By Gina Malone
A serendipitous encounter in October proved life-changing for artist Jenny Ellis, of The Artful Chair. Although going to High Point’s furniture market has been an annual trek for her since 2000, she almost didn’t go this year, with the devastation of Hurricane Helene so recent. “My frame of mind was still preoccupied by the uncertainty of what’s next,” she says. However, attending, she decided, was a way for her to smile and feel energized again. “On the first day, I decided to eat lunch at a venue which for years I normally passed up,” Ellis says. “Am I glad I did!”
It was there that she met a group of women who wanted to hear about her experiences in Asheville. Among them was Stephanie Jonas, the director of exhibitor and sponsor engagement for the High Point Market Authority. A non-profit organization, the High Point Market Authority oversees, executes and promotes the twice-yearly High Point Market, the largest home furnishings trade show in the world with 1,800 to 2,000 exhibitors across the Market District.
Because of her meeting with Jonas, Ellis will display her one-of-a-kind, artistically upholstered chairs at Shoppe Object – High Point, a trade-only event that brings buyers, retailers, press, merchants, interior designers and other industry members to High Point. “Shoppe Object is a collection of industry icons to niche makers and artisans representing the home and gift market,” says Jonas. “It’s a great space that showcases creative entrepreneurs’ unique craftmanship and artistry. This is a great opportunity for Jenny to share her story through her beautiful chairs.” Located on the third floor of High Point’s Historic Market Square, the show features more than 100 home décor and furnishings brands. Shoppe Object debuted in NYC in 2018, where shows are held in February and August. Shoppe Object – High Point was launched last year.
The Historic Market Square buildings remind Ellis of the River Arts District’s (RAD’s) old, industrial buildings. “The building is early 1900s with creaky wood floors and quirky additions,” she says. “It’s old, but refreshed as a new ‘industrial chic’ vibe, somewhat like my rescued vintage chairs: discarded orphans transformed into chic statement pieces.”
Her work will be part of Spring Market ‘25, happening April 26-30. “From my initial talking to vendors, it sounds like the space is carefully planned to display everyone with a great flow, cohesive signage and giant QR codes above each space so they can shop online before and after the show,” Ellis says. “It’s very well thought out. I love that it has a lot of room for walk-through traffic.”
Additional good news, Ellis says, is that, beginning in January, she will be setting up a studio in Weaverville with Brandy Clements and Dave Klingler from Silver River Center for Chair Caning. Ellis has closed her retail space in the RAD that was flooded after Hurricane Helene. She has had a presence in the RAD since 2014, and says she still gets teary-eyed driving through the devastation. “It has helped to meet every week with our artist community, to see everyone and feel the support and outpouring of generosity and love,” she says. “Our fearless leaders of the RAD have been so amazing and organized! I am still going to show my chairs online on the RAD website, since I’ve been affectionately dubbed the ‘Chair Lady’ by many people.”
As for Shoppe Object, she has high hopes. “It’s like I’m opening a door with no idea what I will find,” she says. “I hope I sell everything that I bring to the show and get multiple orders. My ultimate dream is to be ‘discovered’ by some big company to design for them, or have my chair designs highlighted in their catalog lineup as an exclusive limited series. I’d have to consider my size and manufacturing ability, but I’m sure I can rise to the occasion if or when the time comes.”
Learn more about Jenny Ellis’ work at TheArtfulChair.com. Her new studio space will be located at 32 North Main Street, Weaverville.
