Page 18 - CMA PROfiles Spring 2019

FEATURED SHOP: CK VALENTI DESIGNS

“These are unique fixtures that not just anyone can build, and it takes a certain level

of respect and finesse to work in that environment. People are contributing valuable
art to the museum, and it's important to understand how to display that art safely

and show respect for it.” — Kate Valenti

In 2007, they decided to move out of James Bond-type briefcases with switches landed on their doorstep looking for help.
the garage. They purchased an industrial and wiring in them, etc. It could be a little
condo, a decision that became stressful painful, but it helped us stay in business.” FINDING THEIR NICHE
when the market crashed soon after. When CK Valenti Designs began working
They heard estimates that as many as 200 on museums, the requests usually
Initially, their business focused on wood cabinet shops went out of business in involved wood and metal work, but
and metal fabrication, but then Chris’s Arizona during this period, so they were museums are now incorporating many
former company asked for help creating grateful for the trade show business and more interactive features to attract
tradeshow demo displays. the silver lining that came with it. younger crowds.

They agreed, and Chris soon realized “I learned that I enjoyed being able to “We’re doing exhibits with tablets
that he had the perfect combination of use my engineering background in my controlling motors and lights, so once
skills for this work because he had a foot fabricating work,” Chris says. Though again I’m relying on my engineering
in both worlds — he could create what he had been certain about leaving his degree,” says Chris.
the clients needed and also speak their paperwork-heavy engineering job, “it still
engineering language. felt like a loss,” he says. “I thought, For the Fiesta Bowl Museum in Scottsdale,
‘I went to college for this, and I’m not they were asked to build floating shelves
“When the 2008 crash came, no one was going to use it again.’ Now I’m finding that with no exposed hardware to hold football
doing kitchens or entertainment centers,” my degree pays off every day.” helmets from each college football team
Chris says. “They either didn’t have the in the country. Each helmet was wired
money for those projects or they were Thanks to the experience blending his with LED lights, and visitors can use a
holding on to it. So the residential work two skillsets through the trade show tablet to select a given helmet. When they
went away, and what carried us through work, Chris Valenti had become the make a selection, the helmet lights up and
those years was the display business: perfect collaborator by the time Mike Fox plays the fight song for that school.

16 PROFILES SPRING 2019