UK Students Take Top Honors at National Furniture Competition

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 17, 2014) – Three University of Kentucky students took home top honors at "Design Emphasis" Student Furniture Design Competition, a prestigious annual furniture design competition that features furniture pieces designed and built by students from colleges and universities throughout the U.S., presented in conjunction with the International Woodworking Fair (IWF). The winners were among six UK College of Design finalists selected for the juried exhibition held the week of Aug. 18, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Architecture graduate student Mark Manczyk, of Taylor Mill, Kentucky, won first place in the "Design Emphasis" accent tables category. Sarah Mohr, a 2014 graduate with a master's degree in architecture from Smithton, Illinois, took first in seating. In addition to the two wins, Adam Eaton, a 2014 graduate with a master's degree in architecture from Bellbrook, Ohio, received honorable mention recognition at the show.

Furniture presented by UK students at "Design Emphasis" is on display for the community to see through Sept. 22, on the second floor of Pence Hall.

"Design Emphasis" brings students from design schools across the nation to exhibit their work at IWF for judging by a panel of professionals made up of furniture industry designers, manufacturing and retail executives, and members of the trade press who have design-oriented backgrounds. The competition recognizes and rewards designs in five categories: seating, case goods, commercial/office/hospitality furniture, accent furniture/accent tables, and design creativity.

Over $10,000 in prize money was awarded to the winners and presented in a ceremony following the judging of "Design Emphasis." As well as being involved in the competition, the students were also able to attend the trade show itself, allowing them to make valuable career contacts and share ideas with fellow design students from across the country.

Other UK students competing in "Design Emphasis" were:

· Nikki Challita, architecture graduate student from Bellbrook;

· Adam Logsdon, architecture graduate student from Louisville, Kentucky; and

· Don Shepperson, architecture senior from Lancaster, Kentucky.

All six students in the competition were in the spring 2014 furniture studio taught by Professor Leonard Wujcik.

IWF is a trade show known around the world for offering new and innovative products and solutions for furniture manufacturing, cabinetry, architectural woodworking, material processing and other related industries, as well as bringing industry professionals from around the globe together for great networking opportunities. At IWF, visitors can view the newest products and trends and learn from those who have already troubleshot the solutions. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu