2024 Artist Award Winners
Taylor Mazer, Drawing
Mary Louise Womer Award for Excellence
Presented annually in memory of Mary Louise Womer, founder of the 57th Street Art Fair, this award is given to an outstanding artist in any category. As owner of The Little Gallery, Ms. Womer provided a neighborhood gathering place for local artists. In 1948, she decided to organize an event where artists could meet, showcase their work, and sell art directly to the community. Thanks to Mary Louise Womer, the 57th Street Art Fair has been an annual event, currently in its 77th year!
Sebastian Sparenga, Photography
Katrina Hadley Award for Painting, Sculpture, or Photography
Since the 1960s, this award has been presented to exhibitors who work in the media of photography, sculpture or painting in memory of Katrina Hadley, an early supporter of the Fair. Ms. Hadley was a key committee member for many years who worked tirelessly to provide needed support services.
Robin Kittleson
Nettie Hart Award for Crafts
Presented in honor of Nettie Hart, a key supporter in the early days of the 57th Street Art Fair. Ms. Hart, a designer with Raymond Loewy, had an artistic eye and brought many needed cosmetic touches to the Fair. She served as chairperson of the steering committee in the early 1950s. Since 1963, to honor her memory and in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the early days of the Fair, this award has been presented annually to one outstanding artist selected from the categories of Jewelry Making, Fiber, Glass, Photography, Leather, Mixed Media or Paper.
William Kwamamena-Poh, Painting
Vi Fogel Uretz Award & 2024 Newcomer Award
Created to honor the memory of Vi Fogel Uretz, an early supporter of the Fair, this award goes to one outstanding artist in the category of Painting & Drawing and Sculpture. In addition to exhibiting her work for decades, Vi served as the Fair's historian and coordinated the publication of the book honoring the Fair's 50th Anniversary in 1997. An accomplished artist, Vi was selected as the designer of the poster, t-shirt, banner, and other media to promote the 52nd Annual Fair in 1999. Her banners have graced Hyde Park every year since, and serve as a source of energy and inspiration for committee members, artists, and visitors alike.
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​Chosen each year when the judges convene to screen artists wishing to participate in the Fair, this award recognizes outstanding work by artists who are new to the fair. The winners of this award represent, in the opinion of the judges, the best of the new artists invited to exhibit their work at the 57th Street Art Fair.
Bashar and Roula Jarjour, Ceramics
57th Street Art Fair Committee Award & 2024 Newcomer Award
Chosen by members of the Steering Committee, the award recognizes one artist for dedication and excellence in their chosen medium. All exhibitors, returning anew, are eligible for this special award. This prize is a significant honor, since it represents the collective opinion of the committee members who work year-round to organize and ensure the continued quality and success of the fair.
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Chosen each year when the judges convene to screen artists wishing to participate in the Fair, this award recognizes outstanding work by artists who are new to the fair. The winners of this award represent, in the opinion of the judges, the best of the new artists invited to exhibit their work at the 57th Street Art Fair.
Melissa Hampton, Jewelry
Ruth Kaplan Award
The Ruth Kaplan Award was created in 2010 to honor the the memory of Ruth Kaplan, a longtime committee member
(1992-2010) who loved the fair and had a flair for jewelry.
Josh Hirt & Craig Terry
Honorable Mention
Chosen at the time of the fair to recognize an artist or artists who were not selected for any of the other awards and who
the judges and committee members would like to recognize for their work.
Jennifer Boles, Wood
Honorable Mention
Chosen at the time of the fair to recognize an artist or artists who were not selected for any of the other awards and who
the judges and committee members would like to recognize for their work.
Kathleen Johnson, Fiber
Crew's Choice Award
New in 2022, by request of the 57th Street Art Fair Crew, crew’s selection of an artist they would like to recognize and
present with a Crew t-shirt!