May 31, 2018 (Hyannis, MA) – The Arts Foundation of Cape Cod (AFCC) welcomed Mashpee-based textile designer Kathryn Kayajan to its Board of Directors earlier this month.
“We’re excited to add Kathryn to the AFCC board,” said Board Chair Rana Murphy. “Not only is she passionate about our work, but she is a successful artist and business person who has a keen understanding of what it takes to prosper creatively here on the Cape.”
Kayajan’s involvement at the AFCC started as a volunteer. “Having grown up on Cape Cod and moving back after 25 years in New York City, I wanted to get involved and give back to the community in some way,” Kayajan said. “I am excited to take that involvement to the next level as a board member and contribute my unique experiences as a business owner in a creative field, a crafts-person, and an artist. I’m looking forward to working with a board that is just as passionate as I am about supporting the arts here on the Cape.”
Raised in Hyannis, Kayajan’s introduction to the arts was as a child when she attended classes at the Cape Cod Conservatory. Her creative passion continued into adulthood; she attended The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston as well as the Parsons School of Design where she studied architectural design.
Following college, Kayajan landed a job at the architecture and design firm Gensler in New York City before launching FERRAN which began as an accessories company in 2000. Her work attracted the attention of Lilly Pulitzer which contracted Kayajan as a consultant for its accessories line.
Through her contract with Lilly Pulitzer, Kayajan was able to delve into textile design, leading her to start FERRAN textiles in 2003. Its first print was published in Vogue Magazine. The company’s one-of-a-kind patterns can be found on everything from pillows to bedding to table linens to wallpaper. Kayajan’s designs and products have been featured in a variety of publications including Architectural Digest, Elle, Country Living, and Traditional Home.
About the AFCC
The AFCC’s mission is to support, promote, and celebrate the arts and culture of Cape Cod. It fulfills its mission by funding grants, fellowships, and scholarships; by advocating for more awareness on the impact the Cape’s creative economy has on our region and beyond; and by building a strong arts community network through membership.