The Art Directors Guild (ADG, IATSE Local 800) will honor production designer and director Bo Welch, set designer/art director Jann Engel, illustrator, storyboard artist and production designer Tom Southwell, and scenic artist Stephen McNally with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 30th Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards on February 28, 2026, at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown.
Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to Bo Welch (Production Designer, Director), Jann Engel (Set Designer, Art Director), Tom Southwell (Illustrator, Storyboard Artist, Production Designer), and Stephen McNally (Scenic Artist), in recognition of their exceptional contributions and lasting impact on their respective disciplines.
“As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Excellence in Production Design Awards, we celebrate not just the outstanding achievements of the past year, but also three decades of visionary artistry that have defined the visual storytelling of film and television.” said Dina Lipton, president of the Art Directors Guild. “This milestone honors the art directors, illustrators, storyboard artists, set designers, scenic and graphic artists and all of the creative minds who work in the art department and continue to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.”
The Excellence in Production Design Awards event will be produced by Megan Elizabeth Bell, Michael Allen Glover, and Tom Wilkins.
Bo Welch
The Art Directors (AD) Council will honor Welch, an Oscar®-nominated production designer known for iconic films including Beetlejuice, Batman Returns, Edward Scissorhands, Men in Black, The Birdcage, and the TV show A Series of Unfortunate Events. Welch’s longstanding creative collaborations with directors such as Tim Burton, Mike Nichols, and Barry Sonnenfeld have resulted in some of the most visually imaginative films of the past three decades.
“Bo Welch is a visionary whose work has helped define the aesthetic of modern fantasy and science fiction. His fearless imagination and unmistakable design sensibility have brought to life some of cinema’s most iconic worlds–from the surreal landscapes of Edward Scissorhands to the stylized chaos of Men in Black. Bo’s enduring collaborations with directors like Tim Burton and Barry Sonnenfeld speak to the trust and admiration he’s earned throughout his career. We are thrilled to celebrate his legacy and extraordinary contributions to the art of production design,” said Michael Allen Glover, chair of the Art Directors Council.
Jann Engel
The Set Designer & Model Maker (SDMM) Council will recognize Engel, who has enjoyed a groundbreaking career and is the proud winner of two ADG Awards for Art Direction.
Over the past three decades, Engel has worked on more than 75 productions, including Memoirs of a Geisha, Mars Attacks!, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Legends of the Fall, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Road to Perdition, Addams Family Values and the miniseries The Offer. Her work has contributed to numerous Academy Award®, BAFTA, and ADG Award-winning productions.
“Jann Engel’s remarkable career has left an indelible mark on the art of visual storytelling. Her work on some of the most ambitious and visually compelling films of our time–ranging from award-winning dramas to epic blockbusters–reflects a rare blend of creativity, precision, and leadership. Jann’s contributions have helped shape the language of contemporary cinema, while her mentorship, service, and dedication to sustainability continue to elevate our community. It is a true honor to recognize her with the Art Directors Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Tim Croshaw, chair of the Set Designers & Model Makers Council.
Tom Southwell
The Illustrators and Matte Artists (IMA) Council will recognize Southwell for his excellence in production design, storyboarding, and illustration. His contributions to major studio projects, including Blade Runner, X-Men, and Disturbia, served as a critical bridge between script and screen. Projects including Navy Seals and Arachnophobia led him to City Slickers, where he formed a longstanding creative partnership with director Ron Underwood on the films Heart and Souls, Speechless and Mighty Joe Young.
“With a career spanning decades and a portfolio that includes some of the most iconic films of our time, Tom Southwell has been instrumental in shaping the visual storytelling of countless major studio productions. His ability to translate words on a page into dynamic, cinematic imagery has made him an indispensable collaborator to directors and production designers alike. Tom’s work exemplifies the power of illustration in bridging script and screen, and we are proud to recognize his outstanding contributions with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Matthew Cunningham, ADG Illustrators and Matte Artists Council chair.
Stephen McNally
The Scenic, Title & Graphic Artists (STG) Council will honor McNally, a scenic artist renowned for his decades of creative contributions to feature films such as Anna and the King, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, What Dreams May Come, Flubber and the TV show, Trauma. He has also spent 15 years building and painting scenery for the San Francisco Opera; “Don Giovani” being his favorite. He has a longstanding dedication to the scenic artist community including his association with San Francisco-based Island Creative Management.
“Stephen McNally has spent his career honing and sharing the craft of scenic art, and his extraordinary command of classical scenic techniques has elevated both period and contemporary productions across stage and screen. His work reflects a deep respect for tradition while embracing the evolving demands of modern storytelling. Beyond his artistry, Stephen has been a dedicated mentor and advocate for the scenic artist community–sharing his knowledge generously and helping to shape the next generation of talent. We are proud to celebrate his lasting impact with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Sarah Gonzalez, STG Council chair.
