In a ceremony at the Philadelphia Buyer’s Market of American Craft on August 5, Artique of Lexington was named a 2007 NICHE Magazine Top Retailer of American Craft.  More than 18,000 professional fine craft artists nominated nearly 600 galleries, retail stores, arts non-profits, museums, and guilds for the 2007 NICHE Top Retailer awards.

Artique, with galleries at Lexington Green and downtown in The Lexington Center, has won the magazine’s ‘Top 100 Retailer Award’ seven times in the last ten years. Since 2006, the redesigned NICHE awards program has been both more competitive and broader in scope, honoring only twenty-five galleries nationwide with ‘Top Retailer’ status.

Criteria for nomination include treating artists with courtesy and respect, excellence in the promotion and marketing of fine American craft, contributing time and energy to the craft community, and mentoring emerging artists.

“Artique partners with the most talented artists in America,” said Mike Stutland, the gallery’s owner.  “This national award further establishes Artique as the prime source for unique gifts and collectible art and craft.  When the city of Lexington or the Kentucky Governor’s office wants to give a special gift to a visiting dignitary, they come and select a piece from our gallery.”

The gallery’s many awards include the Commonwealth's most distinguished award for Outstanding Support of the Arts - the 2005 Governor's Awards in the Arts - Business Award – for providing leadership and vision for the arts and business communities locally and statewide, the ‘JCK Top 50 Designer Retailer Award’ for lasting excellence at selling designer jewelry, the ‘Best Gallery in Kentucky Award’ by Kentucky Monthly Magazine, and ‘Best Gifts Award’ by Ace Magazine.  Downtown Lexington Corporation honored Artique for its leadership contribution to the local community, and artisans at Kentucky Crafted: The Market annually nominate Artique for their Top Retailer Award.

Artique is committed to giving back to the community, providing an arts education service to Central Kentucky with a year-round schedule of “Exceptional Arts Events” – showcasing demonstrating artists ranging from miniature carving to a full-scale glass blowing studio.  Artique also generously supports many non-profit organizations, recently participating in the Woodford Humane Society’s “Freedom Fest” and Cardinal Hill Hospital’s “The Bash”.

Editors Note: High resolution images of the 2007 Niche Award and of Mike Stutland accepting the award in Philadelphia are available on request – email mchristensen@hughes.net

Artique was conceived as a celebration of the spirit of creativity. Since 1980, Mike and Kathy Stutland have nurtured this vision from a small boutique into a nationally renowned, full-spectrum fine contemporary American craft gallery with locations at Lexington Green and The Lexington Center.
For more information contact Mike Stutland at (859) 272-8802 and visit
www.artiquegallery.com

NICHE Magazine is published by The Rosen Group, a Baltimore-based arts marketing, publishing and advocacy firm. The Rosen Group also publishes AmericanStyle Magazine, an arts lifestyle magazine for enthusiasts, collectors, and travelers, and produces the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft,, the nation’s largest wholesale craft show.
For more information on NICHE magazine’s awards programs, contact Daniel Waldman (danielw@rosengrp.com – 410-889-2933 ext 218)