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P R AT TFOLIO
Pratt Presents 2015 Public Programs
Dynamic Conversations with Artists, Experts, and Innovators
Clockwise from top: Surface Editor in Chief Spencer Bailey (left) and the Elgort family; L to R: Lou Switzer, Eddie Opara, Bibhu Mohapatra, Erica Eden (M.I.D. ‘02), and J. J. McCorvey; L to R: Dean Andrew Barnes, Salman Rushdie, Laurie Anderson, Pratt Board Chair Bruce Gitlin, and President Thomas F. Schutte.
The New York Calendar Pratt’s signature series of free public programs kicked off its second year with events highlighting luminaries of art, performance, literature, and design whose ideas shape today’s cultural landscape. Last fall’s line-up of events included: “An Evening with the Elgort Family,” copresented by Surface magazine and moderated by Surface Editor in Chief Spencer Bailey, with iconic fashion photographer Arthur Elgort and his wife, Grethe Barrett Holby, founder of American Opera Projects, along with their children, Sophie Elgort, an upand-coming fashion photographer; Warren Elgort, an independent filmmaker and producer; and actor Ansel Elgort, who starred in The Fault in Our Stars and the Divergent film series.
“The Norman Mailer Center Annual Awards and Lecture: At Home in Brooklyn,” honoring Salman Rushdie, recipient of the Norman Mailer Center Lifetime Achievement Award, and celebrating the winners of the High School, Two-Year College, Four-Year College, College Poetry, and Teacher Writing Awards. Gay Talese served as emcee for the evening, which included a conversation between Rushdie and writer Randy Boyagoda. Special guests included Laurie Anderson and Billy Collins. “Diversity in Design,” held at Steelcase’s showroom, with alumna Erica Eden (M.I.D. ’02), director of global design innovation, PepsiCo; Bibhu Mohapatra, founder and creative director, the Bibhu Mohapatra label; Eddie Opara, partner at Pentagram; and Lou Switzer, CEO, the Switzer Group; and moderated by J. J. McCorvey, senior associate editor of Fast Company.