Carolinas IFDA Hosting "Walk for Design Education" in High Point

September 7, 2010  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on September 8, 2010

The Carolinas Chapter of the International Furnishings & Design Association will stage its second "Walk for Design Education" in High Point this month.

The event begins at 200 Steele on Saturday, Sept. 25. Registration starts at 9 a.m.

The top Walk fund raiser last year over all other IFDA chapters, Carolinas IFDA plans to contribute proceeds to the Ruth Clark Furniture Design Scholarship Fund and the Raymond Waites Design Competition Fund.

The national "Walk for Design Education" is sponsored by the IFDA Educational Foundation. IFDA Chapters across the country hold creative Walks during the year in museums, city gardens, nature trails or historic areas. The goal is to increase the award amounts of seven scholarships and four grants that IFDA/EF awards annually, helping them reach endowment levels.

The effort is supported by national partners: 3M, Benjamin Moore, Hunter Douglas, Market Square, Wood-Mode, E.J. Victor and the International Home Furnishings Center. Each walker will receive a free eco-friendly tote which will include printed materials from local and national partners.

"Design is a key element in all aspects of home furnishings, and we hope the High Point community as well as members of the industry will join the Carolinas Walk in support of those who need our help now more than ever," said National IFDA/EF Walk Chairman, Wilma Hammett FIFDA.

The Carolinas Walk route begins north on Hamilton, pausing at key showrooms, then stops at a High Point landmark, the big chest of drawers where participants will learn of its history starting with the first version built in 1926 as a home for the city's Chamber of Commerce. It was repainted several times and during WWII, the façade was inscribed with the names of 2,800 High Pointers serving in the armed forces. In 1951 it was sold to the Jaycees, and in the mid 1990s, designer Sidney Lenger undertook a major renovation of the chest with a shell carved facade recalling the 1700s. Lenger added socks to one drawer in recognition of the city's hosiery industry.

Walkers will then stroll south on Wrenn Street, past various showrooms and as they cross the bridge, note the High Point Depot, circa 1908, which marked the "high point" between Charlotte and Goldsboro. Also mentioned will be the original Tomlinson furniture factory built in 1902, which was refurbished and became Market Square. At Showplace West, the High Point Market Authority is hosting a refreshment stop.

The group will then stroll to the IHFC, where home furnishings markets were staged in the Main building built in 1921 except for the four years it was used by the government for offices during World War II. Then the walkers will stop at the John Coltrane statue and learn about this unique jazz musician who was born in Hamlet, N.C., but lived in High Point from infancy through high school.

The walkers will then return to 200 Steele, where a drawing for prizes will be held. For information on how to register for the Walk, or make a tax deductible contribution and become a Carolinas Partner, go to ifdaef.org.