October 5, 2010

The Angelo Donghia foundation has been awarding outstanding Interior Design college seniors with scholarships since 2002. This year, our very own Shauna Capen was awarded the $30,000 scholarship for her interior design of a conceptual Japanese small plates restaurant in Philadelphia.  Capen worked with faculty advisor Marilynne Rose, Interiors Professor, on her design of Ikebana. Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging which inspired Capen to transform the traditional philosophy of ikebana into a modern oasis that brings nature and humanity together. These organic influences can be seen in the leaf shaped overhead lighting, large flower images in the banquette seating area and free flowing shape of the bar.

Capen became interested in Interior Design in high school after taking architectural drafting classes. She feels interior design blends her love of art and math, allowing her to be creative while still being structured. Capen will use the scholarship for her senior year tuition, books and maintenance. With her tuition savings, Shauna plans to travel after graduation before settling into a job with an Interior Design firm.

The Angelo Donghia Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides support for two distinct fields: the advancement of education in the field of interior design and initiatives pertaining to the discovery of causes of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and its related diseases and treatments. Over the past eight years, the Foundation has awarded in excess of $6,725,000.00 to these causes.