2024 Awards
Belmont Society Award
Jane H Willis
Jane H. Willis, AAA, is the sole proprietor of Jane H. Willis Appraisal Service, founded in 1978, specializing in estate-related and donation appraisals of 18th- to 20th-century American fine and decorative arts. She was a partner in Antiques Gallery, Ltd., focusing on 18th- and 19th-century English and American furniture and decorative arts from 1978 to 1986.
Jane has been a member of the Appraisers Association since 1982 and is certified in Antique American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Silver, and as a Generalist. She served on the Appraisers Association's board from 1988 to 2013, including a term as President from 2002 to 2004. Jane also created and taught the Appraisal Writing Workshop at NYU from 1995 to 2011 and contributed to the Association's Appraising Art: The Definitive Guide, 2013 and 2024 editions.
President's Award
Alasdair Nichol, AAA
Alasdair Nichol is Deputy Chairman of Freeman's | Hindman. He previously served as Chairman of Freeman's, and he and two colleagues acquired the company in a friendly management buy-out in 2016.
He joined Freeman’s in 1999, and as an auctioneer of almost 30 years, has sold many significant collections, including The George D. Horst Collection of Fine Art and The Lehman Brothers Collection. He was instrumental in establishing Freeman’s departmental fine sales and has spearheaded the company’s mission of showcasing single-owner collections.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, he studied fine art at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen. He later graduated with a master's degree from the University of Ulster in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In 1985, he embarked on his career in the auction world in Edinburgh before moving to Glasgow, where he organized the first sale of Scottish contemporary art at the world-renowned Glasgow School of Art. Since 1998 he has been a familiar face on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.
Director's Award
Mary Pontillo
Mary Pontillo is Senior Vice President, National Fine Arts Product Leader at Risk-Strategies. In her current position, Mary produces Fine Art accounts including Fine Art dealers, private collectors, museums, and artist foundations among others, along with the Property & Casualty policies associated with these accounts. In addition, Mary develops thought leadership surrounding the Fine Art Practice’s expertise.
Before joining DeWitt Stern (now Risk Strategies) in May 2006, Mary worked at an international insurance broker’s Fine Art division for over three years as a Fine Art Insurance Underwriter and Account Manager. In addition, she taught art in Norfolk, VA, for two years and served as a docent at the Smithsonian Institute’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C.
Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art and Masters in Art History from James Madison University. She also completed the Appraisal Studies and Art Business certificate programs at New York University. Mary is working toward her Certified Professional Co-Active Coach designation through the Co-Active Training Institute.
For many years, since 2010, Mary was recognized as Power Broker: Fine Art category by Risk & Insurance magazine and in 2011, Risk & Insurance magazine awarded Mary the Responsibility Leader designation. The National Association of Insurance Women – NY, recognized Mary with the Enterprising Achiever Award. She serves as the President of the Board for Second Street Gallery in Charlottesville, VA and is a member of the Appraisers Association of America’s Advisory Council as well as the Inland Marine Underwriters Association Arts & Records Committee.
Education Award
Jay Grimm, AAA
Jay Grimm is a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America specializing in Post-War and Contemporary Art and is co-chair of its National Conference Committee, as well as a member of the executive committee of the Association’s board of directors. Grimm also is the chair of the vetting committee for postwar and contemporary art for the Winter Show.
Regional Award
Sarah Reeder, AAA
Sarah Reeder, AAA is a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America with a generalist specialization based in Virginia. In addition to serving as CEO of her firm Artifactual History Appraisal, Sarah is Co-Editor of Worthwhile Magazine and Co-Host of The Art Elevator podcast. She is a midcentury modern design specialist and the author of the book Ray Eames in 1930s New York.
Student Award
Jessica Eisenthal
Jessica Eisenthal is an art historian based in Brooklyn and Saratoga Springs, New York. She received a BA from Skidmore College (French Literature), an MA from Columbia University and a PhD from the Courtauld Institute in London. She has completed curatorial and research projects at the Tang Museum; Los Angeles County Museum; Whitney Museum; and Tate Modern, London. She worked as Senior Project Manager of Jenny Holzer Studio, and was Associate Director of Lombard Freid Gallery in Chelsea. Her recent writings include essays on Arshile Gorky for Hauser & Wirth, Ursula Magazine and for Ellsworth Kelly: Postcards, the first survey of Kelly's postcard collages.
History of Awards
|
Belmont Society Award President’s Award Director’s Award |
Service to Education Award Mee-seen Loong, 2023 Helen Hall, 2020
Regional Service Award Student Award Emily Casden, 2015 "Assoc. Steering Com” 2010 Augustus Fisher Award |
