37th ARTS Awards nominating panel and committee announced
Dallas Market Center and ART, the creative home furnishings network, have announced the committee and nominating panel for the 37th ARTS Awards, the premier international awards program dedicated to the home industry. 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).
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:
- Martha Graham, Martha Graham and Associates
- Christopher Todd Hall, Christopher Todd Design
- Maria Mullen, Hubbardton Forge
The ARTS Awards nominating panel is made up of independent industry professionals who will review the hundreds of nominees. Their evaluations will determine the list of 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. “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 will be celebrated at the gala.
To learn more about the ARTS Awards, visit dallasmarketcenter.com/ArtsAwards/.
Gold media and organization sponsors for the ARTS Awards are: Business of Home, Designers Today, Furniture Today, Gifts & Decorative Accessories, Home Accents Today, and Home Textiles Today.
Silver media and organization sponsors are: Aspire Home, Design News Now, Home News Now, and Lighting News Now.
Bronze media and organization sponsors are: American Society of Interior Designers Texas Chapter (ASID), Interior Design Society (IDS), PaperCity, Modern Luxury Interiors, and Cascale | Sustainable Furnishings Council.
For information about all upcoming markets and events, visit the Dallas Market Center website.
