Dynamic Symposium on Women’s Magazines at Rochester Institute of Technology: The work of a pioneering designer sets the tone for critical discussion on the contemporary magazine scene
On Thursday, May 5, 2005, RIT Libraries and RIT Cary Graphic Arts Press will sponsor the symposium, Magazines for Women: The Legacy of Cipe Pineles. Cipe Pineles was the first woman art director of long standing whose work at Seventeen, Glamour, Charm, and Mademoiselle in the 1940s—50s set the standard for the appearance of women’s magazines in ensuing decades. RIT Libraries holds the Cipe Pineles design archive, and RIT Cary Graphic Arts Press is concurrently publishing a chapbook on her work, which will debut at the event. This symposium will examine Pineles’s contributions, and look at the state of contemporary women’s magazines in our culture. The event will take place in RIT’s Ingle Auditorium.
Magazines for Women: The Legacy of Cipe Pineles will be an all-day event with the morning session centering on the history of women’s magazines and the life of Cipe Pineles. Speakers will include Mary Ellen Zuckerman, author of A History of Popular Women’s Magazines in the United States, 1792—1995, and Dean of the College of Business, SUNY Geneseo; Martha Scotford, author of Cipe Pineles: A Life of Design, and Professor of Graphic Design, North Carolina State University; and Estelle Ellis Rubinstein, former Promotions Director of Seventeen and Charm, and President of Business Image, Inc.
The afternoon session will highlight the contemporary scene with RIT Communication Professor Bruce Austin, speaking about the role of magazines in mass media. This will be followed by a dynamic panel of staff of contemporary women’s magazines, including Laurie Henzel, Co-Publisher and Creative Director of BUST Magazine; Chalkley Calderwood Pratt, whose wide-ranging experience includes work at Real Simple, Ms. and O; Holland Utley, Design Director of Glamour; and LaVon Leak-Wilks, Senior Art Director of Essence.
The day will conclude with a book launch celebration for Cipe Pineles: Two Remembrances, published by RIT Cary Graphic Arts Press. This reception will be held at an exhibition of Pineles’s work in RIT Libraries. Author Estelle Ellis Rubinstein will be on hand for book signing.
Magazines for Women… is presented by RIT Libraries, and is co-sponsored by RIT Cary Graphic Arts Press; School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, College of Imaging Arts and Sciences; School of Design, College of Imaging Arts and Sciences; William A. Kern Endowment in Communications, Department of Communication, College of Liberal Arts; RIT Women’s Center; Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs; Commission for Promoting Pluralism; the Northstar Center; and the Women’s Studies Program, College of Liberal Arts.
The event is free and open to the public. For details and updates regarding the symposium, please go to http://wally.rit.edu/cary/magazines