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Features +

AIGA Philadelphia 2009 Fellow Award Ceremony

by Rita Cavicchia

On the evening of May 28th 2009 AIGA Philadelphia to bestowed their highest honor of the 2009 Fellow award to this years recipient Ms. Laurie Churchman.

The ceremony brought a great coming together of many artists, peers, colleagues, family and friends, on her behalf and in the celebration of all she has done for design.

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If you have never been to the Philadelphia Art Alliance building, then you may not know that the Italian-style Palazzo is of the last standing grand mansions on Rittenhouse Square. It is a jewel of old Philadelphia Architecture, and full of history, with almost 100 years of great discovery in the emerging visual, literary and performing arts.

And so, on the evening of May 28th 2009, it is a most becoming venue for AIGA Philadelphia to bestow their highest honor of the 2009 Fellow award to this years recipient Ms. Laurie Churchman.

The ceremony brought a great coming together of many artists, peers, colleagues, family and friends, on her behalf and in the celebration of all she has done for design. The celebration also was a peek at the impact of design in Ms. Churchman’s personal life, and of her personal impact on the industry at large. AIGA Philadelphia provided hors d’ oeuvres, decadent desserts, an open cocktail bar and music by DJ Shawn Ryan.

As Principal of her company, Designlore, Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and an Author of her recent book, The Art of Boat Names, Ms. Laurie Churchman is no undeserving recipient. In fact, the only thing more winding then the grand staircase in the Art Alliance grand room is the curriculum vitae of Laurie Churchman. And, the impact she has had in the lives of her students, family, and friends becomes apparent as the intimate audience gathered around that very staircase and introductions were made by Elysa Stein Soffer, Fellow Awards Chair, AIGA Philadelphia.

Frank Baseman, Principal of Baseman Design Associates and friend of Laurie Churchman delivered a highly quipped nautical speech, in honor of her recently published book on the importance of the design of typography on boats.

An endearing presentation followed, by David Comberg, who has shared a crowded office with Laurie for the past 4 years, in which he highlighted some of the many-facets of Ms. Churchman’s career and whimsical personality.

The Award and Ceremony was presented by Kelly Holohan, President of AIGA Philadelphia, followed by acceptance and a speech by Laurie.

The Fellow Award was established by AIGA Philadelphia in 1999 as a means of recognizing mature designers who have made significant contribution to raising the standards of excellence and conduct within their local design community. Laurie Churchman is the sixth AIGA Philadelphia Fellow.



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Philadelphia Photo : Kimmel Center : AIGA Member Aryon Hoselton