I’ve been reading this morning’s commentary and feel like adding my 2 cents. I too served on the committee one year. It was an exciting, stimulating experience, one I recommend to all. It was also a lot of work. Much work goes into deciding the winner. Much work obviously went into the writing, care and producing of the winning books (otherwise they would not be winners). The element of surprise adds to the excitement.

Some of us think the authors, notified in advance, should be the main speakers, about their subject or the process of making the winning book. After all, they get an audience devoted to books and their subject. What could be better!

 

-----Original Message-----
From: ART LIBRARIES SOCIETY DISCUSSION LIST [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pat Lynagh
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 10:46 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] George Wittenborn Memorial Book Award

 

As the saying goes in the world of popular culture, “What . . . are you smokin’ crack?”.  Why “fix” something that is “oh not so broken”?

 

Let’s face it folks, the Convocation is really a “seat squirmer” and basically a prelude to chow time, with little excitement from year to year.  The Wittenborn Award has always been a class act within the Convocation experience that does provide a moment of suspense in an otherwise ho-hum hour or two.  I have trouble seeing winning a prestigious award that will boost book sales as an “awkward moment”.  It may be awkward for those who did not win the award, but it is a chance for the winner to have their well-deserved 15 minutes of fame.

 

I totally agree with Bill, Gregg and Sherman that eliminating the announcement from the Convocation is ill-advised.  Announcing the winner beforehand is like the bride showing up in her wedding dress at the bridal shower.

 

 

Colleagues,

 

After discussions with the ARLIS/NA Awards Committee chair, the Executive Board, and the current Wittenborn Award Committee, it has been decided that the Wittenborn Award winners will now be announced pre-conference.  This is a break with past tradition when the award winners were kept confidential until the conference convocation.  This tradition left little time for the winning publications to be on display in the exhibits hall.  There were also some awkward moments for winning authors or publishers who attended the entire conference but could not disclose why they were really there! 

 

If you wish to preserve the element of surprise, read no further!  Either way, please try to attend the conference convocation on Sunday, April 29^th, to hear and see a substantive presentation honoring the award-winning texts. 

 

On behalf of the 2006-2007 George Wittenborn Memorial Book Award Committee, it is my honor to announce the winners of the award:

 

Prayers and Portraits:   Unfolding the Netherlandish Diptych.  John Oliver Hand, Catherine A. Metzger, Ron Spronk.  National Gallery of Art, Washington; Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp, in association with Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, and Yale University Press, New Haven and London.

 

American Indian Horse Masks.  Michael Cowdry and Ned & Jody Martin.  Hawk Hill Press, Nicasio, California.

 

Please stop by the exhibits hall during the conference to view these marvelous, award-winning publications.  Congratulations to all those involved in their creation and production!

 

Terrie L. Wilson

Chair, George Wittenborn Memorial Book Award Committee

Michigan State University

Fine Arts Library

100 Library        

East Lansing, MI  48824

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