Celebration is the competition division of The Exemplary. Within Celebration categories, there are three types of awards:
- Ribbons awarded by professional judges
- Special awards selected by the NAN Board of Directors
- Awards selected by others
At right, Rachel Watkins and her Best-of-Show winning work, The Big Horn Sheep (The Exemplary 2019).
Ribbons awarded by professional judges:
Within each competition category, judges may present ribbons to works for First, Second, and Third Places and Honorable Mention. Placement is determined by a point system that evaluates the entries for design, execution, techniques, presentation, and suitability of purpose. In addition, the following special awards are presented by judges:
- The Jean Taggart Award - Best of Show selected from First Place winners in all categories except Japanese Embroidery
- The Beverly Booker Award - Best of Show Japanese Embroidery selected by the Japanese Embroidery judge from First Place winners in that category
- Judge’s Choice selected by each judge based solely on the judge’s opinion and not on a point system
Special awards selected by the NAN Board of Directors:
- The Exemplary Award presented to the entry that demonstrates outstanding technical skill
- The Peg Laflam Award - The Muse’s Kiss given to the entry that best demonstrates innovation or imagination
- The Jody Adams Award - The Academy Heart given to the entry that best evokes a quality symbolically associated with heart such as beauty, wisdom, passion, or courage
- The Linda Calsing Award given to the entry best reflecting Linda’s love of travel and history
- The Betsy Robb Award given for excellence in predominant use of silk and metal embroidery
- The Michele Roberts Award given to the entry best reflecting Michele's designing and love of hearts.
Awards selected by others:
- Popular Choice selected by visitors to The Exemplary. Each visitor is eligible to cast one vote, and the piece receiving the most votes receives this award.
- The Gail Sirna Award - Best Flower selected by Gail Sirna. This award goes to the entry that portrays a flower or floral theme in the most artistic and/or technically excellent way.
- The Dolores Andrew Award selected by Dolores Andrew. This award is presented to an original entry that demonstrates creative use of color and design in any medium.
