Interior design major gets hands-on experience

An Indiana University of Pennsylvania interior design major from Albrightsville is getting hands-on experience as part of a class in interior design.

Julia Tonelis is a student in an IUP interior design class taught by Dr. Susan Venatta that was asked to develop proposals for design of a co-working space in Punxsutawney.

The class was invited to do the project by Punxsy Connect, a community group that is part of the Punxsutawney Revitalization: Investing, Development and Enhancing group. Punxsutawney is home to one of IUP’s regional campuses and the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts.

Tonelis, daughter of Stacey Natale, is a 2016 graduate of Jim Thorpe Area Senior High School. She is a dean’s list student.

The space, located in the upstairs of a downtown building in Punxsutawney, will accommodate individual desk spaces, offices, a conference room and coworking amenities.

“I am excited for my students to have a truly hands-on experience,” Dr. Venatta said.