This two-day symposium honored the life and legacy of Gene DePrez, civic innovator and visionary founder of Rochester’s Urbanarium.
Day 1 was held at the Rochester Institute of Technology. RIT Archives presented a pop-up exhibit on the history of the Urbanarium, a local organization founded by Gene DePrez that sought to increase citizen engagement in Rochester in the 1960s and 70s.
The exhibit corresponded with a reception, followed by a keynote address and a screening of DePrez's 1968 film, Think About It.
Day 2 was held at the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County and featured panel discussions exploring civic engagement and an action-oriented workshop.
Design Decisions
To honor Gene DePrez's long link with the Rochester Institute of Technology, I have followed some of the college's classic branding. This includes their signature orange and use of Neue Haas Grotesk. To illustrate his bridge to the greater Rochester community, I created its skyline in the shade of the city's official blue.
Impact
I was able to visit and take some photos at day one's pop-up event. There was an educational and inspiring booth celebrating the accomplishments of the Urbanarium. Many past co-workers of Gene DePrez took the time to stop and interact with this booth to share stories or admiration for his work. In the rare case, his peers and friends would bring things of their own to show. I was so lucky to witness this celebration of his work.
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