This is a virtual event and an access link will be provided.

Please join us for a panel discussion featuring former Acanthus Awards jurors Steve Eckman and Barbara Eberlein, alongside past award winner Alison Strickler of Hollander Design, as they share insights on how to craft a compelling, award-winning Acanthus Awards submission.

Panelist Bios

Barbara Eberlein

President and Creative Director of Eberlein Design Consultants Ltd, Barbara was formally educated in the classics, history, archaeology and art, an education that has served her enduring passion for design. With an influential voice in today’s dynamic design community, she has built a national reputation for expertise in the restoration of significant historic structures of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. She is a sought-after lecturer on classical design, equally respected for her scholarly mastery and boundless enthusiasm for the field. Dedicated to lifelong learning, Barbara has received fellowships with distinguished programs for advanced study in England and Italy. Being an inveterate traveler constantly absorbing the aesthetic richness of the world, Barbara inspires her uniquely gifted staff in producing memorable environments expressed in a wide range of styles, always incorporating advances in materials, design and technology. 

Alison Strickler

As Marketing Director of Hollander Design Landscape Architects, Alison brings over 20 years of experience shaping how design firms communicate their work. In addition to leading in-house marketing, Alison advises AEC firms on content strategy and messaging. Known for a sharp focus on storytelling and visual strategy, Alison has helped Hollander Design secure more than 30 awards in the past five years, including honors from the ICAA and ASLA. Her approach to award submissions is simple: the most successful entries are both descriptive and emotive—crafted with the clarity of expertise and the resonance of a compelling story.

Stephen Eckman