On Thursday, October 29, Pratt Institute will present Legends 2015, an annual scholarship benefit honoring icons of art and design whose works have helped shape the cultural landscape. Hosted this year against the stunning backdrop of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline at the Mandarin Oriental New York, the event raises vital funds for merit and need-based scholarships, as 90 percent of Pratt students receive financial aid to pursue their education.
Legends 2015 will honor distinguished chef Daniel Boulud, influential interior designer Nina Campbell, renowned photographer and filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, and award-winning architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien.
Daniel Boulud, chef-owner of award-winning restaurants and the Feast & Fêtes catering company, is considered one of America’s leading culinary authorities. Since arriving in the United States in 1982, Boulud has become renowned for the contemporary appeal he adds to soulful cooking rooted in the tradition of his native France. Boulud has 16 restaurants, including 12 in the United States. His culinary accolades include James Beard Foundation awards for Outstanding Restaurant; Outstanding Restaurateur; Best Chef, New York City; and Outstanding Chef of the Year. Boulud has been named “Chef of the Year” by The Culinary Institute of America and received the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur from the French government.
Nina Campbell is one of the world’s most respected interior designers, with a keen design sensibility that references both the contemporary and traditional. Based in London, her eponymous interior design business flourishes with commercial and residential projects that are elegant, rich in color, and personally tailored to reflect the client’s needs and lifestyle. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including an American Fashion Award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America for her influence on global style.
Timothy Greenfield-Sanders is a prolific photographer and filmmaker whose work has been displayed in some of the world’s most respected venues. His portraits are in numerous museum collections, including The Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney Museum of American Art, and The National Portrait Gallery, and his work has been exhibited at galleries in the United States and abroad. Greenfield-Sanders has produced and directed 11 films, including a feature documentary about legendary musician Lou Reed that premiered in the United States at The Sundance Film Festival and in Europe at the Berlin Film Festival, and was recognized with a Grammy Award for “Best Music Documentary.” His most recent film, The Women’s List, will air on PBS’s American Masters series on September 25, 2015.
Tod Williams and Billie Tsien are the award-winning husband-and-wife team behind New York firm Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects. Their studio focuses on work for institutions including schools, museums, and not-for-profits. Williams and Tsien have been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2013 National Media of Arts, the highest honor given to artists and art patrons by the federal government, and the 2013 AIA Architecture Firm Award, the highest honor bestowed on an architecture firm by the American Institute of Architects. Notable projects include the LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park, American Folk Art Museum, and David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, all in New York; Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia; and Asia Society in Hong Kong.
The Legends gala begins at 6 PM with a cocktail reception, followed by a 7 PM dinner and awards ceremony. Click here for tickets and contributions.
Photos (left to right): Nina Campbell (Simon Brown); Timothy Greenfield-Sanders (Self-portrait © Timothy Greenfield-Sanders); Daniel Boulud (courtesy of Daniel Krieger); Tod Williams (Jason Smith); Billie Tsien (Jason Smith)