The panel of judges, comprised of home industry experts, convene in November for an intensive review of finalists’ submissions. They spend hours carefully evaluating each submission based on category specific criteria. In addition to industry judges there is also peer voting from current ART membership which can add up to 5 bonus points to the finalists scores. After judges submit their scores and ART members vote, the results are tabulated by an independent accounting firm and the list of winners is kept confidential until the ARTS Awards gala.

The judges independently review and score each submission on criteria established by the ARTS Awards Committee. The 5 judges represent various industry backgrounds and a 6th judge representing the Sustainable Furnishings Council reviews the manufacturer presentations to determine the Green Award winner. The winners in each category and the Academy of Achievement and HEARTS Award honorees are announced in January during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market.

35th Annual ARTS Awards Judges

Michela O'Connor Abrams, Board Chair, Sustainable Furnishings Council | MOCA+

Michela exclusively serves as the Green Award judge and reviews only the manufacturing finalists’ submissions. Michela is the Founder of MOCA+, which focuses on integrating design thinking and leadership into business strategy. Former CEO of Dwell Media, she grew the brand from a startup to an international name. With experience at IDG, Softbank, McGrawHill, Ziff Davis, and Future Media, she has led companies through growth and turnaround phases. Michela serves on the board of Arcbazar and advises several companies, including Turkel Design and Nebia. She is a sought-after speaker on leadership, design, and media.

Leon Goetz, Founder & CEO, Goetz Inc.,

Leon Goetz is the founder and CEO of Goetz Inc., a multi-line sales and marketing agency and long-time exhibitor at Dallas Market Center. Since 1984, Goetz Inc. has represented a diverse range of luxury brands in gift, home decor, tabletop, holiday, and fashion categories, occupying over 45,000 square feet of showrooms. While the agency focuses on sales growth, service excellence, and strong vendor/retailer partnerships, Leon’s passion lies in consulting on product development, design, and presentation for both new and established brands.

Jaclyn Hirschhaut, Executive Director, International Casual Furniture Association

Jaclyn C. “Jackie” Hirschhaut is Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing at the American Home Furnishings Alliance and Executive Director of the International Casual Furnishings Association. She oversees marketing and media relations at AHFA and leads the outdoor furnishings sector at ICFA. Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Elegant Bride and an award-winning journalist, Jackie has a background in retail and product development. She holds degrees in journalism and marketing and is active with the Public Relations Society of America and various industry boards.

Jaye Anna Mize, Creative Director, Home Interiors, Fashion Snoops

Jaye Anna Mize is the VP of Advisory and Partnerships at Fashion Snoops, a top trend-forecasting agency. With over 18 years of experience, Mize excels in home and interior design trends, leveraging AI and tech-savvy strategies to uncover market opportunities. She has worked with major brands like Unilever, Kohl’s, and Target, and is a recognized thought leader, speaking at events such as High Point Market Authority and Maison & Objet. Mize leads teams in aligning design, merchandising, and marketing to emerging consumer behaviors and future trends, including collaborations with Drew and Jonathan Scott and BuzzFeed’s Tasty Product Line.

Khoi Vo, CEO, American Society of Interior Designers

Khoi Vo, IIDA, CIDA, IDEC, IDECF, brings over 20 years of experience in interior design, architecture, and education. A former leader at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Vo founded Studio Four Los Angeles and Khoi Vo Design, where he led design projects and operations. He has taught and held leadership roles at California State University, SCAD, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Vo is a distinguished member of several industry organizations, including the Interior Design Educator Council Foundation and ASID. He has received notable awards such as the 2015 CIDA Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2017-18 DesignIntelligence Top 25 Most Admired Educators. Vo holds a BA in designfocused architecture from the University of Florida and a Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture.

Erin Weir, Co-founder, The Pearl Collective

Erin Weir is the co-founder and VP of Sales & Marketing at Pearl Collective, an interior design consultancy that boosts profits for designers, architects, and creatives. Known for her dynamic leadership and marketing expertise, Erin enhances every client interaction and is dedicated to advancing the interior design industry. She educates designers on profitable practices, leadership, and productivity, advises manufacturers on better business partnerships, and helps clients build confidence through effective processes and a team-oriented approach.