The 12th annual Night of Luminaries and Rising Stars, presented by the Carolinas Chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA), honors a company, organization or individual who represents the pinnacle of achievement in the home, design, and décor industries, and also celebrates the most outstanding creative talent from colleges and universities across the Carolinas and Georgia. Seventeen students were awarded the Rising Star designation and High Point’s own Bienenstock Furniture Library was presented as the 2024 Luminary Award recipient.
The Luminary Award honors a home furnishings industry icon or company whose innovative work has significantly enhanced or promoted the home, design or décor industry and whose service to the industry and their community enriches the lives of others.
Rising Stars are honored as the most outstanding undergraduate student from their college or university majoring in interior design, furniture design, industrial design, interior architecture or visual merchandising.
Rising Stars for 2024 are:
- Ever Anderson, University of NC at Greensboro
- Gracie Bowers, Central Piedmont Community College
- Emily Cazarez, Salem College
- Liza Edgar, Anderson University
- Cheryl Ellington, Wake Technical Community College
- Charlene Garcia, Randolph Community College
- Ariana Gomez, Appalachian State University
- Mary Kate Hewitt, High Point University
- Paige Hoyt, High Point University
- Ryan Humphreys, Queens University
- Kirandeep Khera, East Carolina University
- Gennarose McDermed, North Carolina State University
- Mia Patterson, Winthrop University
- Scarlett Robinson, Forsyth Technical Community College
- Orko Sen, Appalachian State University
- Sarah Shelton, Meredith College
- Chloe Spieler, Savannah College of Art and Design
Each Rising Star displayed a recent project illustrating their design vision and skills. The projects were exhibited during a special cocktail reception honoring the students and throughout the evening.Carolinas IFDA president, Ellen Gefen, noted, “One of the most valuable aspects of our annual event is the opportunity for industry leaders to meet with our Rising Stars, see their work, and explore options for internships, mentoring or further networking as these seniors prepare to join our industry.” Representatives from many top manufacturers and design firms were on hand to interact with the student honorees.
Earlier in the day, the Rising Stars were treated to a private tour of The Bienenstock Furniture Library, the largest furniture specialty library in the world. Founded by Sandy and Bernice Bienenstock, the library’s home on North Main Street is on the national register of historical places. Sandy Bienenstock was the owner of Furniture World and had an immense passion for all things related to the home furnishings industry. He and Bernice founded the Furniture Library Association in 1970. Today, the more than 5,000 holdings include contemporary acquisitions and a rare books collection of international volumes published since 1640. Open to the public, the Furniture Library is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge of furniture and design for interested individuals, industry professionals, scholars and students. Following their visit to the Library, the Rising Stars were given a personal tour of the Hooker Furnishings showroom in the iconic Showplace building in downtown High Point. The showroom hosted the evening’s festivities.
Proceeds from the event support the Carolinas Chapter IFDA’s educational programs.
The Night of Luminaries and Rising Stars is sponsored by Century Furniture, Davis Furniture, Thayer Coggin, Gefen Productions, Hooker Furnishings, Libby Langdon Interiors, IFDA Educational Foundation, Nancy High, and Andmore.
