Rising Star Students and The Bienenstock Furniture Library Honored by IFDA During Night of Luminaries and Rising Stars

The 12^th 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. 17 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.

About IFDA

 Founded in 1947, IFDA began with its stated goals to “increase the prestige and broaden the potentialities of the women in the industry; to bring together women in related fields to exchange ideas; to meet
established professional women through lectures, forums and other programming; and to offer opportunities and
training for members and others who would like to advance themselves through clinics and scholarships.”
Through the years, IFDA grew to include men, build a powerful philanthropic arm, and reach members across the globe. Their mission to bring prestige and professionalism to its members and to the home
furnishings world continues to resonate now nearly 80 years later.

The Carolinas Chapter IFDA is based in High Point and boasts members from virtually every facet of our
industry—manufacturing, marketing, sales, design, supplier/vendor, retail, education, product development, and
more. Members of the Carolinas Chapter regularly serve as officers of the International organization and its
philanthropy, IFDA Educational Foundation.