Contemporary Metalsmith, Joy Stember, Receives 2012 NICHE Award

PHILADELPHIA, PA, March 01, 2012 (Press-News.org) NICHE magazine, the exclusive trade publication for retailers of American and Canadian craft, announced the winners for its 2012 NICHE Awards at the Buyers Market of American Craft (http://www.buyersmarket ofamericancraft.com) on February 18 in Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia native, Joy Stember was named the recipient of the NICHE Award in the Judaica category for the "Modular Menorah" (http://www.nicheawards.com/2012-finalists/joy-stember-2/).

The NICHE Awards competition annually recognizes excellence and innovation in North American craft. In the professional division, judging is based on three main criteria: technical excellence in surface design and form, market viability, and a distinct quality of unique, original and creative thought.

The professional division was judged by Julia Daily, Executive Director of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi and 2011 recipient of the AmericanStyle Honor Award for her contribution to the field of craft; Arthur DeBow, Exhibitions Director at the Oregon College of Art and Craft's Hoffman Gallery; Leslie Genszler, Director of Retail Operations at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the winner of the 2011 NICHE Top Retailer Award for "Best Museum Shop"; Gywnne Ruckenbrod, Executive Director of HandMade in America, a non-profit organization promoting craft and culture for community and economic development in western North Carolina; Ruth Misenko- Owner of Seasons on St. Croix Gallery in Hudson, Wisconsin; Betsy Poole- Museum shop manager at Fallingwater, the Frank Lloyd Wright designed house preserved by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

NICHE magazine also honors the artistic achievements of students enrolled in North American undergraduate, graduate and certificate arts programs with its NICHE Student Awards program. Finalists are determined by the editors of NICHE and AmericanStyle magazines and the staff of the Buyers Market of American Craft.

All finalists were invited to display their work in the NICHE Awards exhibit at the Buyers Market of American Craft, the nation's largest wholesale craft show, February 18-20, 2012, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Award winners will be featured in the spring 2012 issue of NICHE magazine.

NICHE magazine, http://www.NICHEmagazine.com, is the exclusive trade publication for independent retailers of American and Canadian fine craft. NICHE and AmericanStyle magazines are owned by The Rosen Group, a Baltimore-based arts marketing, publishing and advocacy firm. AmericanStyle, http://www.AmericanStyle.com, is an arts, lifestyle magazine for enthusiasts, collectors and travelers. The Rosen Group also produces the Buyers Market of American Craft, http://www.BuyersMarketofAmericanCraft.com, the nation's largest wholesale tradeshow of fine craft made by U.S. and Canadian artists.

About Joy:
Joy attended Tyler School of Art, at Temple University where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM. She continued her education with summer workshops at Penland School of Crafts, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. In the winter of 2010, Joy went on a Taglit Birthright trip to Israel and while there became enamored with the landscape, culture and history. This trip was life-changing for Joy and upon her return to the US, she had realized her true passion was to create contemporary Judaica full-time. This decision led to the opening of Joy Stember Metal Arts Studio, LLC. Joy has been a 2008 Rio Grande Saul Bell Design Awards Finalist, 2010 & 2011 NICHE Awards Finalist & now a 2012 NICHE Awards winner. Currently, Joy is working in the Studio (www.JoyStember.com), where she is completing a collection of Fine Modern Judaica and Objects for the Home in pewter, brass and silver.