Erica Brooks and Tung Nguyen were named winners of the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library’s interior design competition. The scholarships will be awarded during High Point Market.
Erica Brooks
Entrants were asked to create an art gallery on two floors with a third floor residential space. Twenty-three students from 10 colleges applied, and entries were judged by designers Christi Spangle, Brianne Verstat, Marilyn Russell and June Anderson.
Brooks, a senior at Virginia Tech, took first place for her entry LineUp. Her project was inspired by the work of artist Julien Bouillion and featured strong movement, distinctive textures and an edgy appearance. The $5,000 scholarship will help her to continue her studies in interior design. Nguyen, of Winthrop University received second place and a $1,500 scholarship.
“It is very imaginative and smart to use a live existing artist in the presentation,” Anderson said of Brooks’ decision to use Boullion’s art. “The design produced a sales and marketing environment for the art.”
Along with the scholarships, both Brooks and Nguyen received memberships in the American Society of Furniture Designers and the American Society of Interior Designers. Their schools will each receive $1,000 to be used in academic programs.
Brook's project, LineUp. Photos courtesy of Bienenstock Furniture Library.
“The intention of these scholarships is to encourage and inspire the best and most creative minds and help develop their talents,” said Russell Bienenstock, president of the library board. His grandmother and founder of the library, Sandy Bienenstock founded the scholarship to invest in the education and future of the furniture industry.
