The Jamestown Arts Center exhibit “Setting the Stage” presents a behind-the-scenes look at two celebrated designers: Set Designer Eugene Lee and Interior Designer Kyla Coburn.
Lee and Coburn were recently inducted into the RI Design Hall of Fame; Coburn was named Emerging Designer for her work at some of Rhode Island’s hippest restaurants and bars, and Lee received Lifetime Achievement recognition for his award-winning sets on Broadway, and his work for television and Trinity Rep.
Lee and Coburn teamed up to create the exhibit that highlights their work. Lee contributed dozens of what he calls “white boxes.” These are models he has built over the years for just about every set he’s designed, from early Trinity Rep shows to Saturday Night Live, the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and the Tony Award-winning scenic design for the hit Broadway musical Wicked.
Lee says he remains old school, drafting the way he also has and eschewing computer assisted design tools in favor of hand-crafted models, super glue and wood.
Coburn’s part of the exhibit focuses on “before and after,” with illustrations of the restaurant spaces she has transformed.
“Setting the Stage” is on display at the Jamestown Arts Center through June 18th.
