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ART Member Spotlight – Howard Elliott

Jan 8, 2021 | ART Blog

Howard Elliott Collection

Addison, IL

As much of the country was coming to terms with the seriousness of the coronavirus, ART member Howard Elliott was taking steps to help

The Chicago-based maker of mirrors, decorative accessories, pillows, accent furniture and more shifted gears quickly and began making protective masks on top of its product assortment.

“I woke up in the middle of the night last spring to hear on the news that there was a shortage of surgical masks in the country and I wondered how we could help,” said Brian Berk, president of the company. “I quickly realized that many of the materials used in a protective mask are the same materials we use in our production of some of our home furnishing products! After a few prototypes were made in our sewing operation, we have been able to begin producing the masks much more efficiently.

Berk and his family donated many of the protective masks to a number of medical facilities, including Mount Sinai Hospital, Chicago, St. Catherine’s, St Mary’s, The Will County Senior Center, Munster Community Center in Indiana and the University of Chicago Oncology Department.

Later, the company shifted into production of a new mask, designed to allow for the use of a drinking straw. It enabled folks to observe safe practices while still making it possible to socialize.

“Once the world caught up with supply of masks, we decided to keep it going by having some fun! That is where the Happy Hour Mask was born,” Berk said. “I was watching people raise and lower their masks in order to drink … so the flap with hole for a straw was the logical solution. Our product development team had a blast coming up with the seasonal designs and now we are even making custom designs for certain customers.”

For more information about Howard Elliott Collection, visit their website.

January 2021

HEARTS Awards Postponed to Summer 2021

Dec 3, 2020 | Press Releases

Charlotte / Dallas –  December 2, 2020 – Dallas Market Center and ART, the creative home furnishings network, have announced that the HEARTS Awards event planned for January has been moved to summer 2021.

The HEARTS Awards is a one-time special event in partnership and solidarity with leading industry organizations to honor companies that have shown outstanding leadership, empathy and service during the COVID-19 pandemic by going above and beyond in service to their industry and/or community.

The gala event will take place during the Total Home & Gift Market, June 23-29, 2021. An exact date and location will be announced in the coming months.

“The HEARTS Awards are all about uniting the industry so we have made the decision to shift our event dates to a time when we can gather together for a live, in-person celebration,” said Sharon Davis, executive director of ART. “At the same time, we can raise funds for hunger relief now so our online auction will continue.”

The HEARTS Awards online auction supporting No Kid Hungry is live now through January 8 and features more than 70 one-of-a-kind plates creatively transformed by home industry artists, designers, celebrities, influencers and special guests. To view and bid, visit https://handbid.app.link/hearts4hunger

As previously announced, the HEARTS Awards honorees are:
• American Leather Holdings, presented by American Home Furnishings Alliance
• Serta Simmons, presented by American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame
• WAC Lighting, presented by the American Lighting Association
• Stephen Joseph Gifts, presented by Gift & Home Trade Association
• Mercado Global, presented by Gift for Life
• Baltimore Design Group, presented by Interior Design Society
• Telescope Casual Furniture, presented by International Casual Furnishings Association
• Norwalk Furniture, presented by International Home Furnishings Representative Association
• Otto & Moore, presented by International Society of Furniture Designers
• Crypton Fabric, presented by International Textile Alliance
• Varaluz, presented by Sustainable Furnishings Council
• Ekornes, presented by WithIt

To support the charitable fundraiser of the HEARTS Awards on social media please use the hashtag #hearts4hunger. For the latest information on the HEARTS Awards visit www.dallasmarketcenter.com/artsawards.

Special thanks to Rosenthal for providing the plates for the silent auction and to Freightwire and Global Views for their generous donations to support the auction.

Media sponsors include: Aspire Design and Home, Designers Today, D Home, Furniture Lighting & Décor, Furniture/Today, Furniture World, Gifts & Decorative Accessories, Home Accents Today, HFN, and Home Textiles Today.

HEARTS Awards Honorees Announced

Oct 8, 2020 | Press Releases

—13 Organizations to Present Special Recognition to 13 Leaders
For Outstanding Service During COVID-19 Pandemic—

CHARLOTTE / DALLAS – October 6, 2020 – Dallas Market Center and ART, the creative home furnishings network, have announced the 13 honorees for the HEARTS Awards, taking place January 8.

The HEARTS Awards, to be hosted by Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia, is a one-time special event to take place during the January Total Home & Gift Market in Dallas. The event is being held in partnership and solidarity with thirteen leading industry organizations to honor thirteen companies that have shown outstanding leadership, empathy and service during the COVID-19 pandemic by going above and beyond in service to their industry and/or community. The event also includes a fundraising auction supporting No Kid Hungry.

The honorees are:
• No Kid Hungry, presented by ART and Dallas Market Center
• American Leather Holdings, presented by American Home Furnishings Alliance
• Serta Simmons, presented by American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame
• WAC Lighting, presented by the American Lighting Association
• Stephen Joseph Gifts, presented by Gift & Home Trade Association
• Mercado Global, presented by Gift for Life
• Baltimore Design Group, presented by Interior Design Society
• Telescope Casual Furniture, presented by International Casual Furnishings Association
• Norwalk Furniture, presented by International Home Furnishings Representative Association
• Otto & Moore, presented by International Society of Furniture Designers
• Crypton Fabric, presented by International Textile Alliance
• Varaluz, presented by Sustainable Furnishings Council
• Ekornes, presented by WithIt

“Never before have so many industry organizations joined together for such an important cause,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “During challenging times, we are proud to unite these leaders for such an inspiring event and to share their stories of heart-based leadership.”

“I am amazed at the compassion, the selflessness, and the leadership shown by these companies over the past several months,” said Sharon Davis, executive director of ART. “Their individual efforts supported communities around the world and their collective efforts helped hundreds of thousands of people. This year we will celebrate their achievements and at the same time work together to raise funds for hunger relief with a creative silent auction.”

The HEARTS Awards silent auction will feature more than 70 one-of-a-kind plates creatively transformed by artists, designers, celebrities, influencers and special guests to be auctioned to the highest bidder. The auction will begin online in early November ahead of The HEARTS Awards and will conclude on the evening of the event. Participating in the creative fundraiser are figures from the world of product design, interior design, and the arts including Jane Seymour, Thom Filicia, Bobby Berk, Justina Blakeney, Carson Kressley, Thomas O’Brien, Jamie Drake, Libby Langdon, Adam Glassman (O, the Oprah Magazine), Julia Buckingham, Anna Bond (Rifle Paper Co.) Joe Ruggiero, Jeffrey Alan Marks, Jason Phillips (Phillips Collection), George Sellers (Global Views), Dann Foley, Alexander Julian, Bunny Williams, Barbara Barry, and Beatriz Ball.

To support the charitable fundraiser of the HEARTS Awards on social media please use the hashtag #hearts4hunger.

The HEARTS Awards event will take place on January 8, 2021 at the Hilton Anatole hotel. Individual and group tickets will be available at a later date.

Special thanks to Rosenthal for providing the plates for the silent auction and to Freightwire and Global Views for their generous donations to support the auction.

Media sponsors to date include: Aspire Design and Home, Designers Today, D Home, Furniture Lighting & Décor, Furniture/Today, Furniture World, Gifts & Decorative Accessories, Home Accents Today, HFN, and Home Textiles Today.

HEARTS Awards Silent Auction Fundraiser To Benefit No Kid Hungry

Sep 16, 2020 | Press Releases

—more than 70 dinner plates to be creatively transformed by celebs including Jane Seymour, Justina Blakeney, Bobby Berk— 

DALLAS / CHARLOTTE – September 16, 2020 – Dallas Market Center and ART, the creative home furnishings network, have announced that the silent auction fundraiser of the HEARTS Awards, honoring outstanding leadership, empathy and service during the COVID-19 pandemic, will benefit No Kid Hungry. The auction will feature more than 70 one-of-a-kind plates creatively transformed by artists, designers, celebrities, influencers and special guests to be auctioned to the highest bidder. The auction will begin online in early November ahead of The HEARTS Awards and will conclude on the evening of the event. 

Participating in the creative fundraiser are figures from the world of product design, interior design, and the arts. Jane Seymour, Thom Filicia, Bobby Berk, Justina Blakeney, Carson Kressley, Thomas O’Brien, Jamie Drake, Libby Langdon, Adam Glassman (O, the Oprah Magazine), Julia Buckingham, Anna Bond (Rifle Paper Co.) Joe Ruggiero, Jeffrey Alan Marks, Jason Phillips (Phillips Collection), George Sellers (Global Views), Dann Foley, Alexander Julian, Bunny Williams, Barbara Barry, and Beatriz Ball are among the contributing designers. 

No Kid Hungry is a national campaign to end childhood hunger run by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. Every dollar raised in the HEARTS Awards fundraiser will benefit No Kid Hungry. 

“We are thrilled to work with No Kid Hungry and to have the participation of so many home industry and gift industry friends for the fundraiser,” said Sharon Davis, executive director of ART. “Each plate is truly a work of art, and we look forward to opening the bidding ahead of the event for a great cause.”  

“This year we are honoring heart-based leadership and that includes our fundraiser with the support of more than 70 participating artists,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “The generosity of our industry is always inspiring but this year is truly special as we honor selfless leadership and support the mission of No Kid Hungry.” 

To support the charitable fundraiser of the HEARTS Awards on social media please use the hashtag #hearts4hunger. 

The HEARTS Awards is a one-time special event to take place during the January Total Home & Gift Market in Dallas. The event, to be hosted by Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia, will be held in partnership with thirteen leading industry organizations and will honor thirteen individuals or companies that have shown outstanding leadership, empathy and service during the COVID-19 pandemic by going above and beyond in service to their industry and/or community.  

The HEARTS Awards event will take place on January 8, 2021 at the Hilton Anatole hotel. Individual and group tickets will be available at a later date. The full list of honorees will be announced in October. Complete information is available here: www.dallasmarketcenter.com/artsawards. 

Special thanks to Rosenthal for providing the plates for the silent auction and to Freightwire and Global Views for their generous donations to support the auction. 

Media sponsors to date include: Aspire Design and Home, Designers Today, D Home, Furniture Lighting & Décor, Furniture/Today, Furniture World, Gifts & Decorative Accessories, Home Accents Today, HFN, and Home Textiles Today. 

 

The HEARTS Awards Program Announced

May 22, 2020 | Press Releases

–Single Year Alternative to Annual ARTS Awards Unites the Industry to Honor Leaders During COVID-19 Pandemic–

May 22, 2020 – Dallas Market Center and ART, the creative home furnishings network, have announced the creation of The HEARTS Awards, a one-time special event to take place during the January Total Home & Gift Market in Dallas. The HEARTS Awards will take the place of the annual ARTS Awards, which will return for 2021-2022.

The HEARTS Awards will be held in partnership with thirteen leading industry organizations and will honor thirteen individuals or companies that have shown outstanding leadership, empathy and service during the COVID-19 pandemic by going above and beyond in service to their industry and/or community. A fundraising effort supporting hunger relief by leveraging the creative skills of 100 celebrities and influencers will accompany the awards.

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“For more than 30 years the ARTS Awards have been the premier program honoring business and creative excellence; but given the global pandemic we have a unique opportunity this year to unite our industry to honor generosity and selflessness via The HEARTS Awards,” said Sharon Davis, executive director of ART.

“In the midst of a crisis we have seen remarkable help and sacrifice from our professional community,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “That’s why this year we will honor heart-based leadership with a program recognizing the best qualities of our industry and working in collaboration with leading organizations.”

The following organizations have agreed to participate and to each put forward one honoree meeting The HEARTS Awards criteria:
• American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame
• American Home Furnishings Alliance
• American Lighting Association
• ART, the creative home furnishings network
• Gift & Home Trade Association
• Gift for Life
• Interior Design Society
• International Casual Furnishings Association
• International Home Furnishings Representative Association
• International Society of Furniture Designers
• International Textile Alliance
• Sustainable Furnishings Council
• WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industry

In addition to the awards, a special fundraising campaign will take place benefitting hunger relief. One hundred artists, designers, celebrities, influencers and special guests will creatively design one-of-a-kind dinner plates to be auctioned to the highest bidder. The auction will begin online ahead of The HEARTS Awards and will conclude on the evening of the event.

The HEARTS Awards will take place on January 8, 2021 at the Hilton Anatole hotel. Individual and group tickets will be available at a later date. The full list of honorees will be announced the first week of October.

Media sponsors to date include: Aspire Design and Home, Designers Today, Furniture/Today, Furniture Lighting & Decor, Gifts & Decorative Accessories, Home Accents Today, HFN, and Home Textiles Today.