HIGH POINT, N.C. — The Fall Furniture Market is in full swing throughout High Point, known to many as the furniture capital of the world.
75,000 people will be in town for the semi-annual event being held October 14-18, 2023.
Collectively, The Spring and Fall markets generate $6.7 Billion for our state.
Although there is plenty of furniture on display at the market, hundreds of art pieces are also on display.
"It's a pretty critical accessory to a room, so it really does fit in with the interior design profession," said Tom Van Dessel, owner of Splashworks in downtown High Point.
Throughout the market, art takes center stage at his gallery.
"Actually, when you talk to many designers, they often will design a space around the piece of art so the inspiration may actually be from a piece of art that they use as a theme to design around," said Van Dessel.
Zoe Kamiya is 12 years old.
The young painter has several paintings on display at Splashworks as a part of the Fall market.
"By the age of nine or 10 I was thinking OK, if I start practicing, I could actually get pretty good at this," said Zoe.
This is the first time her paintings have been in the spotlight at such a large event.
"I've never actually been able to see market because people under 15 are not allowed. I'm just excited to be able to see High Point whenever it's alive so to say and getting to be part of it is a gift," Zoe said.
After moving to the Triad four years ago, Zoey's father, Jeremy Kamiya, started designing his own furniture.
After sharing Zoe's art with Splashworks, he was excited to give her the chance to showcase her talents.
"To be able to be in this ecosystem of large brands, and being in a town that welcomes many multiples of thousands of entry or designers is a real blessing. Where else in the world does that happen?" said Jeremy Kamiya.
Zoey says she plans to continue perfecting her craft with the hope of turning her talent into her career, "You don't need to be especially gifted if you have a passion for it if you want to dedicate your life to it. Humans can do a lot of things. I'm just going to say it," she said.
Zoe's art will be on display at Splashworks, located on West English Road, throughout the Fall Market.
She will also be hosting a live painting on October 16th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Interior Design Society.