New York, NY June 8, 2010 – The top three winners from The Odegard Award for Excellence in Rug Design were announced on Monday, June 7th, at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. Industry luminaries Holly Hotchner, the Nanette L. Laitman Director of the Museum of Arts and Design together with David McFadden, the Museum’s Chief Curator; industrial designer Stephen Burks; textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen; fashion designer Mary McFadden; artist Michele Oka Doner; Cavin Tsao, co-founder of Tsao & McKown Architects; and Stephanie Odegard, founder of Odegard Inc., juried over 400 handcrafted student submissions. The competition was created to show student designers how combining modern designs with traditional hand knotting techniques can increase awareness and respect for the legacy of textile and carpet weaving.

The jurors were asked to vote for entries which they thought deserved top honors, and separately, for their favored entries. Below are the honorees of the 2010 Odegard Awards, each which struck a particular chord in the jury’s mind. The eleven honoree’s entries will be part of the traveling exhibit which Odegard is organizing to further share with others the benefit of this incredible creative talent. Check back soon for further news and scheduling info.

  
 
  • The over 400 students who went to great lengths to participate in this competition and sent in their handcrafted submissions by the deadline; and who displayed such a dazzling array of talent;
  • All faculty members who understood the primary goal of this competition, which is to help students prepare for their professional life in creative design, and who incorporated the competition guidelines in their curriculum;
  • The eight jurors, who are each authorities in their respective fields, and who graciously gave their time to look, evaluate and rate each and every submission: Stephen Burks, Michele Oka Doner, Holly Hotchner, Jack Lenor Larsen, David McFadden, Mary McFadden, Stephanie Odegard, and Calvin Tsao;
  • Stephanie Odegard, founder and President of Odegard Inc., for her far reaching vision to encourage young talent to perpetuate the legacy of excellence in design;
  • Holly Hotchner and David McFadden of the Museum of Arts and Design for their generous hospitality in hosting our Awards Ceremony;
  • Joel R. Podgor and Anthony Bracco of the Accounting firm Holtz Rubenstein Reminick LLP, CPA, for assistance in tallying the jurors' votes;
  • Jim Druckman and the New York Design Center for their always enthusiastic support;
  • Theres Wegmann for her invaluable Website help;
  • and, of course, the many people at Odegard Inc. who worked relentlessly to make this competition a success.