The Hand-Made Print

Eleven artists of One Horse Press have organized a group exhibition: THE HAND-MADE PRINT: A contemporary take on the (non)traditional,  in the Chicago Artists Coalition sponsored gallery space, Suite 1573  in the Design Center at The Merchandise Mart.

Featured work includes that of Julian Cox, which are figurative abstractions.  He crops the figure in order to create dramatic figurative landscapes. Other notable work includes the prints of Grace Kroll who renders Chicago landmarks in high contrast due to her proficiency with aquatint techniques. Both Sarah Kaiser and Stephanie Toral address birds as metaphors. Kaiser works with chine collé and blends text with imagery in a strong, painterly manner. Toral creates prints and assemblages that incorporate nests, eggs, and other found objects in shadow boxes. Yvi Russell experiments with circular compositions that incorporate a subtle, whispering line.  Jessica Q. Lucas makes striking and crisp woodcuts. Then there is Bob Fields, who experiments with embossing diverse materials. He has a purist approach to printmaking in that he focuses solely on texture and eliminates the need for ink.

The exhibition has an educational component featuring descriptions of both traditional and experimental printmaking techniques. The opening reception will be Friday evening, July 9, from 4:00 to 8 P.M. Hours of the gallery: Fridays: 9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Exhibition closes Friday, August 6.

Post NeoCon News!

 

 

After much hard work and meticulous planning, Fine Design at NeoCon 2010 has ended and was a great success!  Three days were packed with educational seminars, showroom events and parties, as well as product debuts that covered a broad range of styles, techniques and features.  Design Center halls were bustling as attendees visited the Design Center’s permanent showrooms to explore the latest and greatest offerings and events! 

 All of the Fine Design seminars, held in the Mart’s fifteen-twenty presentation suite, were CEU accredited; many sold out with standing room only.  The CEU sessions were presented with the idea that as the design industry continues to become more and more competitive, designers and architects have the opportunity to continue their education and learn more about design as well as their clients, and become a leader in the industry. 

 Many renowned speakers came to discuss various aspects of the design world, such as how to stand out as a designer by using innovating and unique materials, new eco-friendly trends, how to value and charge for design services, and many more topics. 

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 “Going Green” was a very popular theme throughout the 16 CEU Seminars. Sustainability respects the environment, in addition to having aesthetic beauty and comfort, and supporting abundance.  We also learned it also doesn’t necessarily have to be more expensive! 

Fine Design Keynote Speaker, Margaret McCurry, gave a captivating presentation with before and after pictures of her work around the country, discussing her style and technique of symmetry and aesthetics while still providing an eco-friendly way of life. Her photos explored her work with modern houses that demonstrate her love of vernacular architecture and fondness for classicism. 

 Fine Design at NeoCon proved to be the place to meet and greet, learn event more about design, and become inspired by endless creativity and innovation! 

 

Just around the corner…NeoCon 2010

With the Merchandise Mart getting ready for the upcoming NeoCon World’s Trade Fair the building is buzzing with excitement and promises to be an amazing show. The Residential portion, Fine Design @ NeoCon, is packed full of amazing events, product debuts and presentations!

This is event is one not to miss for the year! Explore the best in home furnishings during Fine Design at NeoCon^{® .} The Design Center’s permanent showrooms on floors 6, 15, 16, 17 and 18 as well as LuxeHome^® boutiques on the ground floor, boast nearly 200 stunning showrooms, dedicated to residential furnishing resources. Visit the Design Center and LuxeHome during NeoCon^® for educational seminars, events, networking and product debuts.

 For details on the following features offered during Fine Design at NeoCon- including complete seminar descriptions, speaker information or to pre-register for CEU presentations- please visit the Fine Design page at NeoCon.com

Details: 

Keynote: Margaret McCurry presenting Inside Out  [KE3]

CEU Presentations: 14 different educational seminars

Featured Showroom Events: Receptions, luncheons, book signings…

Showroom Open Houses: View all new residential products

http://www.merchandisemartdesigncenter.com/trade/fine_design.html

Find-A-Designer Day by Traditional Home

The much-anticipated first DreamHome and Traditional Home Magazine event was a great success! On Thursday, May 20, Traditional Home editor Jenny Bradley kicked off the day with a presentation to designers at the Kenneth Ludwig Home Furnishings Showroom in Suite 1510.  Jenny gave tips and hints to a standing room only group of Interior Designers on how to get published in a national publication.  Following the presentation were yummy bites and time for designers to speak one-on-one with Jenny and Ken.

Wrapping up “Find-A-Designer” day was a panel presentation by Jenny Bradley with Designers Melanie Elston, Becky Yager and DreamHome Foyer Designer Summer Thornton. The presentation discussed how to work with a designer, how to make the most out of meeting with a designer, and the superior product offering when shopping the Design Center at The Merchandise Mart.

After the presentation, ”Speed Dating with a Designer” began. The public was able to meet with a designer for 7 minutes to ask design questions and learn about their style and portfolio in hopes they would “Find-A-Designer” that fit their needs! It was a great concept and a fun time for all!

Afterwards everyone mingled throughout the DreamHome where DreamHome Designers answered questions about their room and Design inspirations!

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for more pictures visit http://www.facebook.com/merchandisemartdesigncenter

Again and Again- Closing Reception

Again and Again:  An Exploration in Pattern and Sequence presents a group of artists composing time, space, and sequence through their practices.  By incorporating the unique architecture of the exhibition space, the artists construct a directional path that creates dialog between their pieces and the viewers.

Four artists were selected for a CAC (Chicago Artists’ Coalition) sponsored exhibition; Jiwon Yoon, Angela Bryant, HUR, and Robin Dluzen.  Again and Again is on display Now through May 29. 

Don’t miss the Closing Reception, Thursday, May 27th from 4-7pm.  The exhibition is taking place in the Merchandise Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, Suite 1563.

Jiwon Yoon engages in mark-making that is likened unto ritual.  Again and again she places layers of paint to build up and off the canvas.  Angela Bryant creates patterns through her shaped fabric installations that invite the viewer to be embraced by their color and scale.   HUR diligently paints the same canvas systematically morning after morning, saves the water,and uses it to paint at the next session.  Robin Dluzen takes one image and recreates it over and with the assistance of different media each time.

If  custom fine art is something you are looking for be sure to visit the gallery. Regular gallery hours: Fridays 4pm-7pm, Saturdays 1pm-5pm, and by appointment

A Chicago Artists’ Coalition (CAC) selected and sponsored exhibition.

Curated by MA Candidate Fang-Tze Hsu and the artists.

Contact: Angela@AbryantGallery.com  or call 312.590.5573 for additional information.

The Social Media Revolution…and Your Business

The internet has revolutionized the way we do business. Now social media is transforming the way we communicate…Facebook, Twitter, Blogs  and more, realtime information means easier means of communication. It also means being more creative about how we communicate about our business.

Designers who implement social media are growing their business and changing interior design for the future. Join Kravet and Lee Jofa on May 19th  for a presentation that will provides some quick tips and thoughts about how to engage social media to the best advantage of your business and your brand.

Beth Greene, VP of Communications for Kravet and Lee Jofa, will present the 101′s of Social Media and moderate a panel discussion featuring three influential voices in the local design community.

For a forward thinking and informational presentation on social media and the great tips to benefit your business dont miss this presentation. May 19th at 2:30 pm in The Design Center, Suite 1520.

Questions or to RSVP? Contact Pamela Bruckbauer at Pamela.Bruckbauer@kravet.com

Traditional Home’s Find-A-Designer Day!

Have a design dilemma and in need of some great design guidance for the job?

Don’t miss Traditional Home’s Find-A-Designer Day, Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 5:30-8pm on the first floor of the Merchandise Mart.

Join Traditional Home editor Jenny Bradley as she discusses how to work with a designer and the superior product offering when shopping the Design Center at The Merchandise Mart.

Speed-Date with Designers and enjoy wine & lite bites in the newly opened 2010 DreamHome!

Please R.S.V.P. at 312.527.4711 or email martdesigncenter@mmart.com

Dont’ worry Designers we didn’t forget about you!

Stop in to Kenneth Ludwig Home Furnishings,  for a special presentation by Jenny Bradley entitled “How To Get Published”. 

Come hear the inside scoop from Traditional Home Editor Jenny Bradley. She will tell you exactly what it takes to get published and how to best promote yourself to the media at large.

Refreshments will be served.

Thursday, May 20, 2010 | 2PM

Location: Kenneth Ludwig Home Furnishings, Suite 1510

Please R.S.V.P. to (312) 467 – 0530 or email mimi@kennethludwig.com

Don’t Miss Spring Spring Sample Sale!

 

Sample Sale is back this Spring and open to the public for two days only!

On May 14-15 2010, snag great samples at amazing discounts! Samples will be available in participating showrooms on floors 15, 16, 17 & 18.

Visit martdesigncenter.com/samplesale for a full list of participating showrooms and don’t forget to stop by Suite 1574 for a complimentary Design Consultation with a Designer Portfolio Member and have all your design questions answered!

Sample Sale Hours: Friday, May 14, 9a-5p   I  Saturday, May 15, 10a-4p

Design Consultation Hours: Friday & Saturday 11a-3p, Suite 1574

Refinish Your Favorites

 

Do you or client have a piece of furniture you simply cannot get rid of, but it is scratched or chipped and thats just not the look you are going for?

 Art Self, furniture repair professional, will be demonstrating the “art” or caring for your fine furniture. The presentation will take place Thursday, April 29th in the Grange Showroom, Suite 1825.  You can learn how to remove the dings, scratches and chips that may occur due to time and daily use, and make old pieces new again!

Event partner and fine French skin care line, Votre Vu will also be on hand to demonstrate some “facial refinishing techniques” of their own.  

Be sure to stop by for some great gift bags that will be available for the first 25 attendees.  Sip tasty Snapdragon Beauty Beverage as you learn the art of Refinishing your Favorite Surfaces.

 Enter for a chance to win a fabulous French prize!

 Thursday April 29, 1pm-2:30pm

Grange Showroom, Suite 1825

RSVP to 312.527.1919

Raymond Waites Debuts his Couture Private Label Furniture Collection

If you are looking for that special something for your client or home- be sure to visit Laneventure, Suite 1544 on Tuesday, April 27th as Raymond Waites debuts his couture private label furniture collection.

Raymond Waites Couture Private Label line allows designers and consumers to benefit from Raymond’s renowned talents as both a designer and fabric visionary. The Raymond Waites Private Label line is simple in that Raymond’s applications of fabric to frame can be purchased as shown, as well as tailoring the product to suit their own design needs with no additional costs or fees.

The program will begin at 11 a.m. in the showroom and will include a presentation by Raymond Waites, followed by lunch. Designers are also encouraged to schedule a one-on-one appointment with Raymond to discuss their ideas and inspirations.

This event is one you must be sure NOT to miss out on! RSVP today to 312-755-9163 as seating is limited