Weaving the Past and the Present:

101 Years of Interior Design at the University of Texas at Austin

Co-Curator, Project Leader, and Historian
October 2013

Work summary:
Researched the history of UTs interior design program and identified patterns, trends, and significant
events and alumni
Planned and coordinated a symposium and month-long exhibit
Organized weekend events including opening parties, a cocktail reception, banquet, symposium, and
closing breakfast
Developed branding and identity schemes for the symposium, exhibit, and other events
Researched the history of UTs interior design program and identified patterns, trends, and significant
events and alumni
Identified and contacted corporate and alumni donors
Supervised and coordinated a team of undergraduate and graduate workers
Wrote copy for materials sent to professional organizations, alumni, and potential donors

Weaving the Past and the Present Exhibition

Mebane Gallery - The University of Texas at Austin

The exhibition served as the

culmination of a year-long research
process during which I investigated
the history of one of the countrys
oldest and most respected interior
design programs. Despite UT
interior designs nearly 100-year
existence, the program lacked a
comprehensive historical narrative.
I worked with university archives
and alumni to locate materials
and identify significant themes
and individuals, beginning with the
programs founding in 1910.
This historical framework served as
the backdrop to the exhibit, which
also featured chairs and textiles
from each of the ten decades of the
programs history.
We consulted with Austin Art Services, who
created and installed the cardboard exhibit
design. Chairs were on loan from UTs Blanton
Museum and textiles were on loan from Knoll.

Symposium

The University of Texas at Austin

Saturdays symposium featured speakers and moderators
Dr. Nancy Kwallek, Head, Interior Design Program; Stephen
Elrod, VP of Design, Lee Jofa; Paul Makovsky, Editor of Metropolis magazine standing in for Karen Edwards, President,
KnollTextiles; Sina Pearson, Sina Pearson Textiles; Mickey
Riad, CFO, Fortuny Fabrics; Martina Starke, Head of Material
& Color, Material Technology, BMW; and Lynda Waggoner,
Director of Fallingwater, VP of the Western Pennsylvania
Conservancy. The banquet Saturday evening featured a keynote address by Paul Makovsky on the life of Florence Knoll
Bassett, originator of KnollTextiles, and how she revolutionized modern design.
A highlight of the symposium was the screening of the film
The Radiant Sun: Designer Ruth Adler Schnee, followed by a
question & answer session with Ruth Adler Schnee and her
grandson Jacob Schnee.
http://www.soa.utexas.edu/news/archive/20131107/

Weaving the Past and the Present was featured in the following:
Tribeza Magazine
Austin PBS Station KLRU
UTSOA website