by The Bienenstock Furniture Library in High Point has announced a new scholarship and rebranding of its annual student interior design competition to reflect a $7,500 contribution from High Point-based Barbour Spangle Design.
Led by co-founders and accredited interior designers Christi Barbour and Christi Spangle, Barbour Spangle Design is an award-winning commercial, showroom and residential design firm recognized for excellence by industry associations including the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and International Interior Design Association (IIDA), as well as by media entities like Interior Design and Triad Business Journal.
“Barbour Spangle Design has been involved in the library’s student competition since 2013 because we’re committed to the future of our industry,” says co-founder Christi Spangle.“Over the years, we’ve witnessed the program make a huge impact on participants and their future success as design professionals, and we felt the time was right to bolster our support in a bigger way.”
Entries for the 2023 student challenge, renamed The Barbour Spangle Interior Design Competition, will be accepted in December, with two ranked winners selected and named by March 1, 2023. A check for $5,000 will be awarded to the student earning first place in the challenge; with $1,500 going to second place. At the first place winner’s school, the interior design department will also be awarded $1,000.
“In addition to providing financial scholarships, we’re excited to act as mentors and to serve as a sounding board for students preparing to begin their careers,” Spangle says. “It means a lot to us to know we are making a difference in the lives of young designers.”
Adding to the cash awards, Barbour Spangle Design will provide winning students with a professional portfolio review, an informational interview experience with a designer on staff, and a one-year mentorship program, among other gifts.
The library’s annual student design competition includes a challenge for furniture design students, as well. This year’s sponsor of the furniture design competition is the International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD). For more information, visit the Bienenstock Furniture Library website.
