The Silhouette Awards,
aann AAwards wards PProgram rogram w with ith a TTwist wist By PARKER ALLEN
Every day on my way to work, I pass by a work of art that always catches my eye. It is beautiful, yet simple. It is a series of interconnected poles, each one resting on and supported by another. Without its neighbors, each would fall to the ground. But together, they keep each other upright. The important truth distilled in this simple piece of artwork is that our personal and professional lives depend so much on the support and guidance of others. This is especially true for young professionals figuring out what to make of their careers and their lives. Every Plato needs his Socrates, someone to stoke the fire of creativity and passion within himself. Someone with real world experience who has navigated the challenges of professional life. Someone who can offer advice and guidance. A good mentor can make all the difference. A strong belief in the importance of mentorship led Eve Gaut of Parrot PR and Marketing and Katia Kolovea of Archifos to create the Silhouette Awards in 2021. The goal of this global program is to “identify the rising stars of the lighting industry,” wherever they are, and support them as they grow their careers. The name might be a
little misleading—it is not a traditional awards program. Rather than receiving a trophy or certificate, the winners are awarded with a 6-month mentorship with an industry leader. I have followed this program since this past January, when the inaugural winners were announced. Now that the first round of mentorships are wrapping up, I spoke with the mentors and mentees to find out how the program went. To my surprise, almost everyone I reached out to enthusiastically agreed to share their experiences.
The Process When the Silhouette Awards began in the fall of 2021, Eve and Katia contacted twenty well-established and notable lighting professionals to serve as the inaugural mentors. They then opened up the program to applicants who were asked to submit a 3-minute video in which they described themselves, their mentorship goals, and another passion outside the lighting industry. All videos were then reviewed by the mentors, who chose their top 20 out of a field of more than 50 submissions. They also picked their top 5 – the applicants who they felt they could help the most. Sam Koerbel, one of the mentors, emphasized how difficult this process was. “Everyone who applied was 100% qualified, so it was really about creating the right fit between the mentors and mentees.”
Merging Steel by Steve Benneyworth
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designing lighting