According to the judges, Ms. Plante’s work shows an exciting use of elements, a strong visual direction and a high degree of technical ability. As the winner, she received $2,000.”The work of Amie Plante distinctly reflects thoughtful personal vision and a developed visual ‘voice’ and vocabulary. The hairpins and earrings have attitude–regal qualities implied by the forms, scale and proportions, a sense of majesty suggesting contemporary ceremonial wear. The intricate forms are a visual delight to explore–there is variety of line, color and material palette within the cohesive body of work,” concluded Gail Brown, one of the judges this year.

Amie is a BFA graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA graduate of Dartmouth College, now living in Massachusetts. Judges this year were: Mia McEldowney, Collector/Independent Curator; Gail Brown, Curator of Contemporary Craft; and Michael Jerry, Professor Emeritus of Sycracuse University.

The other finalists out of a field of 54 applicants were: Frankie Flood (IL), Sergey Jivetin (NY), Lonna Keller (IA), and Jessie Martin (IN).

The award was announced at SOFA Chicago where Amie’s work was shown by AJF member Charon Kransen.