Awards of Excellence
Awards of Excellence
The American Craft Council Awards of Excellence celebrate outstanding artists in our marketplaces. Our awards along with those presented by our partner organizations recognize makers who demonstrate exceptional quality of work, mastery of material, entrepreneurial effort, and whose values align with ACC’s mission to create healthy, vibrant, and equitable marketplaces.
American Craft Made / Baltimore 2023 Award Winners

Larry Allen (L A Pottery), for his crisp display, exhibiting beautiful craftsmanship and a clear mastery of technique.

Jennifer McBrien (jennyjen42), for her drawings with thread, which display a beautiful interplay with her selected textiles, and her admirable range from fine art to functional. The work expresses beautiful narratives.

Holly Anne Mitchell (Holly A Mitchell Jewelry), for her use of recycled materials and conceptual approach, as well as the longevity, durability, and impressive evolution of her work.
ACC Award of Excellence winners receive a cash prize and guaranteed entry into our next Baltimore marketplace.
Jurors: Leila Cartier of CraftNOW Philadelphia, Diana Spencer of Baltimore Jewelry Center, and Matthew Hyleck of Baltimore Clayworks
Artful Home Awards


Jacob Albee (Jacob Albee Designs), Jewelry & Adornment Award, for his refined craftsmanship, unique design, and masterful execution.

Jorgelina Lopez & Marco Duenas (La Loupe Design), Home & Living Award, for their updated interpretation of the ancient art of origami into contemporary luminous geometry.

Sehar Peerzada (Urban Masala), Apparel & Accessories Award, for the dramatic silhouettes and beautiful handprinted fabrics of her clothing—a standout at this year's show.

SaraBeth Post (Ultra Lit), Emerging Artist Award, for her striking use of color and dedication to process, including sandblasted finishes.
For Artful Home, art is a passion. This lifestyle brand is dedicated to offering the most exceptional and beautiful works of fine art, craft, and design for your home and wardrobe. The recipients of the Artful Home Awards exemplify a fusion of beautiful living and craftsmanship, and Artful Home is committed to supporting the livelihoods of the artists and designers who create the work that we cherish every day. Winners will receive a cash prize. Find Artful Home online at ArtfulHome.com.
Jurors: Myrtis Bedolla of Galerie Myrtis, Andy Cook of Made in Baltimore, and Sarah Marriage of A Workshop of Our Own
Asé Design Studio Award for Excellence in Wood

Asé Design Studio founded the Award for Excellence in Wood to honor their commitment to community empowerment and meaningful engagement. In their retail space, lotties-place.com, Asé Design Studio is intentional in their support of artisans representative of minority and/or underrepresented communities. This award is an extension of their continued commitment to support these communities, with the winner receiving a cash prize.
Jurors: Lawrence Moore and Darryl Patterson of Asé Design Studio
Past Award of Excellence Winners
All artists listed received a general Award of Excellence for quality of work unless otherwise noted.
2022
Baltimore
- Yarina Dai (James Renwick Alliance for Craft Award Honorable Mention)
- Jonah Jacobs (James Renwick Alliance for Craft Award Winner)
- Mary Jaeger (Apparel & Accessories Award - Sponsored by Artful Home)
- Linda Kindler Priest (Jewelry & Adornment Award - Sponsored by Artful Home)
- Cliff Lee (Home & Living Award - Sponsored by Artful Home)
- Andrew Sartorius (Emerging Artist Award - Sponsored by Artful Home)
JRA Craft award jurors: Rebecca Ravenal, Brenda Erickson, and Nedra Agnew, accompanied by JRA Craft president Jaimianne Jacobin
St. Paul
- Laura Baring-Gould (Home & Living Award - Sponsored by Artful Home)
- Katharine Eksuzian (Emerging Artist Award - Sponsored by Artful Home)
- Kathleen King (Jewelry & Adornment Award - Sponsored by Artful Home)
- Sarah Tremaine (Home & Living Award - Sponsored by Artful Home)
About our 2022 award sponsor: For Artful Home, art is a passion. This lifestyle brand is dedicated to offering the most exceptional and beautiful works of fine art, craft, and design for your home and wardrobe. The recipients of the Artful Home Awards exemplify a fusion of beautiful living and craftsmanship, and Artful Home is committed to supporting the livelihoods of the artists and designers who create the work that we cherish every day. Winners will receive a cash prize. Find Artful Home online at ArtfulHome.com.
2020
Baltimore (read the full blog post)
- Ian Petrie (Craft Connects Award)
- Mau Schoettle (Making Matters Award)
- Kimberly Camp (Craft Makes Us Human Award)
- Amy Nguyen (Born to Make Things Award)
- Ian Henderson and Sue-Yee Leung (Creative Spirit Abounds Award)
- Kate Eickelberg (James Renwick Alliance Award of Excellence for Innovation in Craft)
- Earl Jones (Society of North American Goldsmiths Award of Excellence in Jewelry and Metals)
Jurors: Lisa Bayne, Sarah Rachel Brown, George Ciscle, Leslie King-Hammond, Cara Ober, Rebecca Ravenal, Lowery Stokes Sims
2019
Atlanta (read the full blog post)
- Jim Cohen
- Hannah Beatrice Quinn
- Daiga Henson
- Tabitha Ott
- Jason Ruel Martin (Award of Excellence in Wood)
- Charlotte Friese (Award of Excellence in Fiber)
Jurors: Jean McLaughlin, Harriet Green
Baltimore (read the full blog post)
- Dianne Nordt
- Derek Hennigar
- Sean and Lisa Reico
- Michael and Misato Mortara
- Abra Gorby
- Sheko Kirby and Sarkis Chouljian
- Tenisha Dotstry
- Holly Tornheim (Collectors of Wood Art Award of Excellence)
- So Young Park (James Renwick Alliance Award of Excellence for Innovation in Craft)
- Gabriel Craig and Amy Weiks (Society of North American Goldsmiths Award of Excellence in Jewelry and Metals)
Jurors: Leila Cartier, Jason Thompkins, Sebastian Martorana
St. Paul (read the full blog post)
- Mark Fischer
- David Alvarado
- Verne Jidong Yan
- Bianca Abreu
- Kris Marubayashi (Award of Excellence in Clay)
- Tamra Thomas-Gentry (Award of Excellence in Fiber)
- Nolan Prohaska (Award of Excellence in Glass)
- Craig Johnson (Award of Excellence in Wood)
Jurors: Tamara Aupaumut, Tea Rozman-Clark and Jessie Lee-Bauder, Kira Liu, Brenda Tran
San Francisco (read the full blog post)
- Karyn Gabriel
- Mau Schoettle
- Amy Nguyen
- Terry Holzgreen
Jurors: Rob Forbes, Jennifer Morla, Mansur Nurullah, Cindy Weil
2018
Atlanta (read the full blog post)
- Mark Gardner
- Carolyn Morris Bach
- Kimberly Willcox
- Anne-Marie Chagnon (booth design)
- Jessica C. White (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
- Chie Hitchner (Rare Craft)
- Corry Blanc (Rare Craft)
Jurors: Amy Putansu, Balvenie (Lorne Cousin)
Baltimore (read the full blog post)
- Edna Madera
- Mina Norton
- Sara Thompson
- Lana Heckendorn
- Connie Verrusio (booth design)
- Michael Shuler (booth design)
- Perry Lewis (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
- Denise Nielsen and George Worthington (Collectors of Wood Art Award of Excellence for Art in Wood)
- Richard Haining (James Renwick Alliance Award of Excellence for Innovation in Craft)
- Amarette Gregor (Society of North American Goldsmiths Award of Excellence in Jewelry and Metals)
- Peter Brown (Rare Craft)
- Tim Arnold (Rare Craft)
Jurors: Meagen Black, Kristin Muller, Jennifer Zwilling
St. Paul (read the full blog post)
- Kelsey Larsen
- Kelly Marshall
- Sean Forest Roberts
- Matthew Nafranowicz (booth design)
- Alicia Goodwin (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
- Nicolette Absil (Rare Craft)
- Donald and Evelyn Shelton (Rare Craft)
Jurors: Scott Pollock, Balvenie (Jonathan Wingo)
San Francisco (read the full blog post)
- Judith Kinghorn
- Janet Chico
- Tom Boardman
- Michael Szabo (booth design)
- Kathleen Heafey (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
Juror: Nancy Gardner
2017
Atlanta (read the full blog post)
- Bill Gossman
- Virginia Spalter
- Tara Locklear
- Deb Karash (booth design)
- Eliana Arenas (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
Juror: Brian Wurst
Baltimore (read the full blog post)
- Robert Patterson
- Romulus Craft
- Liz Oppenheim
- Deborah Cross
- Amarette Gregor (booth design)
- Andrea Haffner (booth design)
- Brian Giniweski (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
- Salem Barker (Collectors of Wood Art Award of Excellence for Art in Wood)
- Seung Jeon Paik (James Renwick Alliance Award of Excellence for Innovation in Craft)
- Linda Kindler-Priest (Society of North American Goldsmiths Award of Excellence in Jewelry and Metals)
St. Paul (read the full blog post)
- Carol Snyder
- Seung-Hea Lee
- Ani Kasten
- Mary Pow (booth design)
- Emiko Shinozaki (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
Juror: Michael Radyk
San Francisco (read the full blog post)
- Chie Hitchner
- Sandra Enterline
- Holly Tornheim
- Rachel Shimpock (booth design)
- Erin Lynn Smith (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
Jurors: Alex Moses, Barbara Waldman
2016
Atlanta (read the full blog post)
- June Corley
- Keith Holt
- Muffy Young
- Paveen Chunhaswasdikul (booth design)
- Jessica C. White (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
Baltimore (read the full blog post)
- Takashi and Theresa Ichihara
- Kenny Pieper
- Marina Terauds
- Muffy Young
- Anna Boothe (booth design)
- David Short (booth design)
- Amy Blair (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
- Denise Nielsen & George Worthington (Collectors in Wood Art Award of Excellence for Art in Wood)
- Marian Schoettle (James Renwick Alliance Award of Excellence for Innovation in Craft)
- Lynda Bahr (Society of North American Goldsmiths Award of Excellence in Jewelry and Metals)
St. Paul (read the full blog post)
- Keith Clayton
- Mark Laub
- Gloria McRoberts
- James Carlin (booth design)
- Danny Saathoff (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
San Francisco (read the full blog post)
- Biba Schutz
- Koji Tanaka
- Muffy Young
- Lauri Chambers (booth design)
- Autumn Higgins (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
- Younha Jung (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
2015
Atlanta (read the full blog post)
- Vicki Essig
- Brandon Holschuh
- David Stine
- Barbara Zaretsky (booth design award)
- Lisa Klakulak (Hambidge Residency Award)
- Jocelyn Krodman (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
Baltimore (read the full blog post)
- Marc Tickle
- Amy Roper Lyons
- Hideaki Miyamura
- James Pearce
- Rachel Timmins (booth design award)
- David Royce (booth design)
- Norm Sartorius (Collectors of Wood Art Award of Excellence for Art in Wood)
- Stacey Lee Webber (James Renwick Alliance Award of Excellence for Innovation in Craft)
- Lisa Klakulak (James Renwick Alliance Award of Excellence for Innovation in Craft)
- George Sawyer (Society of North American Goldsmiths Award of Excellence in Jewelry and Metals)
- David Short (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
St. Paul (read the full blog post)
- James Borden
- Takashi Ichihara
- Eric Silva
- Scott McGlasson (booth design award)
- Elizabeth Pechacek (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
San Francisco (read the full blog post)
- Lauren Markley
- Amy Nguyen
- Mike Shuler
- Spoonwood Inc., (booth design award)
- Len Carella (Hip Pop Emerging Artist Award)
2014
Atlanta (read the full blog post)
- Jessica Green (Hambidge Residency Award)
- Brandon Holschuh
- Christy Klug
- Becky and Steve Lloyd
- Amy Flynn (booth design award)
Baltimore (read the full blog post)
- David D'Imperio (booth design award)
- Becky and Steve Lloyd (booth design award)
- N
- amu Cho
- Dustin Harris
- Wendy McAllister
- Hideaki Miyamura
- Keith Holt (Collectors of Wood Art – Excellence in Wood Award)
St. Paul (read the full blog post)
- Keith Lewis
- Gina Pannorfi
- Michael Route
- Robert and Tor Erickson (booth design award)
San Francisco (read the full blog post)
- Ashley Buchanan
- Kimberly Morris
- Lilith Rockett
- Amy Flynn (booth design award)
2013
Atlanta (read the full blog post)
- Mary O’Malley (Hambidge Residency Award)
- Rustbelt Rebirth
- Barry Rhodes
- Eric Silva (booth design award)
- Justin Teilhet
Baltimore (read the full blog post)
- Mary Donald
- Stephen Gretz (booth design award)
- Dustin Harris
- Brandon Holschuh (booth design award)
- Stacey Lee Webber
- Mark Nantz (Collectors of Wood Art – Excellence in Wood Award)
- Rustbelt Rebirth
St. Paul (read the full blog post)
- Steve Ford and David Forlano
- Mark Laub
- Mary O’Malley (booth design award)
- Margo Petitti
San Francisco (read the full blog post)
- Andrea Geer
- Scott McGlasson
- Jillian Moore
- John Liston – Niki Ulehla – David Whippen (shared booth design award)
2012
Atlanta (read the full blog post)
- Lucrezia Beerli-Bieler
- Connie Coady and Alex Matisse
- June Corley (booth design award)
- Mark Whitley
Baltimore (read the full blog post)
- Jiyoung Chung
- Juanita Girardin (booth design award)
- Reiko Ishiyama
- Denise Nielsen and George Worthington
- Mariko Swisher
- Philip Weber (booth design award)
St. Paul (read the full blog post)
- Robert Erickson
- Brandon Holschuh (booth design award)
- Tai and Tiara Kim
- Rebecca Hungerford
San Francisco (read the full blog post)
- Brandon Holschuh
- Nick Leonoff
- John Liston
- Emiko Oye (booth design award)
2011
Atlanta (read the full blog post)
- David Bryce
- Patricia Palson
- Gina Pannorfi
- Michael Schunke (booth design award)
Baltimore (read the full blog post)
- Kent Harris
- Deb Karash (booth design award)
- Walter and Margeaux Kent (booth design award)
- Taikyun Kim
- Lisa Klakulak
- S. Ashley Murphy
- Pavel Novak
- Myung Urso
St. Paul (read the full blog post)
- B.J. Christofferson
- Susan Mahlstedt
- Lynn Joris and K. Meta Reintsema
- Ikuzi Teraki and Jeanne Bisson (booth design award)
San Francisco (read the full blog post)
- James Aarons (booth design award)
- Judith Kinghorn
- Morgan Madison
- Francesca Vitali
2010
Atlanta
- Paveen Chunhaswasdiku
- Jennifer McCurdy (booth design award)
- James and Victoria Mullan
- Sonya Yong James
Baltimore
- Natalie Blake
- Bradford Woodworking (booth design award)
- Reiko Ishiyama
- Linda Kindler Priest
- Dan Mirer
- Cara Romano (booth design award)
- Gretchen Romey-Tanzer
- Holly Tornheim
St. Paul
- James Borden
- Scott McGlasson
- Martha Monson Lowe (booth design award)
- Beryl Schmid
San Francisco
- Geoffrey Giles
- Reiko Ishiyama
- Peggy Loudon (booth design award)
- Jane Sisco
2009
Atlanta
- Candiss Cole-Footitt
- Robert Farrell
- Derek Hennigar
- Aaron Hequembourg (booth design award)
Baltimore
- Jacob Albee
- John Dodd (booth design award)
- Emanuela Duca
- Peter Harrison
- Ani Kasten
- Ian Kessler-Gowell
- Justin and Brooke Rothshank
- Ikuzi Teraki and Jeanne Bisson (booth design award)
St. Paul
- Devta Doolan
- Daniel Dunbar (booth design award)
- Kelly Marshall
- Ikuzi Teraki and Jeanne Bisson
San Francisco
- Jeung-Hwa Park
- Niki Ulehla (booth design award)
- Francesca Vitali
- Maria White
2008
Atlanta
- Steve Ford and David Forlano
- Becky and Steve Lloyd
- Shu Juan Lu
- John Penrod (booth design award)
Baltimore
- Teresa Chang (booth design award)
- David D’Imperio
- Marc Maiorana
- George Peterson
- Biba Schutz
- Pablo Soto
- Jennifer Violette (booth design award)
Charlotte
- Xiaosheng Bi
- Peter Czuk
- Sandra McEwen
- Marcella Toro (booth design award)
St. Paul
- Joe Christensen
- Renee and Jim Engebretson
- Eugenie Torgerson (booth design award)
- Holly Tornheim
San Francisco
- Petra Class
- Steve Ford and David Forlano (booth design award)
- Eric Silva
- Darbury Stenderu
2007
Atlanta
- Matthew DeFrain
- David Eichelberger
- Billy Hall
- Aaron Hequembourg (booth design award)
Baltimore
- Matthew Eskuche
- Emily Felderman
- Karen Gilbert - Latifa Medjdoub - Agelio and Jonathan Batle - Eric Silva (shared booth design award)
- Andrea Janosik
- Shu Juan Lu
- Karin Noyes
- Ikuzi Teraki (booth design award)
- Betsy Youngquist
Charlotte
- Todd Gill
- Aaron Hequembourg
- Shu Juan Lu (booth design award)
- Marcia Macdonald
St. Paul
- Robert Erickson
- Rick Hintze (booth design award)
- Lonna Keller
- Kathleen Tesnakis
San Francisco
- Isaac Arms
- Agelio Batle
- Shu Juan Lu (booth design award)
- Wendy Stevens
Sarasota
- Kate Beck
- Sarah Hassler (booth design award)
- Kathleen Lamberti
- Akiko Sugiyama
2006
Atlanta
- Andrew Crawford
- Gabrielle Gould
- Jennifer Heller-Zurick (booth design award)
- Karl Yost
Baltimore
- Anthony Biancaniello
- Ann Brauer
- David Bryce
- Namu Cho
- Marcia Derse
- Hongsock Lee (booth design award)
- Steven Main and Karen Korobow-Main (booth design award)
- Lynn Whipple
Charlotte
- Suzanne and Matthew Crane (booth design award)
- Marti Mocahbee
- Kenny Pieper
- C. Elizabeth Smathers
St. Paul
- Renee and Jim Engebretson
- Mary Filapek and Lou Ann Townsend
- Jose Sierra
- C. Elizabeth Smathers (booth design award)
San Francisco
- Hongsock Lee (quality of work and booth design)
- Masuo Ojima
- Jeung Hwa-Park
Sarasota
- John Penrod
- Joseph Pozycinski
- Elaine Rader (booth design award)
- Candone Wharton
2005
Atlanta
Baltimore
Charlotte
- Michele Friedman
- Lynn Joris and K. Meta Reintsema
- Justin Teilhet
St. Paul
- Karren Brito
- Judith Kinghorn
- Lawrence Wheeler
San Francisco
Sarasota
- Nicario Jimenez
- Akiko Sugiyama
- Brian Sykes
2004
Atlanta
- James Borden
- James D.W. Cooper
- Mary Jackson
Baltimore
- Maureen and Michael Banner
- Hongsock Lee
- George Peterson
- JoAnne Russo
- Charles Savoie
- Ikuzi Teraki and Jeanne Bisson
Charlotte
St. Paul
San Francisco
Sarasota
- Anne Elliot
- Michael D. Mode
- Akiko Sugiyama
2003
Atlanta
Baltimore Summer
Baltimore Winter
- Mark Gardner
- Karen Gilbert
- Judith Hoyt
- Brad Johnson
- Ben Neubauer
- Jeung-Hwa Park
Charlotte
- Matthew Eskuche
- Douglas Harling
- Jacqueline Sanchez
Chicago
- Nicario Jimenez
- Tom McGurrin
- Richard M. Parrish
St. Paul
San Francisco
Sarasota
- Jim Martin
- E. Elizabeth Peters
- John Wesley Williams