Established in 1991, the Norman M. Lipman Award was created to honor individuals of unique gifts and character – individuals as outstanding in their own way as the man for whom the award is named.
Nominees are proposed annually by people who are in some way associated with the wine and spirits industry throughout the world. Requests for nominations are sent in April of each year from the Administrative Office of l’Eté du Vin. Nomination forms must be received by June 1.
Norman Lipman is remembered by many as a person who observed, honored and encouraged achievement in other people. Nominators are asked to continue this tradition by naming a person who they feel is especially worthy of recognition for his or her positive personal attributes. The recipient is then chosen by a selection committee made up of prominent members of the national business community, the media, government and the clergy.
Unlike other awards of national distinction, the Norman M. Lipman Award does not have prescribed criteria for nomination. Instead, it is given in recognition of the most inspiring qualities of its recipient, as defined by his or her nominator. Past recipients have included leading figures from the wine and spirits industry, as well as private individuals noted for their love of wine and their respect for those who produce it. These individuals have been recognized for qualities as diverse as energy, vision, accomplishment, generosity, and leadership.
The public commemoration of the Norman Lipman Award is a specially commissioned sculpture, Man of Love and Wisdom, by Tennessee artist Terry Williams. Created of burnished steel, the twelve-foot statue depicts a figure striding forward in confident leadership. His hand is outstretched, palm up, in a gesture of support and encouragement. On his arm is the heart of love and on his shoulder the owl of divine perception and wisdom.
A special committee was formed to take proposals from young, local artists, and to choose the one which would best commemorate Norman Lipman’s life and relationships with others, and would honor the recipients of the Norman Lipman Award. On permanent loan to Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, where Norman Lipman received treatment and comfort during his final illness, the sculpture is housed in a private atrium where the families of cancer patients can retire for peace and reflection.
Each recipient of the Norman M. Lipman Award receives a small steel replica of the owl from Man of Love and Wisdom, created annually by artist Terry Williams as a unique recognition of his or her achievement.
