News
26th Annual Frederick Parker Lectures and Dinner
By Gil Carter
The 26th annual Frederick Parker Lectures was an entertaining and multi-faceted evening supporting the Frederick Parker Foundation and ensuring that the valuable collection of chairs and associated archive are preserved as a major study resource for future generations.
The first lecture was a joint presentation by Jo Sovin, collections manager for the Collection and Archive, and Peter Fisher, outreach manager for Special Collections at the London Metropolitan University where the Collection and Archive are currently held. Their illustrated talk explored the history and use of the Collection and an insight into stories coming to light during the cataloguing of the archive and research by users. In addition, we were able to understand some of the practical considerations in maintaining the extensive Collection and Archive.
In complete contrast, Fred Baier (pictured) gave an amusing and sometimes irreverent look at his 50-year career and approach to furniture making, which explores the relationship between geometry and function, concept and making, and marrying technical innovation with production. As a self-described ‘furniture artist’ much of his work can be viewed as sculptural pieces. His agile mind darted between computer assisted design techniques and the reality of the business world, leaving the audience eager for more as time ran out.
Wendy Shorter-Blake, chairman of the Frederick Parker Committee, gave a vote of thanks to the speakers before the audience moved to the pre-dinner reception during which a fundraising raffle was held. At the end of the dinner the annual draw for Friends of the Frederick Parker Foundation was made. The two recipients of champagne were Donna Bellingham, 2nd. Assistant and Martin Jourdan, Senior Past Master, who played a key role in securing the future of the Collection and Archive when ownership was transferred to the Furniture Makers’ Company
Several attractive lots were then auctioned under the persuasive influence of auctioneer, Roger Wates, and some spirited bidding resulted in the total sum for the evening of £2,000 being raised for the collection.
The final innovative event of the evening was the showing of three exquisite drawings by young design students from the London Design and Engineering University Technical College, following their visit to the Collection and clearly demonstrating the value students attain from it. A mini auction resulted in the sale of these drawings to supporters, the proceeds to be shared between the students to assist them in furthering their studies.
The evening was a great success, and thanks are due to all those organising and supporting it.