Kia Weatherspoon, NCIDQ, ASID

Towards leadership and diversity: Designers and their clients

Kia leads Determined by Design, a minority + veteran-owned business.
Determined by Design specializes in the creation of beautiful, functional and stimulating interior spaces that enable the progress of people and their neighborhoods. In partnership with integrated teams, the firm provides full service interior design for multifamily affordable and supportive housing properties, boutique hotels and small businesses located in economically challenged and emerging communities.
The Determined by Design team is driven by a commitment to establish exceptional interior design as a standard for all, rather than a luxury for few. From real estate developers to architects, and property owners to entrepreneurs — the firm collaborates with many who share a common vision of uplifting lives and enriching places. To register for this event email: events@cfa.fsu.edu.

FAR & Away Conversations are hosted by the FSU Facility for Arts Research in the College of Fine Arts. Each of these virtual events feature a prominent artist, who has been a previous FAR Research Fellow, engaging in an illuminating conversation with a peer, collaborator, or mentor loosely based on common interests that intersect in their work. These events will be live-streamed and give the audience the ability to contribute in real time by asking questions via chat. Invited artists range in discipline from movement and performance to social engagement and from authors and poets to installation. Please register for event here: FAR & Away Conversations

About the Artists
Kelly Lloyd is a multidisciplinary conceptual artist who focuses on issues of representation and knowledge production, and prioritizes public-facing collaborative research. Lloyd received a dual M.F.A. in Painting and M.A. in Visual & Critical Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2015, and earned a B.A. from Oberlin College in 2008. In 2019, she completed the Starr Fellowship at the Royal Academy Schools; had solo exhibitions at the Royal Academy Schools (London), Crybaby (Berlin), Bill’s Auto (Chicago) and Dirty House (London); lectured at the Edinburgh College of Art and The Ruskin School of Art; collaborated on public programming at rum 46 (Aarhus), Raven Row (London) and Block 336 (London); and was granted a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant, the Art Licks Workweek Prize, and a Step Travel Grant. She began her DPhil in Fine Art at the University of Oxford this Fall. www.k-lloyd.com

Yalie Kamara is a Sierra Leonean-American writer, researcher, and a native of Oakland, California. She’s the author of A Brief Biography of My Name, which was included in New-Generation African Poets: A Chapbook Box Set (Tano) (African Poetry Book Series/Akashic Books, 2018) and When The Living Sing (Ledge Mule Press, 2017). She has received fellowships from The Vermont Studio Center, Callaloo, and The National Book Critics Circle, and was a finalist for the Brunel African Poetry Prize. She earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Indiana University, Bloomington and is a doctoral student in Creative Writing and English Literature at the University of Cincinnati. www.yaylala.com

For more information, contact events@cfa.fsu.edu.

Melanie Murata
Principal and founder, Karu
Elevating the diversity of design practitioners

A design firm based in Milan, Italy with a unique global point of view and a digital design process that is reimagined. The firm connects clients to an exclusive interior architecture vision and handcrafted #madeinitaly selections. They work with their clients intimately to create spaces that perfectly align with their vision and business goals, and each project is 100% unique and academically correct. As digital experts, they make the design process simple.
The KARU design program is a digital community space built on supporting, connecting, informing, and elevating the next generation of designers of color. Rooted in quality conversations, this program seeks to form community and empower young designers in their journey. To register for this event email: events@cfa.fsu.edu.

In this discussion, Stephanie Johnson-Cunningham will shed light on her work through Museum Hue and share the ways that Culturally Specific Museums are boldly responding to the needs of their community and addressing current issues through their narratives, programs, exhibitions and services. She will share the critical ways museums help shape, define and preserve today for the future. To register: Lecture Series .

Toni Wyre, ASID, WELL AP, LEED AP
Senior Associate
Polk, Stanley, Wilcox Architects
Design in healthcare and mental/behavioral health projects

Known for creating modern and contemporary interiors that feel warm and inviting, Toni has worked in education, healthcare, corporate, civic, hospitality and residential design, receiving over 30 regional awards in the past 10 years. She will discuss her work with healthcare and mental and behavioral healthcare project sectors. With vast product and material knowledge, Toni has led over $15 million in furniture installations in the past 3 years. Toni’s extensive knowledge in sustainable certification allowed her the opportunity to be the first designer in Arkansas to lead a 100% Greenguard certified furniture installation. Her commitment to team collaboration urges clients to be involved throughout the entire design process, creating positive end-results.
Recent professional achievements include national speaking opportunities and judging national design competitions for magazines such as Healthcare Design. Her presence on the national board of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) allows her to interact with some of the most talented designers in the nation. Toni is also an instructor at the University of Central Arkansas teaching professional practice and advanced studios. To register for this event email: events@cfa.fsu.edu.