Judges Named for 36th ARTS Awards

Dallas Market Center (DMC) and ART, the creative home furnishings network, have announced the judges for the 36^th ARTS Awards, taking place in Dallas on Friday, January 9 at Hilton Anatole hotel. The ARTS Awards, presented annually during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, celebrates preeminent manufacturers, retailers, interior designers, product designers, and sales representatives.

The judges will choose winners based on submissions, which may include examples of product development, marketing, merchandising, company differentiation, or professional information, consistent on their selected category.

This fall, judges will gather in Dallas for two days to review each submission from individuals and/or companies. After the judges complete their process, a designated accounting firm will count and secure the scores until the winners are revealed at the ARTS Awards gala.

The 36^th ARTS Awards judges are:

Michela O’Connor Abrams, board chair, Sustainable Furnishings Council and Sustainable Furnishings Educational Fund. O’Connor Abrams exclusively serves as the Green Award judge and reviews only the manufacturing finalists’ submissions. She is the founder of MOCA+, which focuses on integrating design thinking and leadership into business strategy. Former CEO of Dwell Media, she grew the brand from a startup to an international name. With experience at IDG, Softbank, McGraw Hill, Ziff Davis, and Future Media, O’Connor Abrams has led companies through growth and turnaround phases. She serves on the board of Arcbazar and advises several companies, including Turkel Design and Nebia. She is a sought-after speaker on leadership, design, and media. 

Anastasia Casey, founder, The Interior Collective, IDCO Studio, Kwin Made, & Design Camp. Casey is the founder of The Interior Collective, IDCO Studio, Kwin Made, and Design Camp — four brands shaping the future of interior design. Her career centers on elevating designers through strategic branding, storytelling, and digital infrastructure. What began as a niche blog has grown into a multifaceted platform featuring a top-ranked podcast, editorial publication, luxury business retreats, and a leading creative agency. Trusted by top names like Amber Interiors and Marie Flanigan, Anastasia continues to drive the industry forward with clarity, community, and impact.

Lorele Lesoing, Founder, President, and Lead Interior Designer, Lee Douglas Interiors. Lorele Lesoing is the Founder, President, and Lead Interior Designer of Lee Douglas Interiors, a full-service design firm and home décor retailer based in Nebraska. Since launching in 1989, she has grown the company into one of the Midwest’s top design destinations, with three locations including a 30,000-sq.-ft. flagship in Omaha. With 35+ years of experience, Lorele blends business acumen with creative vision to deliver timeless design and curated client experiences. She remains closely involved in every aspect of the business, ensuring each project reflects the elevated, functional Lee Douglas Interiors signature.

Kenneth Ludwig, interior designer & owner of Kenneth Ludwig Chicago. Ludwig is a well-known interior designer and owner of Kenneth Ludwig Chicago, a high-end home furnishings and interior design store located in Chicago. He has gained recognition for his distinctive and luxurious interior design style. Kenneth Ludwig Chicago offers a wide range of furniture, lighting, and home furnishings, catering to clients looking for upscale & unique pieces to enhance their living spaces. His designs often incorporate a mix of classic and contemporary elements, and his work is known for its attention to detail and quality craftsmanship. He is also a past ARTS Awards Winner and current ART Board Member. 

Susan Jones, group publisher, Home News Now Group. Jones, a well-respected executive in the home furnishings industry, was recently appointed as group publisher of Home News Now Group, which publishes Home News Now, Design News Now, Casual News Now, Bedding News Now, and Lighting News Now. Previously, she served as vice president of Business Development for Steinreich Communications Group and was the former publisher of Scranton-Gillette’s Furniture, Lighting & Decor magazine. In her almost seven years at the helm of the brand, Susan was integral in elevating Furniture, Lighting & Decor to one of the top trade brands in the home furnishings industry. She has also held various sales roles at Furniture Today magazine, including associate publisher.

Colleen Visage, COO, Alteck LLC. Colleen Visage is the chief operating officer of Alteck LLC, bringing 30+ years of leadership experience across product development, brand strategy, and operations within the design and consumer goods industries — including both soft and hard goods. Throughout her career, Visage has focused on building strong customer relationships, driving collaborations, and fostering partnerships to deliver successful global product launches. Known for leading with integrity, mentoring teams, and nurturing creative talent, Visage cultivates collaborative environments that drive innovation, elevate design excellence, optimize sourcing and operational efficiency, and create meaningful value for customers and organizations alike.

All 36^th ARTS Awards finalists can be viewed here. Reservations for the ARTS Awards open on October 2. Tickets will be $170 for ART members and $200 for non-members. Discounted rates for full tables of (8) and (10) guests are also available.

Gold media and organization sponsors for the ARTS Awards are: Designers Today, Furniture Today, Gifts & Decorative Accessories, Home Accents Today, and Home Textiles Today. Silver media and organization sponsors for the ARTS Awards are: Lighting News Now and Design News Now. Bronze media and organization sponsors for the ARTS Awards are: Modern Luxury-Texas Interiors, PaperCity, Luxe Business of Home, Interior Design Society, Aspire Design and Home, and Sustainable Furnishings Council.

For more information, visit the ARTS Awards website. Keep up-to-date with Dallas Market Center events and happenings on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and use #ARTSAwards to stay connected.

To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center and Lightovation Apps. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Instagram, and the DMC Blog.

Related articles

Lighting Showroom & Manufacturer Finalists for ARTS Awards Announced

Nominating Panel & Committee for ARTS Awards Announced