Designers competed in seven categories.
At a celebration dinner held on May 15 during the Santa Fe Symposium in Albuquerque, NM, jewelry supplier Rio Grande announced the winners of the 16th annual Saul Bell Design Award competition.
A panel of judges chose first- and second-place winners in each of six competitive categories, as well as in the Emerging Jewelry Artist category for designers 21 years and younger. Prizes, awards and congratulations were presented to each winning designer at the gala dinner. The winning designs, as well as all finalist pieces, are featured online at saulbellaward.com.
Here are the first place winners in each category:
- Gold/Platinum Category:
First Place — $2,000 Rio Grande Gift Certificate
“The Queen”
Garen Garibian
Los Angeles, CA - Silver/Argentium Silver Category:
First Place — $2,000 Rio Grande Gift Certificate
“Unity”
Seung Jeon Paik
Savannah, GA - Metal Clay Category:
First Place — $2,000 Rio Grande Gift Certificate
“Adore”
Rodica Frunze
Nanaimo, BC, Canada - Enamel Category:
First Place — $2,000 Rio Grande Gift Certificate
“On the Wing”
Debbie Sheezel
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - Hollowware/Art Objects Category:
First Place — $2,000 Rio Grande Gift Certificate
“Mace”
Tom Ferrero
Windsor, CT - Alternative Metals/Materials Category:
First Place — $2,000 Rio Grande Gift Certificate
“Moonshine”
Zoltan David
Bee Cave, TX - Emerging Jewelry Artist Category:
First Place — $500 Rio Grande Gift Certificate
“L’Oiseau de la Nuit”
Justine Quintal
Carignan, QC, Canada