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School of Visual Arts has unveiled “SVA❤️Milton: The Legacy of Milton Glaser,” an electric new exhibition exploring design giant Milton Glaser’s early life and multifaceted career.  Running through January 15, 2022, the exhibition takes place at the SVA Gramercy Gallery at 209 East 23rd Street. A companion exhibition featuring videos and notable quotes mounted on the walls will be viewable from the sidewalk outside the SVA Flatiron Gallery windows at 133/141 West 21st Street through January 10. 

Organized by SVA BFA Design and BFA Advertising chair Gail Anderson (BFA 1984 Media Arts), SVA Archives director Beth Kleber, 3D Design Chair Kevin O’Callaghan (BFA 1980 Media Arts), design director of SVA’s in-house design studio Visual Arts Press Brian E. Smith (MFA 2006 Design), and assistant to the chair of BFA Design and BFA Advertising Matthew Iacovelli (BFA 2019 Design), in partnership with the Milton Glaser Design Study Center and Archives, the exhibition is an immersive experience that places the enduring influence of Glaser in a real-world context. “SVA❤️Milton” celebrates Glaser’s legacy as a designer and teacher through photographs, audio and original work from the Glaser Archives at SVA.

“SVA❤️Milton” brings the viewer into Glaser’s world with elaborate sets like a record shop with more than 100 of his album covers, a book shop with actual books as well as digital images of book and magazine covers, his many SVA subway posters, his extensive collection of activism art and posters, intricate process work, classroom photos and archival audio recording of his classes at SVA, his desk with all its surroundings from his office, photographs from childhood and his Push Pin Studios days and much more. 

This exhibition is part of SVA’s year-long series of tributes to Glaser, a longtime faculty member and former acting chairman of the College’s Board, who passed away on his 91st birthday in June 2020. Glaser was a co-founder of noted design firm Push Pin Studios and New York magazine. Born in the Bronx and an alumnus of Cooper Union, Glaser is known for many significant logos, including the famous “I ♥ NY” design. Earlier this year, SVA released the first of two editions of The Glaser Gazette, an original publication featuring stories, visuals and anecdotes about his work and legacy with SVA. The second and final issue will be released in January 2022. 

The SVA Gramercy Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 10:00am – 6:00pm. All visitors to the Gramercy Gallery must pre-register through an RSVP link no less than 48 hours prior to the selected event date and time. Registered visitors must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and be masked for the duration of their visit.