Furniture Society heads to Boone, N.C.

The Furniture Society’s 2009 annual conference will be held June 10-13 at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. This year’s theme, "Industrious: The Design, Craft & Commerce of Furniture Making," is intended to connect the diverse history of furniture making.

While the society has focused strictly on programs involving handmade furniture from the art side for many years, it is now starting to embrace all types of furniture making, including production, says Lynn Szymanski, the studio furniture group’s interim executive director.

Conference organizers are currently developing educational panels that correlate with the production theme, which will involve a number of the surrounding businesses in the area. Other panels will focus on helping artists get their work recognized through marketing techniques.

Appalachian State has recently expanded its industrial design program to include concentrations in product and furniture design, according to program coordinator Kern Maass.

The society has about 1,000 members and the annual conferences typically draw about 350 attendees. Szymanski says about 400 members are expected to attend this conference because location is a vacation destination.

For information, visit www.furnituresociety.org