Rising Stars Celebrated at Night of Luminaries

November 24, 2024  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

The Luminary Award honors a home furnishings industry icon or company whose innovative work has significantly enhanced or promoted the home, design or décor industry and whose service to the industry and their community enriches the lives of others.

Rising Stars are honored as the most outstanding undergraduate student from their college or university majoring in interior design, furniture design, industrial design, interior architecture or visual merchandising.

Rising Stars for 2024 are:

Ever Anderson, University of NC at Greensboro

Gracie Bowers, Central Piedmont Community College

Emily Cazarez, Salem College

Liza Edgar, Anderson University

Cheryl Ellington, Wake Technical Community College

Charlene Garcia, Randolph Community College

Ariana Gomez, Appalachian State University

Mary Kate Hewitt, High Point University

Paige Hoyt, High Point University

Ryan Humphreys, Queens University

Kirandeep Khera, East Carolina University

Gennarose McDermed, North Carolina State University

Mia Patterson, Winthrop University

Scarlett Robinson, Forsyth Technical Community College

Orko Sen, Appalachian State University

Sarah Shelton, Meredith College

Chloe Spieler, Savannah College of Art and Design

Each Rising Star displayed a recent project illustrating their design vision and skills. The projects were exhibited during a special cocktail reception honoring the students and throughout the evening.

Carolinas IFDA president, Ellen Gefen, noted, “One of the most valuable aspects of our annual event is the opportunity for industry leaders to meet with our Rising Stars, see their work, and explore options for internships, mentoring or further networking as these seniors prepare to join our industry.” Representatives from many top manufacturers and design firms were on hand to interact with the student honorees.

Earlier in the day, the Rising Stars were treated to a private tour of The Bienenstock Furniture Library, the largest furniture specialty library in the world. Founded by Sandy and Bernice Bienenstock, the library’s home on North Main Street is on the national register of historical places. Sandy Bienenstock was the owner of Furniture World and had an immense passion for all things related to the home furnishings industry. He and Bernice founded the Furniture Library Association in 1970.

Today, the more than 5,000 holdings include contemporary acquisitions, and a rare books collection of international volumes published since 1640. Open to the public, the Furniture Library is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge of furniture and design for interested individuals, industry professionals, scholars and students.  Following their visit to the Library, the Rising Stars were given a personal tour of the Hooker Furnishings showroom in the iconic Showplace building in downtown High Point. The showroom hosted the evening’s festivities.

Proceeds from the event support the Carolinas Chapter IFDA’s educational programs.

The Night of Luminaries and Rising Stars is sponsored by Century Furniture, Davis Furniture, Thayer Coggin, Gefen Productions, Hooker Furnishings, Libby Langdon Interiors, IFDA Educational Foundation, Nancy High, and Andmore.