2004 NICHE Award Finalists Announced -The Most Innovative and Creative Designs in Home Decor

Furniture World Magazine

Some of the most innovative and creative artists in the American craft industry have been recognized in the 2004 NICHE Awards. Sponsored by NICHE magazine, the exclusive trade publication for retailers of American craft, the NICHE Awards received more than 1,000 entries; up to four finalists were selected in each of the 36 categories. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on February 15 at the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia. Home decor categories include: ceramics, clocks, fiber, furniture, garden art, glass, goblets, lighting: lamps, metal, mixed and miscellaneous, recycled, teapots and wood. The NICHE Awards program recognizes the outstanding creative achievements of American craft artists who produce work for craft galleries and retail stores. Judging criteria are based on three main distinctions: • technical mastery and creativity, both in surface design and form • market viability • a distinct quality of unique and original thought Jurors for the awards included: David and Paula Brooks, owners of Appalachian Springs; Jeff Guido, artistic director for The Clay Studio; Hazel Wheaton, editor of Lapidary Journal; Shari and Stephen Ashman, collectors of American craft; and Rebecca Klemm, collector of American craft. Finalists are invited to display their work in the NICHE Awards exhibit at the February Buyers Market of American Craft, February 12-16, 2004, and are included in the Winter 2004 issue of NICHE magazine. The Rosen Group publishes NICHE magazine, www.nichemag.com, as well as AmericanStyle magazine, www.americanstyle.com, the exclusive arts lifestyle magazine for enthusiasts and collectors. The Rosen Group is also producer of the Buyers Market of American Craft, the world’s largest wholesale art event and largest source of handcrafted home decor made in America and Canada, www.americancraft.com.