Each year, the ARToberFEST Team invites three new jurors to review the artwork submitted to our festival. This rotating panel keeps the show fresh, dynamic, and exciting for both artists and visitors. Every piece of art is scored on a scale of 1 to 15, with 15 being a perfect score. Based on these results, artists may be awarded the prestigious Blue Ribbon Honor.

Some years, multiple artists are recognized;

other years, no ribbons are awarded at all.

This makes the honor truly special and highly

competitive. Blue Ribbon recipients not only

receive a ribbon and recognition on our

website—they also earn automatic

acceptance into the following year’s show

with a complimentary booth space,

bypassing the jury process entirely.

This year, we are thrilled to recognize

ceramicist Craig McMillin as our Blue Ribbon

Honoree.

Craig has been working in clay for over

30 years, spending nearly half that time

mastering the art of crystalline glazes.

His journey began in high school and

college, continued through time as a production potter in Texas, and ultimately led him to his studio in the lush landscapes of south Louisiana, where he works alongside family, a few chickens, and the occasional guard cat.

Craig’s mastery lies in wheel-thrown stoneware forms, which serve as the perfect canvas for the breathtaking crystals that emerge during the firing process. Constantly experimenting with glaze formulas and pushing the limits of scale, he brings the impossible to life in clay. As Craig himself says, his greatest teacher has always been his last pot.

We are proud to honor Craig McMillin with this year’s Blue Ribbon Award.