MAINE CRAFT ARTIST AWARD
HONOR. RECOGNITION. EXCELLENCE
Since 2009, the Maine Crafts Association has celebrated the exceptional contributions of craft artists through the Maine Craft Artist Award. This annual honor recognizes artists for an outstanding body of work and a distinguished career of service to Maine’s craft community. The award signifies excellence and brings well-deserved prestige and acknowledgment to the artist’s achievements.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: Now through May 31, nominate a well-deserving craft artist for the 2025 awards cycle. Learn more and nominate below.
AWARD CRITERIA
This award is granted for a body of work and career of service in the Arts. Nominees’ work is judged through images of the body of work (and/or hands‐on examination of individual pieces), documentation of the artists’ career through resumes, portfolios, publications, etc. In reviewing the work of artists nominated for Maine Crafts Artist Awards, the juror is guided by these benchmarks: excellence in craftsmanship, inspired design, a singular voice or style, and a career of service to the field.
Excellence in craftsmanship is demonstrated by work that shows the highest standards of quality, a superior command of the medium far beyond basic and intermediate proficiency skills: attention to detail, and use of materials that further enhance overall design. Entire works are executed without technical flaw and meet their intended purpose, functioning impeccably. The appropriateness of technique and process are successfully united in pieces that show excellence of craftsmanship.
Inspired design is demonstrated by work whose design shows resolution: excellent composition, employing tension and space to enhance overall design. Choice of materials and methods show innovation and proficiency. Inspired design also surprises or intrigues the viewer.
Singular voice or style is an innate part of the established and acclaimed craftsperson’s expression. A conceptual richness evidenced in the work shows the nature, complexion and execution that mark the individual’s work as distinctive. It sets the work apart, not only qualitatively, but also in achieving an individual identity, readily recognizable as belonging to that maker.
A dedicated career or service to the field of craft in Maine can be demonstrated by individual artists or organizations who have created or assisted in opportunities to further the practice of craft for others. Examples include craft instructors, arts administrators, curators, galleries or museum administrators and staff, education coordinators, studio coordinators, schools, arts writers and more.
MAINE CRAFT ARTIST AWARDEES RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:
- Lifetime MCA membership
- Award certificate
- Recognition at the annual award presentation
- Annually created award pin that is designed to reflect the honoree
- Special press release/website feature
- Solo Exhibition at Center for Maine Craft (SMC Retail Gallery)
- Invitation to teach at MCA Weekend Workshop at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts
- Invitation to exhibit at any scheduled Guild Fine Craft Shows (offered by Shop Maine Craft)
- Inclusion in anniversary exhibitions, such as 10-year, 20-year (to be announced)
Thanks to generous funding from The Maxwell|Hanrahan Foundation, each awardee will receive a $4,000 honorarium in addition to historical benefits and endorsements of the Maine Craft Artist Award through 2026.
AWARD RECIPIENTS
2024
Daniel Minter
Artist Award
2024
Karen Gelardi
Artist Award
2023
Ellen Wieske
Artist Award
2023
Tim Christensen
Artist Award
2022
Ayumi Horie
Artist Award
2021
Marian Baker
Artist Award
2021
Tim McCreight
Artist Award
2020
Doug Wilson
Artist Award
2019
Tom Ferrero
Artist Award
2018
Patricia Daunis
Artist Award
2018
David Wolfe
Artist Award
2018
Steve Cayard
Artist Award
2017
Anna Hepler
Artist Award
2016
Elizabeth Busch
Artist Award
2016
Tammy Knight
Supporter Award
2015
Rebecca Goodale
Artist Award
2015
Sam Shaw
Artist Award
2014
Sharon Townshend
Artist Award
2013
Theresa Secord
Artist Award
2012
Lynn Duryea
Artist Award
2012
Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts
Supporter Award
2011
Jacques Vesery
Artist Award
2011
Michael Baran
Supporter Award
2010
Katharine Cobey
Artist Award
2010
Robyn Holman
Supporter Award
2010
Patricia Eltman
Supporter Award
2009
Lissa Hunter
Artist Award
2009
Fred Woell
Artist Award
2009
Christian Becksvoort
Artist Award
2009
Paul Heroux
Artist Award
2009
John Baldacci
Supporter Award
2009
John Rohman
Supporter Award
2009
Haystack Mt. School of Crafts
Supporter Award
2009
Carl Little
Supporter Award
NOMINATIONS – DUE May 31, 2025
We aim to recognize a diversity of voices, backgrounds, cultural heritage, as well as exemplary contributions to the craft community and the field of materials-based practice.
To nominate an artist for the Maine Craft Artist Award please collect the following information, follow the link below, and fill out the form! Self nominations are permitted.
FORM CRITERIA:
– The media the artist works in / Professional title if nominating for a dedicated career of service to the field of craft
– Artist nominee’s email, phone number, mailing address
– Link to the artists website for portfolio review and/or bio, resume and CV
– A written description of the highlights of the nominees studio practice.
– A written description of the highlights of the nominees contribution to the craft community.
If this content is not available online, you may submit the materials directly to Simonne@MaineCrafts.org
The Maine Crafts Association is the proud recipient of a charitable gift from the Maxwell|Hanrahan Foundation in support of the Maine Craft Artist Awards. We are honored to accept this grant to build upon the 15 year legacy of the award by offering new benefits to future recipients.
The mission of the Maxwell|Hanrahan Foundation is to support innovative people working in field-based science, art and craft, teaching and protection of the natural world.
Thanks to generous funding from The Maxwell|Hanrahan Foundation, each awardee will receive a $4,000 honorarium in addition to historical benefits and endorsements of the Maine Craft Artist Award through 2026.
2009
Pin by Fred Woell, reproducing an original design made in the 1980’s for the MCA
Awarded To:
Artists: Lissa Hunter, Fred Woell, Christian Becksvoort, Paul Heroux
Supporters: John Baldacci, John Rohman, Haystack Mt. School of Crafts, Supporter Award, Carl Little
2010
Pin by Chaya Caron
Awarded To:
Artist: Katharine Cobey
Supporters: Patricia Eltman, Robyn Holman
2011
Pin by John Wise
Awarded To:
Artist: Jacques Vesery
Supporter: Michael Baran
2012
Pin by Christine Peters
Awarded To:
Artist Lynn Duryea
Supporter: Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts
2013
Pin by Christine Peters
Awarded To: Theresa Secord
2014
Pin by Maggie Moore
Awarded To: Sharon Townshend
2015
Pin by Nisa Smiley
Awarded To: Rebecca Goodale & Sam Shaw
2016
Pin by Jackie Haines
Awarded To:
Artist Elizabeth Busch
Supporter: Tammy Knight
2017
Pin by Donna DaAquino
Awarded To: Anna Hepler
2018
Pin by Michelle Henning
Awarded To:
Patricia Daunis-Dunning, David Wolfe, Steve Cayard
2019
Pin by Jim Macdonald
Awarded To: Tom Ferrero
2020
Pin by Ebenezer Akakpo
Awarded To: Douglas E. Wilson
2021
Pin by Lisa & Scott Cylinder
Awarded To: Marian Baker & Tim McCreight
2022
Pin by Erica Moody
Awarded To: Ayumi Horie
2023
Pins by J.E. Paterak
Awarded To:
Tim Christensen & Ellen Wieske
2024
Pins by Shelby Goldsmith & Aminata Conteh
Awarded To:
Karen Gelardi & Daniel Minter
Meet the juror! – Coming soon!
Congratulations to our two 2024 honorees: Karen Gelardi & Daniel Minter!
The annual awards presentation and ceremony will be held on December 10 at SPACE Gallery in Portland, ME. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the presentation will begin at 6:00 p.m.
The event will include speakers on behalf of the artists, the awards tradition of gifting a handmade pin that reflects the honorees to the recipients, and words from MCA’s leadership.
The public, friends, and supporters of both honorees are welcome to register for and attend the presentation to celebrate the recipients.
Space is limited, registration is required.
Tuesday, December 10 | Doors Open at 5:30 pm, presentation starting at 6:00 pm
SPACE Gallery | 538 Congress St. Portland, ME 04101
2024 PRESENTATION AND CEREMONY IMAGES
2021 vocabulary update: The award program was named the Master Craft Artist Awards, and is now renamed Maine Craft Artist Awards. Our intention with this change is to participate in the progression of language / vocabulary in our field, and society, toward being more equitable, welcoming and sensitive to the impact of language, due to historical and other connotations, on our communities. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we update the vocabulary throughout our site, beginning with the 2021 content. There are past uses of the previous name in dated material (in old press releases, announcements or quotes for example) which may remain.
2023 PRESENTATION AND CEREMONY IMAGES
2021 vocabulary update: The award program was named the Master Craft Artist Awards, and is now renamed Maine Craft Artist Awards. Our intention with this change is to participate in the progression of language / vocabulary in our field, and society, toward being more equitable, welcoming and sensitive to the impact of language, due to historical and other connotations, on our communities. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we update the vocabulary throughout our site, beginning with the 2021 content. There are past uses of the previous name in dated material (in old press releases, announcements or quotes for example) which may remain.