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BALTIMORE, Md. (August 31, 2010) --- NICHE, the exclusive trade magazine for retailers of fine craft, has chosen Hanson Galleries of Houston, Texas, operated by Donna and Art Milstein, as its 2010 NICHE Retailer of the Year.
For 33 years, Hanson Galleries has showcased the creative works of some of America’s most talented fine craft artists. While maintaining two galleries in Houston, Donna Milstein has traveled the nation lecturing, teaching and mentoring fellow retailers as well as emerging artists. In her role as education program coordinator for the nonprofit trade group CRAFT (Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow), Milstein organizes and teaches professional development seminars to strengthen her peers’ skills.
In her application, Milstein wrote: “Hanson Galleries has been nominated many times in 33 years, but this year’s nomination holds the most honor since it has come after our most trying year in business.”
Hanson Galleries has weathered the economic challenges of hurricanes, the Enron business collapse, and now the recession. Each time, Milstein has redoubled her efforts on behalf of the artists whose work is shown in her galleries.
She has developed an award-winning newsletter to promote the artists in her stores. At the February 2010 Buyers Market of American Craft tradeshow, she organized a visual merchandising contest to help retailers improve their store display and decorating skills. She has directed popular “Table Topics” roundtable discussions about best practices in retailing at several national tradeshows.
“If I had to choose one word to describe this retailer, I would use the word “trouper,” said Hope Daniels, editorial director of NICHE. “Everyone in retail has been having a challenging year. Donna has been very generous with her knowledge and her skills, and that’s why she is so deserving of this award.” | 
