Vista, Calif.
Portable Lamps: Arteriors Home – Carrollton, Texas
Tabletop: Beatriz Ball Collection – Harvey, La.
Wall Decor: Leftbank Art – La Mirada, Calif.
Green Manufacturer: Loloi Rugs – Dallas, Texas
Special Categories
Product Designer: Beth Lacefield – Lacefield Designs
International Retailer: Multi Luminaire – Laval, Quebec, Canada
Rising Star Retailer: Clive Daniel Home – Naples, Fla.