2025 NEST HERITAGE CRAFT PRIZE
Blaze Your Own Trail
About the Prize
This September, Nest launched its third annual Heritage Craft Prize, in partnership with Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott. The Prize celebrated artists and craftspeople who are blazing their own trail by reimagining heritage craft techniques through the use of innovative motifs and materials.
Makers, artists, and craftspeople based in Texas were encouraged to enter a submission that demonstrated their technical mastery, as well as a thoughtful connection to cultural tradition through a singular, one-of-a-kind handcrafted piece.
Intended to provide the winner with financial resources to advance their craft pursuits and/or craft-based business, this year’s winner received a grand prize of $25,000 with additional grant funding awarded to four finalists.
2025 Heritage Craft Prize Winner
Lakea Shepard
Lakea Shepard is a textile and mixed-media sculptor from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Now residing in Houston, Texas, her work blends beading, millinery, and basketry—techniques rooted in her upbringing by a mechanic and textile worker. Represented by Kishka Gallery, her work is exhibited in galleries and museums nationwide.
On her craft, Lakea stated, “The majority of my sculptures are wearable on or around the head; therefore, I refer to them as “head sculptures” or “wearable sculptures”. I incorporate heavy usage of mixed media to carry my concepts, develop textures, and evoke senses. My work is comparable to “Where’s Waldo”, because the longer you stare at my sculptures, the more you’ll discover. "Where fine art meets craft" is my sole mission as an artist.”
2025 Heritage Craft Prize Runner-Up
Thomas Gutierrez
Thomas Gutierrez, known as STNLOW (pronounced sittin-low), is a cut paper artist based in Austin, Texas. His work blends the techniques and symbolism of traditional Mexican Papel Picado and Aztec paper cutting, known as amatl, with the bold, graphic style of modern stencil street art. Raised in multicultural Houston with family roots in South Texas and Mexico, his work is rooted in heritage, bridging traditional techniques with modern expression.
On his craft, Thomas said, “What started as a home for my original hand-cut paper art has grown into a space where urban street art, storytelling, and streetwear collide. I craft and sell one-of-a-kind paper pieces, limited drops of apparel, and gear that carry the spirit of lowrider culture, street hustle, and cultural pride.”
Meet the 2025 Heritage Craft Prize Finalists
Take a moment to learn more about the wildly talented finalists that were celebrated during the 2025 Heritage Craft Prize Celebration in Austin, Texas on September 18, 2025.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2025 Heritage Craft Prize are now closed.
Please check back for updates about the Prize and other opportunities for artisans and makers.
Eligibility
Submissions are welcome from emerging to established makers and craft artists across Texas. Submissions must be made by the artist or creator. Submissions on behalf of an individual or a collective will not be considered.
Applicants must be 18 or older, residing and producing in Texas.
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Represent heritage craft found across Texas which includes (but is not limited to) various techniques such as sewing, beading, ceramics, metalworking, jewelry-making, woodworking, printmaking, silversmithing, textile weaving, natural dyeing, leatherworking, and more
Have a clearly defined connection or narrative of cultural preservation and/or generational story to the work being produced
Be an original, one-of-a-kind handmade work
Not have previously won a prize. Past winners are not eligible to reapply.
Be able to travel to Austin and be installed by Nest at the Heritage Craft Prize award reception
Have accompanying photo and video storytelling assets
Entries are limited to one submission per applicant
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Be able to attend an exclusive Nest event in Austin, Texas in September 2025 (exact date to be confirmed) where the 2025 Nest Heritage Craft Prize winner will be announced.
All selected finalist submissions must be available and transported to Austin for the award reception.
Be available for filming and photography in-studio in Texas during August 2025
Finalists may be asked to speak about their craft practice during a panel at the awards reception In September
Judging
Submissions are reviewed by a panel of experts who evaluate excellence in technique and connection to heritage through storytelling. Previous judges include:
Kendra Scott, Founder + Philanthropist
Rebecca van Bergen, Nest’s Founder + Executive Director
Essence Harden, Writer + Curator
Guadalupe Hernandez, Winner of the 2023 Heritage Craft Prize
Amber Valletta, Model, Actress + Activist
Emily Zaiden, Director of the Craft in America Center
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Written responses should be thoughtful, detailed, reflective and provide insight into the applicant’s personal connection or generational tie to their craft
Clear connection between the submission and the storytelling
Technical proficiency and execution
Innovation: is the work reimagining or updating a craft tradition through different materials, techniques, processes, or design concepts?
The 2025 Heritage Craft Prize is generously sponsored by
Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott is a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of Texas, drawing inspiration from the timeless elegance of golden roses. Born out of love for Kendra’s Texas family ranch and the connection, tranquility, and adventure it brings, the newest extension of the Kendra Scott brand effortlessly blends vintage-inspired jewelry and accessories. Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott is proud to invest in the next generation of creators and partner with Nest to empower the talented makers and artists of the American West.