KINGSTON, R.I. — January 17, 2001 — Margaret Walch, director of the Color Association of the United States, will speak on the art and science of color forecasting at the University of Rhode Island. The lecture, “Fashion in the 21st Century: Multicolored Patterning and Special Color Effects in New Materials and Blends,” will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 4 p.m. in URI’s Quinn Auditorium. One of the top color forecasters in the country, Walch can explain the often mysterious business of color forecasting. Both a science and an art, color forecasting is done by industry specialists to predict which colors consumers will want two years in the future. Fiber and fabric manufacturers, textile designers, fashion designers, and interior designers work from these forecasts to provide retailers with a uniform color story for each season. Often, the preferences are cyclical in nature, and predictability as well as artistry is involved. Walch has authored several books on color, including The Color Source Book, The Color Compendium, and Living Colors: The Definite Guide to Color Palettes Through the Ages. She has a bachelor’s degree in history and fine arts from Swarthmore College, and a master’s degree in social history from New York University. The lecture is sponsored by the URI Honors and Visiting Scholars Program and the Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design Department. It is free and open to the public. For Information: Linda Welters, 401-874-4525, Dave Lavallee, 401-874-2116, Jennifer Smith, 401-874-2116