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Honoring the Craft Industry’s Best

by Sara Baker September 28, 2010

: NICHE publisher Wendy Rosen (center, in blue), celebrates with some of the 2010 Top Retailer Award winners, including (from left to right) Ruth Misenko, owner of Seasons on St. Croix Gallery; Donna Milstein, co-owner of Hanson Galleries, the 2010 Retailer of the Year; Joanne Hildt, co-owner of Pinnacle Gallery; Paige Reed, owner of Hillyer House; Meghan Blake-Horst, gallery manager of Absolutely Art; Whitney Bingham, owner of The Muse; and Nancy Markoe, owner of Nancy Markoe Gallery, who received special recognition for her work with the Arts Business Institute. Credit: Jim Burger.

After another challenging year for artists and craft retailers alike, sometimes the best thing to do is focus on the positive. That’s exactly what NICHE magazine did at its annual Top Retailer Awards ceremony, held Aug. 23 at the summer Buyers Market of American Craft.

: Retailers who have been with the Buyers Market of American Craft since the 1980s were recognized with corsages during the Top Retailer Awards Breakfast. Pictured here is Paige Reed, owner of Hillyer House, one of the Top Retailer Award winners. Credit: Jim Burger.

This year’s ceremony marked a few changes. First, it celebrated the Buyers Market’s return to Baltimore. “You’ve all made one incredible journey since the beginning,” NICHE publisher Wendy Rosen told the crowd, comprised mostly of craft retailers. “And it’s so exciting to be in Baltimore after 25 years away!” The ceremony also moved to a different time slot this year, celebrated as a breakfast before the show’s big opening. Fewer retailers were recognized this year—a reflection of just how challenging things remain on Main Street—one Retailer of the Year, nine Top Retailers and five special category winners were honored for their perseverance and continued dedication to their artists.

Hanson Galleries of Houston, Texas, walked away with the highest honor: the Retailer of the Year award. Donna Milstein, who co-owns the two gallery locations in Houston, Texas, with her husband Art, said the award was particularly poignant this year. “The last two years have been the toughest in our 33-year history,” Milstein said.

: NICHE publisher Wendy Rosen presents Donna Milstein, co-owner of Hanson Galleries, with the Retailer of the Year award. Credit: Jim Burger.

Hanson Galleries impressed the judges with its multifaceted approach to promoting American craft. Milsten has traveled the nation mentoring retailers and emerging artists, including in her role as vice president of education projects for the nonprofit Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow (CRAFT). She also puts out an award-winning newsletter to promote the artists in her stores.

“If I had to choose one word to describe this retailer, I would use the word ‘trouper,’ ” said NICHE editorial director Hope Daniels, who presented Milstein with the award. “Everyone in retail has been having a challenging year. Donna has been very generous with her knowledge and her skills, and that’s why she is so deserving of this award.”

: Nancy Markoe, owner of Nancy Markoe Gallery, received special recognition for her dedication to the Arts Business Institute over the past decade. She is seen here with artist Wiwat Kamolpornwijit at the August 2010 Buyers Market of American Craft.

Also receiving special recognition at the ceremony for her mentoring work was Nancy Markoe, owner of Nancy Markoe Gallery in St. Pete Beach, Fla. For more than a decade, Markoe has provided leadership to hundreds of artists in her work for the Arts Business Institute, a nonprofit providing educational opportunities to artists. Markoe’s gallery celebrates 25 years in business this October.

“She’s mentored more than 1,000 artists over the last 10 years,” said Rosen. “Thank you so much, Nancy, for putting your passion, heart and soul into it.”

And passion, heart and soul are exactly what will help craft artists and retailers adapt to the changing times, and move forward. When accepting her award, Milstein encouraged everyone present to participate in CRAFT’s American Craft Week, debuting Oct. 1-10. The project encourages all art lovers to come together to plan and participate in events that recognize the power of craft in their daily lives.

Rosen echoed the importance of a strong community. “We’ve weathered a lot of storms together,” she said. “It’s been a rollercoaster ride. We are a business community, and we really support each other.”