Market news from Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine:

The Arts Awards

W e capped off our Dallas market with a glittering evening at the ARTs Awards Gala, which honors “the best of the best in decorative accessories.” It was held in a new venue — the atrium of the newly expanded Dallas Trade Mart. The transformation of the space was amazing. Huge draperies were dropped down from the top of the building to enclose the area and give it a more intimate feeling (if any area that will accommodate dinner for 800-plus can feel intimate!).
Two of the big surprises of the evening were ties in two categories: sales representatives in the Midwest/Southwest region and Product Designers. BJ’s Home Accents, Newburgh, IN, a former Gifts & Decorative Accessories Retailer Excellence Award winner took home its fourth ARTs Award, and Retailer Excellence Award winner Homescapes Carmel, Carmel, CA, garnered its second ARTs Award. Homescapes’ Thompson Lange had not expected to win, knowing that he was up against Robb & Stuckey.

Here are some of the memorable comments from excited winners:

RISING STAR winner, Daniel Stuart Studio: “I’m Canadian and this is our American Dream; it’s a tribute to working hard and following our heart.”

EAST ATLANTIC HOME ACCENT SPECIALTY STORE, 24e: “Now I know what Ugly Betty felt like!" (referring to the TV program’s recent Golden Globe win).

MIDWEST/SOUTHWEST FURNITURE STORE, HW Home: “What’s great about ART is recognizing creativity and drive in a world that is so homogenized.”

On to Chicago!