Awards & Recognition
Honoring members who advance the art and science of visual communication.
image credit: Amy Maltzan
Award Categories
Since 1994, GNSI has recognized outstanding members whose innovation, service, and dedication have shaped our community. These awards celebrate the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and professional excellence.
Special Projects Award
Established in 1994, this award honors major initiatives that significantly advance GNSI’s mission or the field of science illustration.
Recipients have shown innovation, creativity, and determination in bringing to life projects such as the
Guild Handbook of Scientific Illustration, Science Insights, the GNSI website, and membership surveys that shaped strategic planning.
Special Service Award
Created in 2008, this award recognizes long-term dedication to GNSI through volunteerism, service, teaching, mentoring, or substantial ongoing support.
Recipients may not have held formal leadership roles, but their steady contributions have been vital to the strength and continuity of our community.
Distinguished Service Award
Established in 1994, this award honors members with many years of sustained service, often including Board leadership and conference coordination.
Recipients have devoted countless hours to advancing the Guild and strengthening its professional standards.
image credits: Katerina Evangelou, Linda Feltner (member since 1985), Janet Stephens (member since 2021)
Special Projects Award:
- 2021 - Joel Floyd
- 2018 - Diana Marques; Gail Guth and Britt Griswold; Kalliopi Monoyios
- 2016 - Kris Kirkeby
- 2015 - Ikumi Kayama
- 2009 - Britt Griswold
- 2006 - Norm Frisch
- 1999 - Bev Benner
- 1998 - Taina Litwak
- 1995 - Norm Frisch
- 1994 - Sally Bensusen
Special Service Award:
- 2014 - Trudy Nicholson
- 2013 - Nancy Halliday
- 2012 - John Cody; Gerald Hodge
- 2008 - Leslie Becker; John Norton
- 2002 - Elaine Hodges
Distinguished Service Award:
- 2019 - Ikumi Kayama
- 2017 - Amelia Janes
- 2012 - Sara Taliaferro
- 2011 - Marlene Hill Donnelly
- 2009 - Gail Guth
- 2007 - Julie Kulak
- 2006 - Gretchen Halpert
- 2005 - Karen Ackoff
- 2004 - Marj Leggitt
- 2003 - Dick Rauh
- 2001 - Mary Jane Spring Brush
- 2000 - Virge Kask
- 1999 - Alice Tangerini
- 1998 - Kris Kirkeby
- 1997 - Trudy Nicholson
- 1995 - Elaine Hodges
- 1994 - Britt Griswold
Celebrating Our Community
These awards honor the dedication and talent that make GNSI thrive.
Do you know someone whose work deserves recognition?