[108] MTSU interior design students host ‘garden party’ Sept. 29 at Oaklands

MURFREESBORO — A garden party is a leisurely appreciation of both natural and human-crafted beauty, but a tremendous amount of work and care go into making it so enjoyable.

The MTSU student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers will present its fall 2016 lecture, “The Garden Party: Celebration of the Domestic Arts,” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, in Maney Hall at Oaklands Mansion, 900 N. Maney Ave. in Murfreesboro. A reception catered by McAlister’s will begin at 5 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

“Who doesn’t like to dress up a little bit, put on a pretty hat and have a nice morning or afternoon in the garden?” said Deborah Belcher, human sciences department chair and a registered interior designer.

Belcher and two of her colleagues will impart their wisdom on both historical and contemporary elements of garden parties and display examples of their own work.

Gina Pisut, textiles, merchandising and design (TXMD) program coordinator, will examine corsetry. Lauren Rudd, assistant professor in the TXMD program, will talk about quilting. Belcher will address floral arrangements.

Belcher says the artistry and craftsmanship of these creative expressions are only part of the emphasis on home, hearth, shelter, food and relationships that characterize human sciences.

“We’re showing just three examples of the multiple domestic arts that are out there,” said Belcher. “We’re looking at our history but also who we are today in human sciences.”

During the event, an array of historic quilts will be on display in Maney Hall, and a gallery show of all three professors’ handiwork will be on display in the mansion itself.

Belcher said the gallery show will be open starting Thursday, Sept. 22, and will be on exhibit through the end of September, including during Oaklands’ Oktoberfest celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24.

“The Garden Party: Celebration of the Domestic Arts” is sponsored by the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, the Department of Human Sciences and Oaklands.

For more information, contact Belcher at 615-898-2302 or deborah.belcher@mtsu.edu.