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! 

 

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

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

Lets Spend Again!

Will this recession ever end? Every industry has been hit hard by the turn in economic events over the past few years.  We have seen beloved boutiques, stores, restaurants and corporations struggle and in turn shoppers have reigned in what they buy- whether they have money or not.

After what seems like an extremely long time reports are showing an increase in shoppers and spending again! “New figures- showing an improving job market, rising factory output and increased retail sales are suggesting consumers are no longer restricting their budgets to food and medicine”. New York Times

The mood in the air has changed too- As if overnight the air of caution and worry has gone to optimism and even excitement for consumers and retailers alike.  A study by SpendingPulse/MasterCard Advisors showed the sales of Luxury Goods were up 22.7% from March 2009 and Home Furnishings, Furniture sales we up 13.8%.  This is good news considering “consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of all economic activity in the United States” New York Times

This is all good news- consumers are spending money and there are good vibes in the air!