ITMA Names 2015 Virginia Jackson Design Competition Winners
Furniture World News Desk on
5/15/2015
Winners have been named in the annual Virginia Jackson Design Competition, sponsored by the Educational Foundation of the International Textile Market Association, producer of the semi-annual Showtime® fabric show.
The Virginia Jackson Design Awards recognize outstanding textile design students in three categories – jacquard, dobby and print.
This year, the 55 entries from seven schools, were judged on aesthetic form, ability to be manufactured and applicability to furniture products, with 10 designs selected as winners. The top designs will be displayed in Suites at Market Square throughout Summer Showtime, May 31 – June 3.
“A big part of the mission of ITMA’s Educational Foundation is to encourage creative individuals to enter the home furnishings textile field, and we are always thrilled by the excellence of the entries we receive,” says Catherine Morsell, Executive Director.
The winners in each category are:
JACQUARD
- 1st Place – Zhiwen Wang, Philadelphia University
- 2nd Place (tie) – Minshu Liang, Philadelphia University
- 2nd Place (tie) – Peyton North, Rhode Island School of Design
- Honorable Mention – Kailey Smith, Philadelphia University
DOBBY
- 1st Place – Lisa Anne Irwin, Rhode Island School of Design
- 2nd Place – Mary Krochmalny, Rhode Island School of Design
- Honorable Mention – Adele Helmers, Rhode Island School of Design
PRINT
- 1st Place – Laura Cherry, Philadelphia University
- 2nd Place – Yan Zeng, Philadelphia University
- Honorable Mention – Ashlyn Evans, East Carolina University
Each winner receives a monetary prize, and each first-place winner’s school also receives $1,000 donated to its textile design department.
In addition, the first-place winners in each category are flown expenses-paid to Showtime to be honored and meet with members of the industry during an evening social event. The students are encouraged to bring their portfolios with them.
The seven schools that participated in the competition included East Carolina University, Michigan State University, New Brunswick College of Craft & Design, North Carolina State University, Philadelphia University, Rhode Island School of Design, and University of Georgia.
Judges for this year's competition were Wesley Mancini, Wesley Mancini Ltd.; Kim Grimsley, Kim Grimsley Designs; Jeanie Viars, Valdese Weavers; Todd Nifong, Altizer & Co. Decorative Textiles; Sara Gray; Sara Gray Design.
About the International Textile Market Association: The International Textile Market Association (ITMA), www.Showtime-Market.com, is the producer and organizer of SHOWTIME® in High Point, N.C. - The largest market for textiles, leathers, and trimmings in the United States; a pre-eminent event, showcasing the latest and greatest in new product and color trends.