A committee and nominating panel have been set for next year’s 37th ARTS Awards, setting into motion one of the biggest award events in the home décor industry.
The ARTS Awards committee consists of three industry professionals charged with overseeing the nomination and selection of the ARTS Awards, including the categories of Academy of Achievement and HEARTS Award. They also serve on the nominating panel. The members of the committee are:
The ARTS Awards nominating panel is made up of independent industry professionals who will review the hundreds of nominees. Their evaluations will determine ARTS Awards finalists, who will subsequently submit their materials for judging in the fall. The members of the nominating panel are:
- Beth Bender, Dove Agency
- Jenny Cano, Interior Design Society
- Patti Carpenter, Carpenter + Company
- Mary Liz Curtin, Leon and Lulu
- Mike DiPaulo, Homefest
- Tim Flannery, Retired
- Caroline Hipple, HB2
- Linda Longo, Lighting News Now
- Monica Loving, Ivystone
- Jaye Anna Mize, Future Snoops
- Warren Shoulberg, home furnishings journalist
“This committee represents the depth and range of talent across our industry,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center, which co-hosts the awards with ART. “Their insight and expertise will be invaluable as we identify this year’s finalists and continue to raise the bar for the ARTS Awards.”
“We’re grateful to this group for lending their time and expertise to such a thorough process,” said Sharon Davis, executive director of ART. “Their collective knowledge of the industry ensures the strongest nominees rise to the top as finalists.”
Online ballots were open March through June 25, with no fees, membership, or exhibiting requirements — anyone in the home accents industry could submit multiple nominations, including self-nominations, across retailer, manufacturer, designer, and sales representative categories. For 2026, the regional categories were updated, combining the West and Southwest and expanding the East to better reflect industry excellence nationwide.
The committee has reviewed this year’s nominations and will announce finalists in August. Finalists submit their materials digitally by November, when a panel of five judges — plus a sixth from the Cascale | Sustainable Furnishings Council for the Green Award — scores each entry. Winners, including the Academy of Achievement honoree, will be celebrated at the gala.
Winners will be celebrated at the ARTS Awards gala on Friday, Jan. 8, 2027, during the run of Total Home & Gift Market (Jan. 6-12) and Lightovation (Jan. 5-9).
