The 7th Annual Designer Toy Awards Announced
The 2017 Ceremony Will Take Place In Partnership With The Five Points Festival
Hosted by Academy Award® Nominated Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock
New York City, N.Y. (April 26, 2017)—Clutter Magazine is pleased to bring The 7th Annual Designer Toy Awards (DTAs) fueled by Lagunitas Brewing Company to Webster Hall (125 E 11th Street) on Friday, May 19. The world’s premier accolade for designer toy artists and the industry around them, The DTAs kick off the inaugural Five Points Festival, a toy and comic art convention curated by Clutter, taking over Pier 36 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side on May 20 & 21. Hosting the DTAs this year is Academy Award-nominated writer, director, producer and obsessive toy collector Morgan Spurlock.
DTA nominees span North America, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, with winners determined both through a panel of industry judges as well as in select categories by the voting public. Fans looking to cast a ballot can help select the winner in six public categories: Artist of the Year, Custom of the Year, Toy of the Year, Best Blog, Best Toy Store, and Best Online Toy Store. Votes for these categories can be cast online athttps://www.designertoyawards.
Created by Clutter founders Miranda O’Brien and Josh Kimberg, The Designer Toy Awards have consistently recognized emerging, leading, and influential names in the art toy movement, with past award winners including Amanda Louise Spayd, Andrew Bell, Chris Ryniak, Frank Kozik, Gary Ham, Jason Freeny, J*Ryu, Huck Gee, KAWS, Luke Chueh, Tristan Eaton, Todd McFarlane, Bigfoot One, and Ron English. This year sees a new evolution for the awards, taking place for the first time at the historic Webster Hall, and welcoming the acclaimed Morgan Spurlock as host. Known for Super Size Me, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Comic-Con Episode Four: A Fan’s Hope, Mansome, The Eagle Huntress, and Morgan Spurlock Inside Man, Spurlock is also an avid fan and collector, and he brings with him tremendous respect and knowledge for the designer toy space.
“I’m honored to emcee this year’s Designer Toy Awards,” said Spurlock. “I’ve spent my career putting a spotlight on various cultures and subcultures around the world, with the art toy community one of the most textured and fascinating – and one I have supreme pleasure in being part of.”
O’Brien said of the show’s growth, “The Designer Toy Awards were established to shine a spotlight on the amazing creators, producers, and fans who work tirelessly to realize amazing pieces of collectable art. We’re proud to help, at least once a year, give our whole community a chance to come together and celebrate each others’ accomplishments. This year we couldn’t be more excited to have Morgan Spurlock host at Webster Hall, and all with the help of our wonderfully supportive sponsor – Lagunitas!”
Fans looking to mingle with designer toy industry luminaries will have access to the award ceremony with the purchase of a Five Points Festival VIP Weekend Ticket for $125. In addition to attending one of the best parties in the East Village, VIP Weekend Ticket holders will be able to experience the Five Points Festival’s dynamic lineup of counterculture artists from around the world, gourmet food trucks, and craft beer. Fans will be able to engage and catch up with past DTA winners and further toy and comic artisans at Five Points Festival including Amanda Louise Spayd, Bryan Lee O’Malley, Chris Ryniak, Cliff Chiang, Gary Ham, Huck Gee, Jamal Igle, Jason Freeny, Khary Randolph, Mags Visaggio, Ron English, Tara McPherson, Sean Gordon Murphy, and Simone Legno.
