Spirits Live On Through Art Awards

Awards can convey appreciation for so many things, from celebrating achievements and capturing company cultures to one of the most meaningful opportunities we have had at Bennett Awards: being a part of honoring the lives of special individuals who have passed on. We have gotten to hear incredible stories about the lives of some of the honorees and about the difference they have made in the world. It was a privilege for our project managers, designers, and artists to receive the trust of the loved ones and community of these individuals to capture their spirits in a piece of art. 

Some of these individuals are widely known in the world and have left behind a legacy that reaches internationally, including comedy legend Rodney Dangerfield. Rodney’s widow Joan Dangerfield helped create the “Rodney Respect” Award along with one of our artists. Because this award was a fully custom award that was sculpted by hand, the artist created a caricature image of Rodney that captures his hilarious personality and contributions to the comedy world through a playful, cartoonish sculpting style. This custom bronze award is presented to a comedian each year who embodies the generous and talented spirit of Rodney, and the awards ceremony is part of a fundraiser for neurosurgery research at the hospital that once performed lifesaving surgery on Rodney. In this way, the spirit of Rodney lives on through this acknowledgement of outstanding individuals in the comedy world and through the financial support for those scientists and doctors doing work Rodney would appreciate.

Another prominent figure who inspired a custom award with their legacy was Edward R. Murrow, a pioneer in radio and television broadcasting, for whom Washington State University created the Edward R. Murrow Award For Lifetime Achievement in Broadcast Journalism. The bronze sculpture award is in the shape of a vintage broadcast microphone, appropriately capturing the chapter in the history of broadcasting when Murrow’s voice was reaching so many people in the world to deliver the news and wish them “good night and good luck.” This award depicts a realistic bronze replica of the tool that allowed Murrow to play such an important role in revolutionizing the dissemination of news to the public, which will no doubt be a meaningful reminder to recipients of the torch they carry. Indeed, those in the communication industry with similar goals to Murrow, regardless of how different modern broadcasting tools may be, also deserve to have their valuable efforts acknowledged. Current leaders in this work will receive this award, and through its design, be reminded of how their work honors Murrow by utilizing and building on the path that he carved in broadcasting. 

Another legacy that continues to be honored with a custom award created in memoriam was professional poker legend David Reece, appropriately known by most as “Chip.” Considered one of the greatest cash game poker players of all time, Reece tragically passed away from a heart attack in 2007. His noteworthy skills, along with his passion for the game and contributions to the game itself, led to his induction in the Poker Hall Of Fame in 1991, as the youngest person to receive the honor at that time. His accomplishments also include winning a historical and inaugural H.O.R.S.E. event at the World Series of Poker in 2006, and it was his winning hand of cards in this event that was captured by Bennett Awards for this sculpture award. The David “Chip” Reece Trophy was designed as a perpetual trophy, therefore each year the name of the H.O.R.S.E. champion at the World Series of Poker will be added to the large marble base. The trophy will serve as a record and reminder of all the individuals whose poker skills have allowed them to excel as winners, and will honor the game itself through its creative yet timeless beauty which will be shared each year with all the viewers tuning in to watch the tournament on ESPN. Because there was only one award produced, the World Series of Poker was able to invest in making this unique award truly impressive, and it features a gold and diamond accent, celebrating the luxury that comes with winning at the card table. This custom award captures the spirit of “Chip” Reece by capturing one of the moments when he helped make history in the game he loved so much. 

Sometimes, the memorial individual who our awards help to honor has less of a global reach, but still creates enormous impact within their communities… regardless of how many years they have had to make that impact. This is the case with Quinn Cammaert, a thirteen-year-old from Toronto who was killed in a tragic boating accident involving a driver under the influence. Her parents commissioned the custom award based on a sunflower, Quinn’s favorite flower, and the design also incorporates elements reminiscent of sun rays. This perpetual award, called the Quinn Cammaert Sunshine Award, will recognize youth in the Toronto area who also embody a bright, warm spirit that touches their community, similar to the way Quinn’s touched and brightened hers. This custom award is a reminder of the unique details of her life and the things that brought her joy, not to mention the way she made other people feel. Additionally, it is a reminder that her compassionate spirit lives on in the admirable qualities of other special young people like her, who will undoubtedly be honored to have their names displayed next to hers on this beautiful and meaningful artistic award. 

All of these custom sculpture awards were made to respectfully honor the lives of people who are no longer physically with us by creating a piece of custom art to exist in spaces that allow their spirits and stories to have a physical presence. The thoughtful and intentional designs were created in collaboration with those who know these honorees’ lives and stories best, capturing the singular details that encompass someone’s life journey in a time and place. These awards allow us to remember and be inspired to carry on the special and admirable qualities of these individuals in our lives, and reflect on what they meant to us and our world. At Bennett Awards, there is no greater honor for our artists and designers than to put their creative energies towards these efforts and to be a part of the continuation of these individuals’ stories.