The colorful enamel and gold handiwork of Toronto-based jewelry design newcomer Holly Dyment was recognized on July 29 with the 2013 Mort Abelson New Designer of the Year Award.

The honor was announced at the Jewelers of America Summer Show in New York City, where Dyment showcased witty interpretations of Day of the Dead skulls and Andy Wharhol-esque lips. The onetime interior designer was selected as the winner from a field that included nine others exhibiting in the New Designer Gallery. Judges included editors and retailers, who cast votes for lines they felt brought the freshest point of view to fine jewelry.

“This year many judges felt Holly’s perspective was new, noteworthy, sellable, and most of all, memorable,” New Designer Gallery coordinator Cindy Edelstein told the media.

The New Designer of the Year Award is a 36-year tradition named after the late Mort Abelson, a previous JA Show director who had a passion for bolstering the profiles of up-and-coming artists.

JCK