Chapter News Archive 2008

ASID Chapter Leadership Conference

By Catherine Hempfling-Prossen, ASID
Posted: 9/26/08

Every year ASID National plans a Chapter Leadership Conference (CLC) for incoming board members from 49 ASID professional chapters as well as for the president-elects from the student chapters. ASID WI sent the professional board along with the 7 upcoming student chapter presidents to this year’s conference which was held in Calgary, Canada. The location proved to be a beautiful setting for 3 great days of intensive learning and networking.

CLC offered several amazing keynote speakers who covered topics from creating ASID brand loyalty in our chapter to how to handle conflict resolution. Individual training sessions were also provided for both professional board members as well as student members. During these sessions, the professional board reviewed their particular position’s responsibilities and student leaders became familiarized with strategic planning and fundraising concepts.

The professional and student leaders of ASID-Wisconsin returned from CLC informed and energized and look forward to serving our members during the 2008-2009 ASID year.

By Jessica Mahne, ASID
Posted 9/17/08

ASID Wisconsin member, and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Professor, Patricia C. Kluetz, ASID, was recently honored as the recipient of the ASID National award for ASID Student Chapter Faculty Advisor of the Year.  The award recognizes the enthusiasm and insightfulness of an outstanding ASID student chapter faculty advisor.   As a dedicated faculty advisor for the UW Stevens Point ASID Student Chapter since 1996, she has played a significant role in the success of the student chapter.  For example, under her counsel, the chapter has received awards for National ASID Student Chapter of the Year in 2006 and National Student Chapter ASID Newsletter of the Year in 2005 and 2006 (Honorable Mentions).

Professor Kluetz was nominated by her students, members of the UW-Stevens Point ASID Student Chapter, to receive the award.  In their nomination, her students cited her passion for professionalism and for ASID.  They wrote, "Although we work very hard as students, we owe her much of our success.  It is proven that true leaders lead by example. The professionalism and involvement Professor Kluetz exemplifies in ASID on a national, state, and student chapter level is inspiring to the students at UW–Stevens Point. We often take for granted what an asset she is to our student chapter, and feel that national recognition of her leadership is overdue."

Professor Kluetz is a 2007 recipient of the ASID Chapter Educator Medalist award, the highest award bestowed by ASID on Society members at the chapter level in recognition of outstanding service and significant contributions to their chapter and to the body of knowledge that supports the profession of interior design.  She also is the 2008-2009 Chairperson of the ASID National Student Advisory Council, which serves to inspire and enrich the student experience within the greater ASID community.

Professor Pat Kluetz, ASID is a wonderful asset to our chapter and to her students, and we congratulate her on this honor!

Posted 9/12/08

The Madison Area Technical College (MATC) Student Chapter was honored in its inaugural year to receive the ASID National Student Chapter Newsletter of the Year Award. The newsletter was honored for its design, content and adherence to ASID’s branding. Jury members noted that it was visually exciting and very informative.  National ASID President, Rita Carson-Guest, FASID presented the award to Erich Gaul, MATC Student Chapter President and Jessica Mahne, ASID, MATC Faculty Advisor at an awards luncheon during the ASID Chapter Leadership Conference in Calgary, Canada this summer. 

ASID National President, Rita Carson-Guest, FASID announces the Student Chapter Newsletter of the Year award winner at the CLC awards luncheon.

L to R: Jessica Mahne, ASID, Rita Carson-Guest, FASID, Erich Gaul, Student Member ASID.

Design MMoCA Showcases ASID WI Members

By Jessica Mahne, ASID
Posted: 5/31/08

The ASID Wisconsin Chapter was a proud partner in this spring’s hottest design event in Madison, “Design MMoCA.” The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA), who approached the Wisconsin Chapter of ASID in May of 2007 to become a partner in planning the event, conceived the idea for the Design MMoCA interior design showcase.

The outcome of the months of hard work of all involved was on display at the museum April 24-27, 2008. Design MMoCA welcomed museum visitors to explore 16 unique room vignettes created by local and regional design teams. Each space was inspired by an artwork from MMoCA’s permanent collection, thereby showcasing both the incredible works of art as well as interiors designed by some of the area’s most creative designers. The museum staff and interior design professionals juried all submissions for the exhibit.

Our fabulous ASID Wisconsin members selected to design vignettes were:

• CRB Interiors
  • Bill Beaudreau, ASID
• InteriorLOGIC Facility Planning
  • Robin Stroebel, ASID
• H. Krueger & Associates
  • Harry Krueger, ASID
  • Barbara Carpenter, ASID
  • David Wheaton, Allied Member ASID
• Laurie Driscoll Interiors
  • Laurie Lodholz, ASID
• Tania S. May, ASID
• Sandy Gordon Interiors
  • Sandy Gordon, ASID
• Indocara Global Home Furnishings
  • Natasha Vora, Industry Partner ASID

The four-day event took place in the museum’s main gallery, and featured a design lecture series, reading room, and lobby lounge in addition to the showcase of vignettes. Our own chapter president, Jodie Thill, ASID and past-president, Jessica Mahne, ASID led a guided tour of the exhibit on Saturday afternoon, titled “Designers on Design.”

A fabulous champagne preview party was held on Thursday evening to kick-off the event. This lively party offered flowing champagne, delicious hors d’oevres, and the opportunity for attendees to mingle with members of the design community while being the first to experience the showcase. Several ASID members from across the state attended to get a sneak-peak at the exhibit and support the ASID members who had designed vignettes.

Design MMoCA was organized in partnership with MMoCA, the ASID Wisconsin Chapter and the IIDA Wisconsin Chapter. Many products for the artfully designed vignettes were generously donated by ASID Wisconsin Industry Partners.  Big thank you to the Design MMoCA ASID WI Chairperson, Brenda Brady, ASID, who worked on the planning committee for several months to help bring this project to fruition.

Design MMoCA was generously sponsored by Rubin’s Furniture; Madison Magazine; Hiebing; M&I Bank; M&I Wealth Management; Wisconsin State Journal; Wisconsin Department of Tourism; Adams Outdoor Advertising; Iconi Interiors; and The Artful Home.

Interiors '08 – The New Experience

By Wendy Schaffer, ASID
Posted: 4/19/08

What a wonderful event! I am pleased to report that the contingent from Wisconsin (Deb Alton, ASID, Bill Beaudreau, ASID, Julianna Boerner, Student ASID, Bonnie Feltz, Allied ASID, Renee Degelau , Student ASID, Catherine Hempfling-Prossen, IP, Sandy Gordon, ASID, Pat Kluetz, ASID, Leslie Lawton, ASID, Jessica Mahne, ASID, Jenny Rebholz, Allied ASID, Noreena Scheve, Student ASID, Hollie Schick, FASID, Wendy Schaffer, ASID, Jodie Thill, ASID and Deb Woodward, ASID) had the pleasure of attending both a noteworthy and educational event as well as a valuable networking experience.

The three-day conference was kicked off with an Opening Night Reception comprised of live New Orleans musical culture, a wonderful sampling of local cuisine and showcased product from the event’s full program Industry Partner sponsors.

Setting the tempo for Interiors ’08 were the three keynote speakers. The first was Jean-Michel Cousteau whose focus was, naturally, on the Earth’s water ways and oceans and the direct effect humans have on this finite and diminishing resource. He stressed the need for education on all levels, an awareness of how we live and the impact that our choices have on the planet. He believes the term Global Warming has been much overused and prefers the term Temperature Change to more correctly define what is happening in our ecosystems.

The second keynote speaker was Rosemarie Rossetti who was an inspiration to everyone. In 1998 her life was transformed when a 3.5 ton tree came crashing down on her which paralyzed her from the waist down. Since this accident, her drive in life has been to help mainstream America realize the options for enjoying a comfortable lifestyle through discussions on how to marry universal design, green building design, healthy homes and technology. She is in the process of building a home that encompasses all of the above. Through hard work she has been able to bring on board 94 corporate sponsors to help her build. The construction begins in May of this year. (Check out www.udll.com to watch the progress). The home will be open to the public for the first year and by appointment thereafter, as an educational tool for all related industries.

The last keynote speaker was Bran Ferren, Creative Technologist, Ex-Imagineeer and three-time Academy Award Winner. His presentation was filled with his vision of the future of design and technology. He offered concrete ways to redesign innovation processes from his own experiences.

A Jubilation Event was held Friday evening, where an auction was held to raise funds for the Foundation. Starting the night off was a grand parade march across the street, stopping traffic in all directions. If memory serves me correctly more than $120,000 was raised that evening for the Foundation’s work.

The Educational Tracks for the conference were Business Expertise, Generational Impact, Future Trends, Luxury Markets and Society and Environment. It’s been highly recommended that all members of the Wisconsin Chapter of ASID should visit www.asid.org/interiors and check out the selected portions of the keynote speakers.

In keeping with the theme of this event, ASID has taken an eco-friendly stance by not having hard copy handouts of the event. Instead you can go to www.asid.org/interiors and download the handouts from the conference.

Capping off the conference was the Celebration Event, when a record nine members were conferred the highest title of Fellow.

MATC Student Noreena Scheve's Experience of Interiors08 in New Orleans

By Noreena Scheve
Posted: 4/3/08

MATC Student Noreena Scheve’s Experience of Interiors08 in New Orleans I was very eager to attend the Interiors08 ASID Conference on Design in New Orleans March 13th - 15th for both personal and professional reasons. On a personal note it was the very first place my husband and I traveled to as a young couple 14 years ago so I was both eager and anxious to see the state of things firsthand. My husband accompanied me on this trip and while I was in conference he was out and about photographing the historic sites of New Orleans as well as the devastation and rebuilding efforts that coexist throughout the area but particularly in the 9th Ward. As you can see by the photo above although the rebuilding process is indignantly slow and arduous the spirit of the people of New Orleans is still intact, as evidenced by the beads blowing and dangling from the tree in this photo and throughout the Garden district. It looked like Mardi Gras had just happened the night before.

It is a tale of two cities...the historic and vital New Orleans before Katrina and a New Orleans post-Katrina that is reclaiming its pride and embracing new innovations. Sustainable design and architecture are taking root and wilhopefully empower people to stay in their homes and weather any storms that may come their way. This city with its rich architectural past, courtyard gardens and statelyinteriors, along with many people still living in tent cities and FEMA trailers, or worse yet homeless, actually proved tothe perfect setting to prick the conscious of designers.

It challenged me as designer to think about the powerful meaning of home and how the public spaces we gather in and so easily take for granted could be designed to serve us better. It instilled in me the true value of creating healthy and sustainable environments. It inspired me to pay reverence to the past but encouraged me to become a pathfinder for better ways of doing design in the future that leave a light environmental footprint on the earth. To this point guest speaker and lifetime environmentalist Jean-Michael Cousteau spoke best. I had heard him speak several decades ago when I was a high school senior but the tone and urgency of his message was much more pronounced when he spoke at Interiors 08. He challenged us as designers to seize this opportunity to find more harmonious and healthy ways through sustainable design to coexist with nature. He recruited us as a profession to become ambassadors of the cause since we can influence this industry and the direction it is going as well as how it impacts peoples' lives personally. With a "population explosion tapping into our earth's natural resources" and "global cooling" he challenged us to better understand our role in this world so we will be motivated to "protect what we love." I took that lesson to heart especially since it was his father Jacque Cousteau who inspired me as a young person to explore the depths of the oceans through scuba diving. I fell in love with and learned to respect this magically beautiful and awesome unseen world underwater. It may have taken the world a few decades to wake up to the principals of Green Design but I'm glad we as a species are finally on our way to discovering new ways of positively interacting with our world.

Professionally, I went to the conference to learn more about Universal Design. The lessons learned firsthand scooting around the hotel in a wheel chair reaffirmed that the current ADA guidelines are just that and they need revisiting to truly be accommodating to people of all ages with all abilities. It was an invaluable experience to learn from some of the best in this specialty area. However, the more I learned about Universal Design throughout the conference the more I cameto affirm just what guest speaker Rosemarie Rossetti concluded at the end of her talk. To paraphrase, Universal Design needs to be an equally powerful component of Sustainable Design because great spaces, planned with foresight and ease of access and living, empower people to live in place longer and minimize the impact of remodeling on the environment. This direction in design shouldn't just be a response to those physically challenged and an aging population, it should be our role as designers to implement it as a smart design practice that supports all people in their life spaces.

Meeting designers from around the country, learning about trends, sharing great food and fun was all a wonderful experience and I would do it again. Now it is time to put to practice things I learned and open up a new dialog and new possibilities with future clients about the real merits of Sustainable Design.

Black and White: Where Color Begins ASID Design Awards 2008

By Melissa Impellitteri, ASID
Posted: 3/11/08

Black and White: Where Color Begins. As designers, we can at times become overwhelmed with the abundance of color, pattern and texture in our lives. Even more so, we have the inclination to forget where our inspiration originated. Does is come from a beautiful landscape? A priceless piece of art or something as simple as a black and white photograph? It is essential for us to focus on the true beauty of design. Peel away the layers of complexity that can at times obscure our vision and allow ourselves to clearly see the essence of our ideas. This year, the awards committee wanted our audience to travel back to a time where things seemed less complex, color was merely behind the scenes, and elegance was simply a way of life. A modern day 1920’s Hollywood appearance embodied the framework of our simplistic fantasy.

The event was held at the Milwaukee Art Museum, where we were able to take advantage of the beautiful white interior and use its architectural sophistication as a premier focal point for the evening. In keeping with tradition of the time, pianist Brian Gerl, entertained guests with selections from the era. As the night went on, the musical talent of DJ John Alan and his unique fusion of early Jazz and modern beats filled the museum with a sound that was sure to please every guest. A key element to the design of the event was a beautiful black and white damask wall covering that was so graciously donated by Vicki Kloppenburg, Kathy Kennedy, Diane Lovegren, and Jim Zwiers of MDC Wallcoverings, ASID Industry Partners. This pattern blended the polished glamour with simple beauty and became a background for the nametags, donation boards, awards presentation, as well as the base for the floral centerpieces at the reserved tables. The stunning floral arrangements were designed by florist Stephanie McCready of Muscari Flowers and Gifts, who took our ideas and gave them life. With the stage set for 1920’s elegance, black and white simplicity, and pure class, a backdrop was created to showcase the award winning work and accomplishments of Wisconsin’s ASID Interior Designers.

The awards presentation was led by our Emcees, Roxanne Lancour, ASID and Bill Beaudreau, ASID. After dazzling everyone with their smiles, flair for old movies, and quick dance steps, they welcomed the approximate 400 attendees and prepared them for a night of design achievement and success.

This year there were an amazing 78 professional submissions that were judged by a group from the Colorado Chapter who concluded that 47 of those projects were deemed award worthy. Over the past few years, the participation from the student chapter has been growing with 19 submissions this year. A group of student judges from Zimmerman Architectural Studios considered 6 of the student projects to be deserving of an award. Our gratitude goes out to everyone that helped with the entire judging process. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and good luck to all designers in next year’s submission process.

Click here to see this year's winners...

Thank you to this years awards committee: Co-Chairs - Melissa Impellitteri, ASID and Jennifer Drake, ASID Volunteers - Aileen Strickland Allied Practitioner ASID, Liz Allen Industry Partner ASID, Roxanne Lancour, ASID, Lucinda Fioretti, Student Member ASID, Susan Ver Plank, Student Member ASID, and Sue Michalek, Allied Practitioner ASID.

IDCW Response to Recent Actions by the Institute of Justice

Posted: 2/2/08

After all of the effort that has been put forth in past years to give interior designers some protection and acknowledgment, the Institute of Justice, a Washington D.C. based law firm versus government body as the name implies,  is now legally challenging states that legislate the title ‘interior designer’ or the practice of ‘interior design’. Their position is that anyone should be able to call themselves an interior designer or practice interior design, regardless of training or education, and that it is unconstitutional to act otherwise. An inevitable effect is an increase in public confusion with a blurring of the distinction between qualified professional interior designers and those who are mere decorators, wishing to imply more. For those who fully understand the growing complexity of the interior design profession, the position of the Institute of Justice appears quite irresponsible.  

The primary purpose of current title and practice act legislation in any state is to protect the public from unqualified individuals who simply do not have the education or experience to fully understand the ramifications of uninformed decisions. Fortunately in Wisconsin, we convinced our legislators to act to protect the interests of the public by requiring professional interior designers to have graduated from an accredited institution, worked under the supervision of a qualified professional for a required period of time, and passed a fairly strenuous national examination, the NCIDQ.  Although Wisconsin legislates the title ‘Wisconsin Registered Interior Designer’ versus ‘Interior Designer’, the actions of the Institute of Justice raise the question of whether or not it's fair to the public, to imply that education, experience, and examination are irrelevant in the pursuit of safe practices in interior design or, more basically, that safe practices in interior design are a legitimate concern.

On behalf of their untrained decorator clients, the Institute of Justice is attempting to discredit professional standing in the field of interior design by equating all practitioners, regardless of education or experience.  Most recently they are challenging legislation in both Texas and Florida.  Fortunately and admirably, the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners, who also supervises interior design and interior designers, indicated that their Board and lawyers intend to make a determined defense of the current Texas licensing requirements against the lawsuit brought by the so-called Institute for Justice.  The Texas board encourages other  state boards, who regulate various laws governing interior design, to make a spirited case against the claims of the Institute.

Our licensing requirements are not very old and are not really very well defined in many areas but they are important, nevertheless. Why is the so-called Institute for Justice so intent on breaking down those licensing barriers?  It’s because the people that they represent want professionals, namely you, out of their way.  Unless you're willing to be put back to where your job is picking out wallpaper and making up color boards it is advisable to continue fighting the efforts of their decorator clients, who strive to overturn any establishment of professional standards.

To put the legislation of the practice of interior design in perspective, it is worthwhile to consider the circumstances that originally brought about the present licensing laws for architects and for engineers. Originally, draftsmen in lumber yards and sales people for other suppliers of building materials and procedures were all doing architecture.   Eventually architects who had formal education and studio training were able to convince legislatures to recognize their superior qualifications by providing license protection.

Laws protecting the profession of architecture and engineering are by no means taken lightly.  Just observe the legal arguments that define the boundaries between architects and engineers that go on to this day between these two groups. Legislatures have defined education requirements, the amount of supervised experience under a licensed professional, number of continuing education credits, approval process of plans, and code compliance issues. Why did these organizations pursue such legislation?  For two reasons, the protection of the public AND to keep their territories intact. Interior designers should do the same in their own particular areas.

Keep in mind also, there are a lot of architects in the field who want all the interior design tasks added to their area of work and who are willing to hire young interior design graduates at low wages to do the work back at the office while they present it to the public.   Successfully adding interior design to the architect’s restricted scope of work would leave presently licensed interior designers little choice but to work for architects.
 
You took the time and efforts to finish school.  You were willing to work under someone more experienced until you had sufficient training. You studied and passed the NCIDQ and kept up with CEUs. Let's protect what we have and continue to pursue further legal protection.  Let's not let people who are unwilling to undergo the required academic training, experience, and specified examinations diminish the perceived value of our qualifications and professionalism.  Let’s actively oppose the efforts of the Institute of Justice by continuing to educate our clients, legislators, and the general public on the value of professional interior designers and design.

Diane Al Shihabi, IDCW President
Gene Potente, IDCW Past President

Feed Your Soul

Posted: 12/18/07

In the beginning I stared at the pale, unfinished wood and wondered at the possibilities before me.  There was pressure to be better than all the rest; to make people want to bid on the object I would create.  In years past, people had taken a simple, raw wooden bowl and turned it into magnificent pieces of art.

Last year Jennifer Simley, assistant director of design at Forrer Business Interiors, turned her bowl upside down and strung 200 hand-folded paper cranes from it to create a mobile.  The wood was left unfinished and used brightly colored origami paper.  The effect was a multitude of color and pattern suspended in mid-air by seemingly invisible wire.

“It was important to me to create something that was completely different than any other piece submitted,” she said. 

The more unique each piece is, the more willing someone may be to place a bid on it.

The Feed Your Soul event is an annual silent auction, featuring one of a kind bowls and artwork created by artists in the Milwaukee area.  Most participants in the auction are architects, interior designers, and artists of other media, who belong to the organizations that sponsor the event.

“I think it inspires the artists in the design industry to think outside of the box with an object we all use and see daily,” said Shannon Cooper, interior designer at MSI General Corporation.  “The event encourages and inspires creativity and awareness in designers.”

Feed Your Soul began in 2004 when Ann Marie Wittig, who was then the president of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Interior Design, asked her members to organize a food drive.

“I knew by attending a fundraiser, that organizations such as Second Harvest can make their money go much further than if people provide food,” said Libby Castro, one of the founding members of the Feed Your Soul committee.  “I told Ann Marie that I was not interested in doing a food drive, but I would get a committee together and organize a fundraiser.”

The money bid at the auction each year goes to America’s Second Harvest of Wisconsin and every dollar raised equals five meals for one family.

America’s Second Harvest of Wisconsin is an organization that distributes food to meal programs, food pantries and nonprofit organizations in the state of Wisconsin.  In times of great need, America’s Second Harvest of Wisconsin will donate to other states.  This was the case during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The first year the event was held, $12,000 was raised.  The second year $19,000 was raised and the third year $31,000.  This year the committee raised $25,000 prior to the event from outside donations and sponsors.

The founding sponsors for the event have been consistent over the last four years: the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Interior Design, BigMPG Design Marketing, the International Interior Design Association and a local company—Flux Design.  Each year the list of sponsors grows, many companies and individuals from the design/art industry want to donate because it is not only charitable, but great publicity for them.

“To both the design industry and the community it allows us to give back by utilizing our many talents. It is fun and inspiring, all the while raising money for an organization that does great things,” said Castro.

Intent upon creating something functional and yet beautiful, I took my time with the project.  There were random trips to the pet store for supplies.  I did a lot of waiting for the dark chocolate stain and polyurethane finish to dry on my bowl.

The experience made me feel like I was using my talents to give back to the community.  As an artist, it is easy to question what good my creativity is in a world in such desperate need of help.  This auction really does give all of us in the art and design industry a chance to do something more than just create.

“I like that it is not daunting, we don’t depress people with hard to hear facts, but we do not ignore its importance either,” said Castro. “We make a difference and we make a difference in our own lives by filling it with art.”

I walked into Flux Design on November 9, 2007 filled with anticipation.  Flux Design is a company that specializes in commercial and residential design projects as well as metal, glass, concrete, plastic and woodwork.  Due to the nature of their work, the company has a large warehouse near the East side of Milwaukee that was shut down for three days in order to prepare and host this event.  Flux Design is generous enough to do it free of charge and it is why the Feed Your Soul event continues to be held at its facility each year.

I took my name badge and entered into the gallery area.  The first thing I saw was a large silver bug.  The body of the bug was made from the wooden bowl, now painted silver and accented with metal wire.  The feet, face and other body parts were made from different sized metal pieces welded together.  It was obviously the detailed work of one of the employees of Flux Design, who are known for their amazing metal sculptures.  The creature before me must have been about three feet long and two feet high.  I knew right away that this bowl would sell for a lot of money.

“My favorite bowl was the one that raised the most money ever,” said Heather Balistrieri, interior designer at Zimmerman Architectural Studios and co-chair of the committee in 2005 and 2006.  The sculpture looked like a cracked walnut with the wooden bowl as the interior and shiny metal as the outer shell.  It sold for $1,300 and was made by a Flux employee named Jesse Meyer.  Balistrieri explained that most bowls sell for anywhere from $100 to $300.

I walked through the warehouses and noticed my bowl; the dark brown wood stood out against the golden maple of the table it sat on.  The bowl was filled with multicolored pebbles and there was a stream of water flowing out of the top of the pile of rocks and gently down over the different sized stones.

I looked at the bids written on the sheet of paper in front of it and after only an hour the amount was already up to $50!

Next to my bowl was a small table lamp.  The lamp shade was made from the wooden bowl turned upside down and stained a dark brown color.  The base was made from flat square pieces of clear acrylic stacked on top of one another.  The light filtered down through all the clear plastic, creating a glowing affect.

Nearby was a bonsai tree made from intricate metalwork.  The leaves of the tree were pieces of the wooden bowl.  They were sanded, polished and carved to look like real foliage.  The wood was finished with a clear varnish.

People strolled through the space, observing the bowls.  Most of them were fashionably dressed, befitting of someone in the design industry.  Many observers stationed themselves near the tables to protect their bids, while others mingled with their peers.

There was a separate gallery of two dimensional art where I spotted Castro.  Balistrieri was not far behind her.  I thanked them both for speaking with me about the event.  Castro gave me a hug and encouraged me to participate again next year.  This personal interaction showed me that the warmth and enthusiasm that came through in her interview was a part of her personality.

In the two dimensional gallery break dancers performed for the crowd.  The lighting was low, and the music was club-like thanks to the hired DJ.

Food was served in the sponsor room, so people could peruse the many names of sponsors mounted on the wall while eating a beef skewer or mini black bean burger with guacamole. In the back of the warehouse’s storage area there was a free wine bar, and throughout the facility there were other beverage stations serving beer and mixed drinks.

“It has become one of THE events to go to,” said Balistrieri.  “It has really brought us together to meet and greet and socialize, but it’s all going to a good cause.”

By the end of the night my bowl had sold for $120 and I was extremely pleased.  Because it was my first time participating, I did not have such high hopes.  I was intimidated by other artists and unsure if anyone would be receptive to my art.

“I decided to participate to satisfy my internal need to contribute,” said Cooper.  “Art is subjective.  Someone, somewhere will love my piece.”   
And she was right.

“If we had keen vision and a feeling of all ordinary human life, it would be like hearing the grass grow and the squirrels heart beat and we should die of that roar which lies on the other side of silence,” was written in delicate brown letters against the natural backdrop of the raw wood of the bowl. 
The simplicity of the design and the importance of George Elliot’s words appealed to many that night.  Cooper’s bowl sold for $120 as well. 

I am proud of the industry I belong to for what it can create, how it can inspire and what we as artists can do for the community with our talents.  This year the Feed Your Soul Event raised over $45,000.  Next year I anticipate that number will be even higher, and I plan to be there to see it happen.

Fine Furnishings Show Oct 29th-30th, 2007

By Wendy Schaffer
Posted: 11/19/07

On September 29th and 30th, the Second Annual Fine Furnishings Show was held at the Midwest Express Convention Center in Downtown Milwaukee.  The show featured artisans of the finest handcrafted furniture, decorative accessories, fine craft and art.

Two designers from our Chapter, Nancy Miller, Allied Member ASID of Form & Function and Wendy Schaffer, ASID of Welcome Home Interior Design, created room settings filled with a variety of furniture and accessories from this year’s exhibitors.

The primary intent of the room settings was to showcase the value and expertise of professional interior designers from ASID and represent, first hand, how all the wonderful pieces from the show could be put together.

Check out the show website at www.finefurnishingsshow.com for information on both this year’s and next year’s events.  If you need additional information or may be interested in participating in future shows, contact Karla Little at klittle@finefurnishingsshow.com.

The show was challenging in that it was a “design-by-picture-only” process, but the experience with the craftsmen and women was worth any uncertainty of the final outcome.  What a wonderful group of talented people providing unique one-of-a-kind products.

A great resource for one and all!

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