About the Award 

From Grandfather Mountain to the North Carolina Coast, artists living their legacy have been honored since 1986 with the North Carolina Living Treasures designation by the UNC Wilmington Museum of World Cultures. 

NCLT MedallionThis recognition celebrates the value of artists and their craft as well as their contributions to education and society. Since its beginning, the biannual honor has recognized boatwrights, potters, luthiers, marqueters, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, weavers and glass artisans and bookbinders, to name a few. These craft artists reflect talents that were developed over decades of study and work, attaining the highest levels of achievement in their respective fields.

 

The North Carolina Living Treasures Award is made possible by an endowment to UNC Wilmington from Martin Meyerson, M.D., founder of New Hanover Radiation Oncology Center (now known as Coastal Carolina Radiation Oncology Center), in Wilmington, N.C., in memory of his mother, Dorothy Meyerson.
 
The award was originally conceived by UNCW faculty member Dr. Gerald "Jerry" Shinn who coordinated the process until he retired and moved from Wilmington. Dr. Shinn was influenced by the Japanese, who for centuries have searched their islands to discover outstanding craftsmen, celebrating artitsts' excellence in their craft through national recognition and honors. Dr.Shinn was an enthusiastic educator and a strong advocate for this award.

 

2017 Event

More information regarding the 2017 North Carolina Living Treasures Call for Nomations will be forth coming in January, 2017.

                 

Past Recipients

The following is a list of previous North Carolina Living Treasures. For more information about a recipient, visit the Past Recipients page.

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