Creating
Graceful Artwork
SIOBHAN PENDERGAST ’89
GUIDES ARTISTS AT LENOX GROUP.
BY LAURIE LOEWENSTEIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID W. COULTER
During an internship her junior year at Lafayette, Siobhan Pendergast ’89 (standing at right), found herself placing bids on behalf of the distinguished London gallery Didier Aaron Ltd.
“It was an incredible experience,” she says. “I placed bids on behalf of the managing director, which was exciting and nail biting at times. The bidding process between galleries for certain prized works of art could get very competitive, and the bids often were extremely high 
as galleries vied for different items.”
During her senior year, Pendergast scouted art auctions on the
East Coast for Spanish paintings that a businessman wanted to buy
and then sell at his galleries in London and Madrid. She also spent Fridays as an extern at Piero Corsini Inc., a New York gallery specializing in Italian Old Master paintings, and met its conservators.
“They were experts in their field from Italy and worked on-site repairing and restoring paintings to their original condition and beauty,” she says. “Working in the gallery was breathtaking.”
Her experiences convinced Pendergast that she had correctly chosen a double major in art and economics & business. But after the stock market’s mini crash in October 1989, the art market crashed. For a
few months following graduation, things didn’t look promising.
“Then a position opened up at Lenox and it has been the perfect match for me,” says Pendergast. “I’m dealing with artists and sculptors while at the same time analyzing trends, the competitive marketplace, and consumer buying preferences.”
Pendergast’s current position at the Lenox Group, known for its fine tableware and giftware, is director of product development. She is responsible for overseeing the creation of graceful ivory china, crystal, and art glass products. Each piece is the combined vision of Pendergast and the artists she oversees. The products are sold in several channels via direct-mail, catalog, internet, high-end specialty retailers as well
as department stores.
Pendergast is regularly asked to attend signing events. She has also appeared on QVC and the Home Shopping Network to present new products. She has been nominated for five awards from the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers.
In her role she does everything from conceiving a new product idea to selecting the right artists for the project, to critiquing early product samples and approving the final piece for production. All this while ensuring that the finished product fulfills a consumer’s expectation, falls into a target price range, and can be manufactured in the factory (figures standing on one foot are very difficult). Another caveat is
that the figurines must be able to be shipped through the U.S. mail without breaking.
“It’s a challenge, but I really enjoy creating a piece of artwork
that generates an emotional response in the customer,” she says.
Pendergast believes that her experiences at Lafayette—in the classroom, on field trips, as an extern, and studying overseas—
prepared her well for the job.
“During my career, as I’ve met people from other colleges, I’ve
come to realize what a truly amazing place Lafayette is and how much
I learned there,” she says. “Not only was the education outstanding,
but the business interaction and social skills you learn through the diverse programs and opportunities Lafayette offers its students are priceless.”
| 
