Furniture Society annual benefit auction to be held in New York

Live auction to include works by Vladimir Kagan, Wendell Castle and Sam Maloof Workshop

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 3/18/2011 3:26:21 PM

NEW YORK — The Furniture Society, based in Asheville, N.C., will hold its annual benefit auction in New York City for the first time at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show (ADHDS), held March 17-20 from 5-7 p.m. at Pier 94 in Manhattan.

Among the pieces being auctioned are works from noted designers and Furniture Society Award of Distinction honorees, including Vladimir Kagan, Wendell Castle, Sam Maloof Workshop and John Makepeace, among others.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with the Architectural Digest Home Design Show," said Katherine Sharp, chair of the auction committee. "This will be an unprecedented opportunity for our organization to reach a wider audience of interior design industry professionals and sophisticated consumers."

The list of items to be presented at the live auction after the reception includes work by Garry Knox Bennett, Wendell Castle, Michael Fortune, Vladimir Kagan, John Makepeace, Sam Maloof Workshop, Judy Mckie, Po Shun Leong, Silas Kopf, Tommy Simpson and Bill Keyser.

A silent auction will also be held during the run of the ADHDS featuring works by some Furniture Society artisan and designer members, including: Vivian Beer, Ted Blachly, Bruce Bradford, Robert Brou, Mark Cwik, Glen Guarino, Peter Handler, Brian Hubel, Katie Hudnall, Michael McCoy, Christy Oates, Andrew Pitts, David Richardson, Jack Rodie, Janice Smith, Paul Wanrooij, Geoffrey Warner, Kevin Wiggers and Kimberly Winkle. The winners of the silent auction will be announced Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m.

"There is an increased interest in functional design that is made by the hand of talented craftspeople," said Furniture Society Board Member Mark Bench. "Through the auction and our presence at the ADHDS, we hope to expand consumer and designer knowledge of the joy of having a work of art created by hand, or alternatively, a commissioned piece made especially for you."

The auctions are open to all show attendees. Visit www.furnituresociety.org for details on this event along with information on the silent auction.