"Brooklyn Designs," a three-day-long
showcase for the borough’s designers and manufacturers of furniture,
lighting, linens, rugs and decorative accessories for the home,
office and garden, returns to DUMBO on April 30.
And if you liked last year’s event, the first-ever "Brooklyn
Designs" show, event organizer Karen Auster says you’ll
have 50 percent more reasons to be thrilled this year.
"Last year we had one space and 30 exhibitors," said
Auster. "This year we have two spaces and 46 exhibitors."
A jury of design editors whittled down the number of exhibitors
from 100 applicants to 46, but the show still needed to expand
into a second venue.
"We were so pleased with the tremendous quality of all the
submissions," said Kenneth Adams, president of the Brooklyn
Chamber of Commerce, in a statement. "Many of last year’s
exhibitors will be returning with their latest products, and
they will be joined by an outstanding group of newcomers."
The show will be held at St. Ann’s Warehouse at 38 Water St.
and the Brooklyn Designs Gallery (the former Gale Gates et. al
gallery) at 37 Main St., said Auster.
"The two locations are like bookends of Water Street. It
will almost be like a block party," said Auster. The new
gallery is "a glamorous space," that was donated by
Two Trees Management, she explained.
Among the newcomers to "Brooklyn Designs" is stained
glass artist Nancy Nicholson. While she may use traditional techniques,
this artist’s subject matter is not. Nicholson’s compositions
depict urban landscapes, filled with buildings. She works out
of her Brooklyn studio, creating one-of-a-kind and limited-edition
commissioned works.
Returning exhibitors include Azy Schecter of Kea Carpets and
Kilims; the glamorous lighting of Zia-Priven Designs; and furniture
designers Eric Manigian, Evan Hughes, Michael Puryear and Scott
Braun.
"Brooklyn Designs," which is presented by the Brooklyn
Chamber of Commerce, also includes a slew of free – with admission
– design seminars that will be of interest for anyone interested
in everything from planned development projects in Brooklyn to
redesigning their kitchen to commissioning a piece of furniture.
Feature presentations on April 30 include a talk by Susan Lyons,
principal of E 3 Studio, on "Design Imitates Nature, Imitates
Art, Imitates Life, Imitates DesignSustainable Design" at
11 am; a talk by Cindy Allen, editor in chief of Interior Design
Magazine, on "Making It (Or Trying to) in the Design Industry"
at 2 pm; a talk by Michael Gabellini on "Living with Lightness:
The Creation of a Pure Aesthetic" at 4 pm; and Enrique Norton,
principal of TEN Arquitectos, will give a lecture about his firm’s
winning entry in the Brooklyn Public Library’s Visual and Performing
Arts Library competition at 6:30 pm.
On May 1, James Russell, Max Bond, Tom Hanharan and Matthew Urbanski
will participate in a panel discussion about "Brooklyn Waterfront
Development: Re-Connecting with the Harbor," at 10:30 am;
EXPO Design Center will give a presentation, "Design a Kitchen
that Looks as Great as it Cooks," at 1 pm; at 4 pm, The
Future Perfect 2004 Brooklyn Designs "Peoples Choice Award"
will be bestowed on a promising designer; and at 4:15 pm, Christopher
Coleman will talk on the topic, "Working with a Designer
for the First Time."
On May 2, Chris Kraig will address "Current and Future Trends
in Interiors," at noon; Marc Kristal, Evan Snyderman, Andrew
Bernheimer, Ruby Metzger and Sather Duke will participate in
a Dwell Magazine panel discussion on "Designing Brooklyn:
The Evolution," at 2 pm; and exhibiting members of Furniture
NY will participate in a panel discussion about "Commissioning
Work: Easier and More Affordable Than you Think," at 3:30
pm.
But what sets "Brooklyn Designs" apart from other,
similar shows in Manhattan is the people.
"It is so interesting to meet the people who build the furniture,"
said Auster. "This is not your average trade show. These
are the owners and the artists that the attendees are meeting,
not salespeople.
"We want to lure people to Brooklyn, because this is where
the great designers are."
"Brooklyn Designs 2004" takes place April 30, from
10 am to 8 pm; May 1, from 10 am to 7 pm; and May 2, from 10
am to 5 pm at St. Ann’s Warehouse, 38 Water St. and Brooklyn
Designs Gallery at 37 Main St in DUMBO. Tickets are $10 and are
available online at www.brooklyndesigns.net.
A free shuttle bus from Brooklyn Borough Hall. For more information
call (718) 875-1000 ext. 146.
