2005 NICHE Award Finalists Announced

Furniture World Magazine

NICHE magazine, the exclusive trade publication for retailers of American craft, has announced the finalists for the 2005 NICHE Awards. More than 1,000 entries were received; up to four finalists were selected in each of the categories. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on February 20, 2005, at the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia. The NICHE Awards program recognizes the outstanding creative achievements of American craft artists who produce work for craft galleries and retail stores. Judging is based on three main criteria: - technical mastery and creativity, both in surface design and form - market viability - a distinct quality of unique and original thought Jurors for the awards were: Ettagale Blauer, freelance jewelry writer; Hillary Brett, Gallery Director for the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design in Hendersonville, N.C.; Mary Bronson and Anne Brown, Producers of ArtBaltimore; Walter Hazzard and Andre Morin, owners of Topeo Gallery in New Hope, Pa.; Paul Stankard, glass artist; and Jonathan Maxwell, metal furniture artist. Finalists are invited to display their work in the NICHE Awards exhibit at the February Buyers Market of American Craft, February 18-21, 2005, and are included in the Winter 2005 issue of NICHE magazine. About NICHE Magazine: NICHE magazine, the quarterly trade publication for fine American and Canadian craft retailers, is published by The Rosen Group, a Baltimore-based arts marketing, publishing and advocacy firm. In addition to NICHE, The Rosen Group publishes AmericanStyle, www.americanstyle.com, a bimonthly consumer lifestyle magazine for collectors of American art and fine craft, and produces the biannual Buyers Market of American Craft, the world’s largest wholesale arts event.