March 12, 2013
"The Key to Design: Refine and Revise," a new exhibit to complement "Modern Design in the Valley" an exhibition currently on display at the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center that highlights nine local designers — including Knoll designers Harry Bertoia, Richard Schultz — opened on February 24, 2013.
"The Key to Design: Refine and Revise" includes the work of elementary to high school students who, prior to starting the project, took a tour of the Knoll Museum and facilities in East Greenville, Pennsylvania in the fall of 2012.
Knoll designer Robert DeFuccio offered guidance on the project and emphasized the importance of "analyzing and adjusting the designer's work until he or she has a successful piece. Knoll also donated textiles for the students' chairs.
"Fifth-graders explored Knoll chairs online with the classroom Smartboard and paged through Knoll books before coming up with a miniature chair design of their own, notes Town and Country writer Kelly Chandler.
3-D Design students at Upper Perkiomen High School designed life-sized chairs which ranged from "a model made entirely out of aluminum cans to an Egyptian-themed piece to a chair made out of candy including gummy bears, Spree, Jolly Ranchers and licorice with a sprinkle-laden seat."
"Modern Design in the Valley" opened at the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center on January 15, 2013. The exhibit highlights the global influence of nine designers that settled in Pennsylvania's Upper Perkiomen Valley, including Knoll designers Harry Bertoia, Richard Schultz, Don Albinson and Knoll founder Florence Knoll.
"The Key to Design: Refine and Revise" is open through April 14, 2013 as a sister exhibit to "Modern Design in the Valley, which closes on May 5, 2013. The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center is located in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania at 105 Seminary Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 4pm, Thursday from 9am to 9pm, Saturday from 10am to 3pm and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm.