LEGENDS 2010: A Pratt Institute Scholarship Benefit on October 20th. at 7 World Trade, NYC

Pratt sign

On October 20th, Pratt Institute held its Legends 2010 Scholarship Benefit, honoring fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, visual artist Ellsworth Kelly, and philanthropist/arts patron Emily Fisher Landau.

Tommy Hilfiger and Dee Hilfiger

Emily Fisher Landau

More than 400 supporters attended Pratt's largest annual scholarship benefit, raising an unprecedented $560,000. Since 1999 the Legend Awards have been presented each year to outstanding recipients in the art and design world whose achievements reflect Pratt's values. The gala, hosted by Pratt President Thomas F. Schutte and Board of Trustees Chair Mike Pratt, was held atop 7 World Trade Center.

The event was co-chaired by Pratt Trustees Kurt Andersen and Amy Cappellazzo, and Pratt friend Marjorie Kuhn. Ms. Kuhn's husband, Pratt Trustee James D. Kuhn, delighted supporters with a surprise pledge of $28,000 in honor of his wife. There was another notable donation of $10,000 which came from Buckingham Capital Management Chairman Larry Leeds in honor of Tommy Hilfiger.

Amy Cappellazzo

Museum of Modern Art President Emeritus Agnes Gund gave a warm introduction to her friend Ellsworth Kelly by acknowledging his many accomplishments before presenting him with his award. Kelly, who attended Pratt in the 1940s, said “I want to thank Pratt for putting me on the road to becoming an artist.”

Social Life Magazine Editor-in-Chief Devorah Rose and LaQuan Smith

Tommy Hilfiger was presented his award by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Phillips-Van Heusen Emanuel Chirico. Hilfiger accepted his award by speaking of luminaries from his past, present, and future who supported him in life and at the event including his wife Dee Hilfiger; Chirico and his wife Joanne; Martine and Prosper Assouline; Leeds; Mohan Murjani; Guy and Shawanda Vickers; and George Lois, art director, designer, author, and Pratt alumnus, and his wife Rosemary.

Designer Bill Katz and Artist/Painter Francesco Clemente

Director of Universal Limited Art Editions Bill Goldston introduced Emily Fisher Landau on behalf of Leonard Lauder, who was unable to attend following unexpected minor back surgery. Landau spoke of her keen eye for art and quipped —“You could take me into any gallery with art around the room and I could tell you which was the best. And that was usually the one the artist wasn’t selling.”

Guests included Jo Carole Lauder, philanthropist; Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, arts advocate and author, and Ambassador Carl Spielvogel; Robert Siegel, principal and founding partner, Gwathmey Siegel and Associates Architects and Pratt alumnus; Devorah Rose, editor-in-chief of Social Life magazine; artists Francesco Clemente, Glenn Ligon, and Edward Mapplethorpe.

Legends 2010 was hosted by Pratt President Thomas F. Schutte and Board of Trustees Chair Mike Pratt. Pratt Trustees Kurt Andersen and Amy Cappellazzo along with Pratt friend Marjorie Kuhn served as co-chairs for the event.

Klara Isabella Varosy and Karen Stone

Pratt Industrial Design Chair Steve Diskin with Klara Isabella Varosy

Current undergraduate industrial design student Klara Varosy designed the Pratt Legends Awards, and was on hand to present the honorees with the awards she worked to create months in advance of the event.

John Leventhal and Rosanne Cash perform

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne Cash

 

The Legends 2010 ceremony was brought to a close with an acoustic set by Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Rosanne Cash accompanied by husband John Leventhal.
Followed by a set by DJ Derrick Adams with special guest Mickalene Thomas, both graduates of Pratt Institute.

Desserts

Desserts

Desserts

Slideshow of all the pics and here is a direct link http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetannie4u/sets/72157625197278965/with/5149915343/