The Lux Art Institute in Encinitas recently received two first-place and one second-place awards from the American Association of Museums (AAM) in the AAM’s 26th annual Publication Design Competition. A Lux spokeswoman said it’s the only national juried event that acknowledges excellence in graphic design of museum publications. John Ball, partner and creative director of the San Diego design firm MiresBall, is creator of Lux’s publications.

The first-place awards were for invitations to an event for some of Lux’s members, and for posters for Lux’s “Valise Project” exhibit. The second-place was for a brochure to the “Valise Project.”