Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library offers two $10,000 scholarships

Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, April 2, 2012

HIGH POINT — The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library here is introducing two design competition-based $10,000 scholarships for college students interested in interior and furniture design.

Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library intern Meghan Wade, left, from High Point University, works with library director Karla Webb. The library has a long history of student outreach and since 1984 has awarded more than $350,000 in scholarships.

Co-sponsors include the American Society of Furniture Designers for the furniture design portion and the American Society of Interior Designers for the design competition.

The 2012-2013 scholarships are open to any junior, senior or graduate student enrolled in an accredited college design program in the United States. Scholarship information is being sent to 230 colleges and universities with furniture and interior design programs.

Applicants for the furniture portion will design a chair. Among other qualities, chairs will be judged visual appeal and suitability for mass production and marketing to residential or contract trades.

The library and ASFD will mentor the winner and promote the design to a furniture maker for prototyping. The winner will also attend and participate in the April 2013 High Point Market and will receive a free-one year ASFD membership.

Applicants for the interior design competition will complete a residential and commercial project to a set of specifications.

The winner will benefit from the experience of working with an established interior design firm as an intern and attend and participate in the April 2013 High Point Furniture Market. The winner will also be mentored by seasoned industry designers and receive a free one-year ASID student membership.

Each winner will also receive a copy of Jim Postell's book, "Furniture Design." Two honorable mentions also will be chosen for each category.

The Bienenstock library website at http://www.furniturelibrary.com
will be updated with information for qualifying accredited schools and with competition details.

"It was Mr. (Sandy) Bienenstock's longstanding desire to invest in the education and future of the furniture industry," Paul Brayton, a library board member and chairman of its scholarship committee, said in a press release. "Our intention is to encourage and inspire the best and most creative minds and help them to develop their talents."