The winners of the 21st annual ARTS Awards were announced at a lavish ceremony on Jan. 16 during the Dallas Intl. Lighting and Total Home & Gift markets.

About 550 guests attended the annual black-tie gala, which is sponsored by the Dallas Market Center and the Accessories Resource Team (ART). Attendance exceeded ART’s expectations and was up 10 percent from 2009.

The awards recognize excellence from retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives and designers in 26 categories, including five specifically designated for lighting. Visual Comfort won in the Lighting Fixtures category, while Barbara Cosgrove Lamps took home the prize for Portable Lamps. Three dynamic lighting showrooms were honored in regional categories: Southern Lighting Gallery in Augusta, GA, for East/Atlantic; Light by Design in San Antonio, TX for Midwest/Southwest; and Western Montana Lighting in Missoula, MT, for West.

Industry veteran Don McEvoy, founder of Dallas World Trade Center showroom Donald McEvoy Ltd., was honored with this year’s Academy of Achievement Award for his contributions to the decorative accessories industry. And two manufacturers were inducted into the ARTS Hall of Fame after winning their fifth awards in a single category: Global Views for Decorative Accessories and Paragon for Wall Decor.

The Grand Pavilion of the Dallas Trade Mart building — really, the east side of the first floor atrium — was completely transformed for the event with tufted leather banquettes, exotic floral arrangements and curtains in shades of rich gold, emerald green and turquoise. This breathtaking backdrop corresponded with the peacock theme of this year’s marketing efforts for the event, brought (literally) to life by a model in full plumage who took the stage to kick off the ceremony.

The award recipients who followed her accepted their awards at the podium with inspiring and humorous speeches, most voicing optimism for a new decade after a tough year for the home furnishings and lighting industries.

Complete list of 21st ARTS Award winners:

MANUFACTURERS

Lighting Fixtures: Visual Comfort & Co.

Portable Lamps: Barbara Cosgrove Lamps

Accent Furniture: Palecek

Area Rugs: Loloi Rugs

Decorative Accessories: Global Views

Home Textiles: Blissliving Home

Outdoor Living: Seasonal Living

Permanent Floral: Distinctive Designs

Tabletop: Beatriz Ball Collection

Wall Décor: Paragon

Product Designer: Jason Phillips, The Phillips Collection

RETAILERS

Lighting Showroom

East/Atlantic: Southern Lighting Gallery, Augusta, GA

Midwest/Southwest: Light by Design, San Antonio, TX

West: Western Montana Lighting, Missoula, MT

Furniture Store

East/Atlantic: Albert’s Interiors, Newton Square, PA

Midwest/Southwest: HW Home, Boulder, CO

West: Homescapes Carmel, Carmel, CA

Home Accent Store

East/Atlantic: Ambiance Interiors & Gifts Inc., Suwanee, GA

Midwest/Southwest: Burlap Horse, Boerne, TX

West: Grace Home Furnishings, Los Angeles

International Retail Store: Ma Maison, Mexico City

Rising Star Retailer: Bravado Home & Design, Portland, OR

SALES REPRESENTATIVES

East/Atlantic: Brittain Cherry, Ogburn-Cherry & Assoc.

Midwest/Southwest: Derrick Ricketts, CODARUS

West: Laura Fast, OneCoast/ Homestyle

ACADEMY OF ACHIEVEMENT

Don McEvoy, Donald McEvoy Ltd.