ITA Educational Foundation

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Founders’ Scholarship Program

The International Textile Alliance (ITA) Educational Foundation is accepting applications for internship and scholarship programs providing more than $25,000 in support to students looking to enter the textile industry. ITA member companies sponsoring the scholarships and internships include Crypton, Hamilton Fabrics, P/Kaufmann, Springs Creative and Regal Fabrics.

FOUNDERS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 31, 2021

The ITA Founders’ Scholarship is an annual scholarship set up as a benefit for members and their children, as well as children of parents who are employed by an ITA member. The scholarship recipient receives $2,500 on the first and second year of the winner’s education. Scholarship Criteria Includes:

• Must be the child of an employee or an employee of an ITA Member Company

• Must be entering college as a freshman in the fall of 2021 or the spring of 2022

• Must be pursuing a career in the home textiles industry

• Minimum of a 3.5 GPA

• Three letters of recommendation

• List their extracurricular activities and awards

• Write an essay stating their educational objectives and how it relates to their planned career

The application deadline is December 31, 2021, and a Founders Scholarship Application form is available on the ITA website.

The Founders’ Scholarship was established in 2015 by the ITA Board of Directors along with the Educational Foundation to further the organization’s commitment to education and the future of the industry. This scholarship was created to honor our Founding ITA Board of Directors and Members.

The founding ITA Board of Director members were: Pete Thompson, Terry Baxter, Tom Muzekari, Tom Forrester, Lee Kabat, Fran Luedtke

Founding ITA Member Companies: American Silk Mills, Covington Fabric & Design, LLC, David Rothschild Co., Inc., J.B. Martin Co., Inc.P. Kaufmann Fabrics, Richloom Fabrics Group, Valdese Weavers, Inc.

COMMITTEE CHAIR Kathryn Richardson, Libeco

COMMITTEE MEMBERS Jack Eger, Crypton | John Kearns, Hamilton Fabric Sales | Katherine Shoaf, Radiate Textiles Katie Smarr, Crypton | Katie Williams, De Leo Textiles | Terrell Gary, P. Kaufmann | Wesley Mancini, Wesley Mancini, Ltd.

A key focus of ITA, its Educational Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the future of the textile industries through the nurturing and promotion of education, scholarship, and career development initiatives. The foundation relies on the support and financial generosity of ITA members and industry leaders to fund these efforts. To make a donation to the foundation, contact the ITA office at 336-885-6842 or info@internationaltextilealliance.org.

WINNERS OF THE VIRGINIA JACKSON DESIGN COMPETITION

The mission of the Virginia Jackson Design Competition is simple and constant: to educate and support our future designers. Many textile design students have little or no interaction with our industry unless they are fortunate enough to participate in ITA industry tours or land an internship. They are often taught to create without heed to any particular end use. Recognizing this challenge, the Virginia Jackson Design Competition requires students to consider the furniture applications for their designs.

My goal has been to be an educator and creative force in color and design direction for our industry. It is important to nurture, foster and introduce new ideas and talents to the American home fashions scene. ~ Virginia Jackson

PRINT

1st Place ANNA HAMBY University of Georgia

1st Place ANNA HAMBY University of Georgia

2nd Place ANA FALCETA Sheridan College

Honorable Mention ROSALIND WHARTON Sheridan College

JACQUARD

1st Place KRISTEN TYNAN Jefferson University

1st Place KRISTEN TYNAN Jefferson University

2nd Place EMILY ROBINSON Jefferson University

Honorable Mention OLIVIA GRASSO Jefferson University