NICHE Magazine Announces Finalists for Fine Craft Competition
Baltimore, Md. (Nov. 16, 2009) — NICHE magazine, the exclusive trade publication for retailers of American and Canadian craft, has announced the finalists for its 2010 NICHE Awards program in the professional division.
The NICHE Awards competition annually recognizes excellence and innovation in North American craft. In the professional division, judging is based on three main criteria: technical excellence, both in surface design and form; market viability; and a distinct quality of unique, original and creative thought.
The professional division was judged by: gallery owners Bruni Obriecht, Kelly Richard, Diane and Madis Sulg and Susie Wilber; arts advocates Clemmer and David Montague and Emma Quin, who was aided by associates Mark Lewis and Sara Washbush; and tradeshow representative Rebecca Mercado.
Jurors selected 161 finalists out of nearly 1,000 entries in 36 categories. A complete list of the professional division finalists is now available here. Finalists in the student division will be announced next month.
All finalists are invited to display their work in the NICHE Awards exhibit at the Buyers Market of American Craft, the nation's largest wholesale craft show, Feb. 12-15, 2010, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa. Finalists in the professional division will also be featured in the Winter 2010 issue of NICHE magazine.
Award winners will be announced during the Buyers Market at a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 12, and will be featured in the Spring 2010 issue of NICHE magazine.