WSU’s Interior Design Program Auctions Chairs for Charity

OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University interior design students will auction antique chairs during the sixth annual Charitable Chair event, April 21 at the Union Grill (315 24th St., Ogden) beginning at 6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Ogden GOAL Foundation Youth Program and the Program of Interior Design.

Students from five interior design courses participate in the event as part of their final projects, which incorporate both design curriculum and public service. Participants selected finishes and materials to restore chairs to their original historic significance. The process included soliciting community sponsors for services, products and funds to aid in the restoration.

Students restored 22 chairs, which will be for sale this year. The silent auction begins at 6 p.m., with a live auction for six chairs at 7 p.m.

Since its inception, Charitable Chair has donated more than $15,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Weber-Davis. Donations to this year’s community partner, the Ogden GOAL Foundation, will help provide shoes for young Utah students to promote a healthy and active lifestyle.

“We are excited about partnering with the Ogden GOAL Foundation’s Youth Program for this year’s Charitable Chair event,” said Kristen Arnold, interior design program coordinator. “We hope to be able to support their mission of providing athletic shoes for young students in the Ogden area.”

Interior design student Jamie Gormley is participating in Charitable Chair for the second year. Gormley and a classmate worked on a Victorian spoonback parlor chair from the 1860s.

“We sourced local artisans to help restore our chair,” Gormley said. “Using local vendors allowed us to begin building relationships with people we may need to work with in the future. Not only do we get to practice our networking skills, but also working with small businesses helps strengthen ties between Weber State and our community.”

Tickets for the evening are $15 and can be purchased at bit.ly/2opsNQu until the night of the event. Those who are unable to attend but would like to submit bids can contact Arnold at kristenarnold@weber.edu.

Visit weber.edu/interiordesign/chair.html to learn more about this auction and see this year’s gallery of chairs.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Rachel Badali, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7295 • rachelbadali@weber.edu

Contact:

Kristen Arnold, interior design program coordinator
801-395-3423 • kristenarnold@weber.edu