Stars Come Out at Virtual Nantucket by Design

Since 2015, NYSID students have participated in Nantucket by Design, a fundraiser for the Nantucket Historical Association, by redesigning rooms in “The Oldest House,” a building dating back to 1686.

When Nantucket by Design went virtual last summer during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ellen Fisher, vice president for academic affairs and dean, saw an opportunity to give students an unforgettable learning experience in the form of a contest. She challenged twelve teams of students to design a room in “The Oldest House,” using photos and floor plans, and under the guidance of renowned interior designers connected to the NYSID community. Kati Curtis, Jamie Drake, Philip Gorrivan, Elaine Griffin, Alexa Hampton, Young Huh, David Kleinberg, Leyden Lewis, Stephanie Sarkies, and Beth Diana Smith mentored students via Zoom. The Williams Legacy Foundation, under the direction of NYSID trustee Kelly Williams (Nantucket Historical Association board member and chair of Nantucket by Design 2020), underwrote the contest and provided prize money.

The challenge was to encapsulate modern living in a historic home, and the winning teams were BFA seniors Shane Curnutt and Jessica Hassler (mentored by David Kleinberg), third year MFA1 students Hanna Propst and Daniela Rutigliano (mentored by Young Huh), second year MFA1 students Kelsey Egan and Rachel Golland (mentored by Jamie Drake), and BFA junior Nicole Halulakos (mentored by Alexa Hampton).

All participants had their design presentations displayed on the Nantucket by Design website, and the winning designs were shown at the Whaling Museum in downtown Nantucket.