Crafts News

The winners of the 20th Hagopian Rug Design Competition were recognized during an award ceremony at the 2009 CCS Student Exhibition.

Over 35 CCS students participated in the competition designing rug concepts that embraced and were inspired by green ideas and methods. First place went to Virginia Peckenpaugh, Crafts/Fiber, sophomore whose design was inspired by the rainforest.

Placing second was Illustration senior Maria Filar for her design based on organic shapes. Filar was excited to submit a design for the "green-themed" competition stating, "I think it's really important for my generation to be constantly thinking of ways to be more efficient and eco-friendly, and being able to translate those ideas into something beautiful that is also environmentally conscious is really great."

The third prize went to first-year Illustration student Bridget Sullivan for her design inspired by her favorite painting at the DIA. Sullivan also mentioned that she, "enjoyed learning about the different fibers available to make the rug environmentally friendly."

Interior Design senior Stephanie Kalb received honorable mention for her design based on the earth's resources.

Sponsored by Hagopian World of Rugs the competition was developed to mentor students in the field of textile design and support CCS. Students are given the opportunity to submit designs based on specific criteria and compete for scholarship money. In addition, Hagopian has the first-place design made into a rug which is displayed at the annual CCS Student Exhibition and available for purchase.

Judges from the metro Detroit design community annually selected the winning concepts. The judges for the 2009 competition were Stanley Lecznar from The Teich Group, Shirley Maddalena, Maddalena Design, and John Wohl, Tom Verwest Interiors.