This exhibition presents eight different design interpretations of this traditional leisure chair.
Rediscovering material, texture, scale, proportion, use, function and gesture the works in The Adirondack Revisited highlight contemporary, poetic designs inspired from this traditional form. More than just the presentation of contemporary works in wood, the exhibition is the culmination of an applied learning project. Developed by IUP instructor and nationally known furniture designer Christopher Weiland, the applied curriculum was designed to build the students' knowledge of professional exhibition practices in preparation for careers as professional artists.

The semester project involved the students' production of a studio furniture piece based on the slat-back chair originally designed by Adirondack vacationer Thomas Lee for his family cottage in 1903. After studying the history and ergonomics of this leisure chair each student developed drawings, models and a full-scale prototype construction. Upon completion the chairs were shipped to Pittsburgh where the students participated in a special photo shoot and instructional workshop with professional photographer Roy Engelbrecht to introduce them to proper studio photography techniques used for publication and exhibition purposes. For the final phase of the project, the students were invited to participate in all aspects of exhibition development including communications, promotion, design and actual installation.

The strong craftsmanship and high level of design which is evident in the work featured in The Adirondack Revisited, and the professionalism with which the exhibition was documented and installed by the IUP students, underscores the success of this unique applied learning experience.

The participating artists are: Jacob Albright, Philip Lazzaro, John Leydig, Nicole McHugh, Jennifer Spendley, Vincent Thearle, Sam Wilson, and Kevin Zimmerman. The works on exhibit are for sale. For more information call SCC at 412/261-7003.