HIGH POINT, N.C., May 1, 2015 – High Point University students are showcasing a collection of photography at the High Point Museum that honors the city’s furniture heritage and workforce. The exhibit kicked off with a reception on April 30 to unveil the student’s work, entitled “Hands behind the Craft.” It will be on display at the museum through July 30.
The service learning photography class, led by Benita VanWinkle, assistant professor of art, made the community their classroom and embraced the Piedmont Triad’s history in furniture manufacturing by photographing the individuals who build furniture in and around High Point. At the reception, the students spoke about what they learned as well as answered questions regarding their role in preserving the history of the furniture industry.
“My grandparents run a furniture company in Maryland, and the factories we visited in the Piedmont were completely different,” say HPU student Kate Hessie. “Each person here has their own skills and expertise and were able to showcase that through their work. It gives you the appreciation when you see a piece of furniture. You can visualize how it was made and the amount of time and effort that went into it.”
The students have gone to various furniture factories, such as Braxton Culler, Baker Furniture and Edward Ferrell/Lewis Mittman Furniture to see first-hand what the furniture artisans are making. They have learned about how furniture is made, sold and distributed by talking to the employees, the owners and performing research. They also learned about the economy and culture of the industry.
“I am humbled and honored to have gone on this journey of discovery with these students,” says VanWinkle. “As they have said to me several times, this course has made them really connect with High Point as a city, more than just the place they go to school. There work throughout the semester has really showcased their abilities, and I am proud of what they have accomplished.”
“I am grateful to have received the privilege to go out into the community and photograph the furniture industry,” says HPU student Brittney McClure. “I have seen the stages and processes each piece of furniture goes through to make the finished product and met talented people along the way.”
The photographs will be housed in an archive that will be available to the public for research and reference, and the images will be shared with the Furniture Hall of Fame.