Marimekko Is Inaugural Design Firm Featured In Cooper-Hewitt's Design By Hand Program

NEW YORK, Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- This fall, celebrated Finnish design house Marimekko will be the inaugural design firm featured in the Design by Hand program, organized by the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.  This new series of bi-annual educational conversations and workshops will focus on the craftsmanship, innovations and merits of contemporary global designers, from fall 2013 through spring 2017. Three of Marimekko's designers will be on-hand to celebrate the art of print-making and lead a number of workshops from November 5-November 9.

"We are so pleased to be asked by Cooper-Hewitt to be the opening design firm for this wonderful 4-year program," says Minna Kemell-Kutvonen, Marimekko's Creative Director, "Marimekko's designs cross the worlds of textiles, interiors and fashion, and we are delighted to share our approach and unique vision with museum audiences."

Helsinki-based  designers Sami Ruotsalainen, Aino-Maija Metsola and Mika Piirainen will participate in a range of programs, including a teen hands-on workshop, adult workshop, college workshop, public lecture and family workshops.

The fall Design By Hand public programs with Marimekko include:
Teen Workshop: Marimekko: Inspired by Life; Tuesday, Nov. 5; 4:00-6:30 p.m.
Cooper-Hewitt Design Center (111 Central Park North, New York)
Cooper-Hewitt's teen programs are essential to the museum's goal of developing the designers of tomorrow. This hands-on print workshop will focus on creating prints inspired by everyday life. The teens will work with Marimekko designers to translate colors, patterns and shapes into personal expressions. Free.

University-level Workshop: Dressing Up People and Objects; Wednesday, Nov. 6; 2-4:30 p.m.
Cooper-Hewitt Design Center (111 Central Park North, New York)
Students will work side by side with Marimekko designers to learn how to wrap three dimensional forms with patterns and colors. Free.

Adult Hands-on Workshop: Design Storytelling; Wednesday, Nov. 6; 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cooper-Hewitt Design Center (111 Central Park North, New York)
Marimekko designers will discuss powerful examples of storytelling through the firm's prints and lead a hands-on print workshop for participants to explore the theme in their own work. Cooper-Hewitt members, $25; general admission, $50.

Public Lecture: The Spirit of Marimekko Design; Thursday, Nov. 7; 6:30-8 p.m.
WNYC Greene Space (44 Charlton Street, New York)
The public program will feature a discussion about Marimekko's approach to design, including its design language of colors, patterns and shapes. The program will be webcast live and the broadcast will be archived on Cooper-Hewitt's website. General admission, $10; senior citizens, $8. Cooper-Hewitt members and students are admitted free with registration. 

Family Workshops: Colors, Patterns and Shapes; Saturday, Nov. 9; 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Cooper-Hewitt Design Center (111 Central Park North, New York)
These family workshops will be inspired by Marimekko's work and will feature a creative, hands-on program, led by museum educators. Free.

Design by Hand is made possible by the support of Van Cleef & Arpels.

Program Registration
All programs require advance registration at www.cooperhewitt.org/designbyhand. For further information, call (212) 849-8353.

About Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum
As the only museum in the nation devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design, Cooper-Hewitt educates, inspires and empowers people locally and globally through design. The museum is undergoing a transformative renovation resulting in 60 percent more gallery space and will reopen in fall 2014 with an entirely new visitor experience. During the renovation, Cooper-Hewitt's exhibitions, education programs and events are popping up nationally as well as locally at the Cooper-Hewitt Design Center in Harlem.

About Marimekko
Marimekko is a Finnish textile and clothing design company renowned for its original prints and colours. The company designs and manufactures high-quality interior decoration items ranging from furnishing fabrics to tableware as well as clothing, bags and other accessories. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, its unparalleled printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. Marimekko products are sold in approximately 40 countries. In 2012, brand sales of Marimekko products worldwide amounted to approximately EUR 187 million and the company's net sales were EUR 88 million. The number of Marimekko stores totalled 108 at the year end. The key markets are North America, Northern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The Group employs around 500 people. The company's share is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com

SOURCE Marimekko