News release from Wunderkammer Company:
Wunderkammer Company launches Design Week Fort Wayne
Local design community rallies around industry event.(February 23, 2016) — Wunderkammer Company is proud to announce the launch of Design Week Fort Wayne. This event, to be held Monday, April 18th, to Friday, April 22nd, and will mark a time of professional development for the local design community, as well as an opportunity to elevate the profile and importance of design in Northeast Indiana’s growing economy.
“Design Week Fort Wayne is the direct result of our Creative Census research project produced in 2015 with the support of the Knight Foundation, which found that over 30 percent of Northeast Indiana’s creative economy is within the design fields, the clear majority, producing over $100 million per year in economic impact,” Dan Swartz, executive director, Wunderkammer Company, said. “Design Week Fort Wayne will bring local, national, and international design experts, hands-on workshops, studio and factory tours, portfolio reviews, and quality networking events developed specifically to build this important segment of the local economy.”
The event is being brought to the Summit City by significant support from some of the area’s leading corporations and institutions, including sponsors Vera Bradley, Britton Marketing & Design Group, and Indiana Tech. In addition, numerous businesses and organizations from across the local art and design community have come together to support the city’s first Design Week. As founding sponsor of Design Week Fort Wayne, Vera Bradley’s leadership and vision for the event has been exemplary.
“Vera Bradley is so proud and excited to sponsor the first Design Week Fort Wayne. Design Week is a great way to showcase our hometown as well as the amazing talent we are fortunate to have here. As a leading designer of handbags and other beautiful solutions for women, Vera Bradley is always interested in attracting design talent with fresh, innovative ideas to our Company. Design Week will allow us to discover new talent and new talent to discover us! This special week is just one more way to demonstrate that Fort Wayne is a great place for gifted, creative people to live and work.” – Barbara Baekgaard, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer. As presenting sponsor, Britton Marketing & Design Group has helped set the tone for the event, creating its visual identity and presence.
“The amount of talent in Northeast Indiana is remarkable,” Sue Britton, chief creative officer of Britton Marketing & Design Group, said. “The Midwest has long been considered a fly-over zone concerning leading edge design. It’s our hope that in supporting Design Week Fort Wayne we can help shine a light on this world-class creative region. By building connections and creative networks that strengthen the arts and design culture, Fort Wayne can be that place where creative people want to move (and stay) and enjoy being a part of this thriving, affordable, healthy community.”
For more information on Design Week Fort Wayne, visit designweekfw.com.
About Wunderkammer
Wunderkammer Company is a 501(c)3 independent non-pro t contemporary art center located in the former Casa D’Angelo’s restaurant building at 3402 Fairfield Ave in the heart of Fort Wayne’s historic neighborhoods in the 46807 zip code. With the mission of revitalizing communities through contemporary art, Wunderkammer Company works with artists, civic-minded organizations, and the community at large to find new strategies to communicate diverse and challenging ideas, while finding ways to build and share values between all parties involved. Learn more at www.wunderkammercompany.com.About Vera Bradley
Fort Wayne-based Vera Bradley is a leading designer of women’s handbags and accessories, luggage and travel items, eyewear, stationery and gifts. Founded in 1982 by friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the brand’s iconic designs and versatile styles offer women of all ages a colorful way to accessorize. Vera Bradley offers a unique, multi-channel sales model as well as a focus on service and a high level of engagement with fans. Fiscal 2015 net revenues totaled approximately $509 million. Learn more at verabradley.com.About Britton Marketing & Design Group
Specializing in brand-centered content creation, Britton Marketing & Design Group has helped some of the world’s most beloved lifestyle brands deepen their connection with consumers. Founded in 2006, the agency works across a wide range of disciplines—including strategy, branding, direct marketing, retail design, digital and video—with a belief that the best way to illuminate meaningful brands is with great strategy overlaid with inspiring, brand-centered creative. The Fort Wayne-based company counts Vera Bradley, Peter Millar, Sherwin-Williams, Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores, Crayola, and Dutch Boy among its clients. Learn more at brittonmdg.com.