League of NH Craftsmen Present Excellence Awards

The League of NH Craftsmen presented 22 awards recognizing the creativity and skill of its juried members during the Annual Craftsmen's Fair Preview Party. All works awarded will be on display and for sale during the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair, running through August 11 at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury.

2019 Award Winners:

• Best in Semi-Precious Jewelry: Paulette Werger for “X Marks the Spot” (Sponsored by Deborah Coffin)
• Best in Wearable Design: Annie Frye for “Malta Swing Felted Coat” (Sponsored by Gondwana & Divine Clothing Co. & LNHC Concord Fine Craft Gallery)
• Best in Basketry: Peggy Thrasher for “Triaxial Triangle” (Sponsored by Susie Lowe-Stockwell)
• Best in Decorative Ceramics: Irina Okula for “Saggard Shard Tower” (Sponsored by the Hope Damon and George Chait Family)
• Best in Decorative Fiber: Tarja Cockell for “Upwards” (Sponsored by Skyeview Alpacas)
• Best in Functional Ceramics: David Ernster for “Sun” (Sponsored by the New Hampshire Potters Guild)
• Best in Sculptural Ceramics: Al Jaeger for “Caravan” (Sponsored by the New Hampshire Potters Guild)
• Best in Wood Furniture: Peter Maynard for “Sofa Table” (Sponsored by the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers)
• Best in Turned Wood: Claude Dupuis for “Blue Diamond” (Sponsored by the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers)
• Edith Grodin Best Collaboration Award: Barbara Smith McLaughlin and Diane Louise Paul for “Contemporary Concha Belt” (Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor)
• Robbins-Waters-Libby Print Award: Hannah Phelps for “Winter Shadows Winter Birch” (Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor)
• Joe Tucker Metal Award: Paulette Werger for “Lily Pond Servers” (Sponsored by Nora Stevens in memory of Norman Stevens)
• Stevens Glass Award: Lynn Haust for “Faded Memory” (Sponsored by Nora Stevens in memory of Norman Stevens)
• Best in Weaving: Sarah Fortin for “Shadow Weave Runner” (Sponsored by Harrisville Designs)
• Innovation Award: Duane Martin for “3 Tugs Intarsia” (Sponsored by Deborah Coffin)
• Best in Precious Jewelry: Tom McGurrin for “Empty Nest 3” (Sponsored in memory of Sue Willamson and Joe Goodnough by Jill and John Schiffman)
• Best in Wearable Fiber: Patricia Palson for “Handwoven Cashmere Coat” (Sponsored in memory of Sue Willamson and Joe Goodnough by Jill and John Schiffman)
• Best in Photography: John Layton for “View Towards East Rock” (Sponsored by North Country Studio Workshops)
• Eleanor “Tin” Bacon Metal Jewelry Award: Susan Mulvey for “Bo Jangles” (Sponsored by Karen and John Sanders)
• Best in Leather: Diane Louise Paul for “World Global Warming Story Belt” (Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor)
• Best in Art, Craft & Design: Tom McGurrin for “Empty Nest 3” (Sponsored by Davis & Towle)
• Best in Sculpture Garden: Jay Aubertin for “Weight of Stone” (Sponsored by Benjamin Schore)

For information, visit https://www.nhcrafts.org/annual-craftsmens-fair.

Photo Caption: Tom McGurrin received the Best in Art, Craft & Design Award at the Annual Craftsmen's Fair Preview Party held on Friday, August 2. All works awarded will be on display and for sale during the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair, running through August 11 at the Mount Sunapee Resort. Pictured above, his award-winning piece, “Empty Nest 3.”