First Retrospective in 20 Years of Master Photographer Irving Penn, Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty, Opens February 24 at Nashville’s Frist Center

Irving Penn (1917–2009), known for his iconic fashion, portrait and still life images that appeared in Vogue magazine, ranks as one of the twentieth century’s most prolific and influential photographers. The first retrospective of his work in 20 years, Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty conveys the extraordinary breadth and legacy of the American artist and will be on view at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts from February 24 to May 29, 2017.

Irving Penn. Young Boy, Pause Pause, American South, 1941, printed 2001. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Irving Penn Foundation. © The Irving Penn Foundation

Organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Merry Foresta, the museum’s curator of photography from 1983 to 1999, the exhibition contains more than 140 photographs, including the debut of 100 photographs recently donated by The Irving Penn Foundation and several previously unseen or never-before-exhibited photographs. Penn’s renown as a fashion photographer is matched by the recognition of his innovative and insightful portraits, still lifes, nudes, and travel photographs. The exhibition features work from all stages of Penn’s career, including street scenes from the late 1930s, photographs of the American South from the early 1940s, celebrity portraits, fashion photographs, and Penn’s stunning late color work.

Irving Penn. Bee, New York, 1995, printed 2001. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Irving Penn Foundation. © The Irving Penn Foundation

In a career that spanned nearly 70 years, Penn’s aesthetic and technical skill earned him accolades in both the artistic and commercial worlds. He was a master of both black-and-white and color photography, and his revival of platinum printing in the 1960s and 1970s was a catalyst for significant change in the art world. He successfully crossed the chasm that separated magazine and fine-art photography, narrowing the gap between art and fashion. “Penn adopted a workmanlike approach to making pictures,'” says Frist Center Chief Curator Mark Scala. “But even in his most commercial images, he upended convention with a penchant for formal surprise.”

Irving Penn. Woman in Moroccan Palace (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn), Marrakech, 1951, printed 1969. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist. © Condé Nast

Schooled in painting and design, Penn eventually chose photography as his life’s work. His portraits and fashion photographs defined elegance, yet throughout his career, he also transformed mundane objects—storefront signs, food, cigarette butts, street debris—into memorable images of unexpected, often surreal, beauty.

Irving Penn. Issey Miyake Fashion: White and Black, New York, 1990, printed 1992. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Irving Penn Foundation. © The Irving Penn Foundation

Business: First Ever “America’s LGBT Economy” Report Suggests LGBT Businesses Add $1.7 Trillion to US Economy:

National Gay & Lesbian Chamber Of Commerce Snapshot Of Certified LGBT Business Enterprises Demonstrates Tens Of Thousands Of Jobs Created Across All Business Sectors

The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, has released the first ever snapshot demonstrating the economic and social impact of America’s LGBT business owners and entrepreneurs. The “America’s LGBT Economy” report explores the revenues, types, sizes, and geography of LGBT-owned businesses currently certified by the NGLCC, as well as the number of jobs they create and the personal narratives of successful LGBT business owners who reflect the very best about America’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is the largest global advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people.

“America’s LGBT Economy” Report by National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce reveals LGBT Business Enterprises contribute billions to the US economy and create tens of thousands of jobs. More at www.nglcc.org 

Key findings in the “America’s LGBT Economy” report include:

• In 2015, NGLCC certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs) alone contributed over $1.15 billion to the US economy; if all estimated LGBT-owned businesses in America are projected, their contribution to the economy exceeds $1.7 trillion;
• Over 900 Certified LGBTBEs have created over 33,000 jobs in the United States;
• LGBTBEs have an average revenue of $2,475,642, with at least one LGBTBE reporting $180,000,000 in annual gross;
• Average LGBT enterprises have been in business at least 12 years— far above national average, as some reports state nearly half of small businesses fail in their first five years;
• The number of non-white LGBT business owners continues to increase annually—now at over 17%, bolstered by NGLCC’s leadership in the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC) which brings together all minority business communities;

“The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is elated to be able to evidence through this report what we’ve observed since our founding fifteen years ago: that America’s LGBT business owners are driving our economy upward and deserve every opportunity to keep creating jobs and innovating our industries. The estimated 1.4 million LGBT business owners NGLCC advocates for have truly earned a place at the equality table,” said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson. “If you are an LGBT business owner and not yet certified, you’re leaving opportunities on the table to help your business and our economy grow. For the LGBT community, this also means we are missing out more accurate data, role models, job creators, and future success stories that prove ‘If you can buy it, a Certified LGBTBE can supply it.‘”

In early 2004, NGLCC created a best-in-class diversity certification program, making the organization the exclusive national third-party certifying body for LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs). Because of NGLCC’s advocacy, over a third of the Fortune 500, many top federal agencies (including the Small Business Administration, Department of Transportation, and the Department of Agriculture), the Commonwealths of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, major urban municipalities (including King County, WA; Essex County, NJ; and San Francisco, CA), and the Public Utilities Commission of California actively seek out certified LGBT businesses.

“These numbers tell the real story,” said Bob Witeck, President of Witeck Communications, a certified LGBTBE that served as the analyst for this report. “While our community’s $917 billion spending power highlights our market clout, the jobs, tax revenues and profits we create as employers and entrepreneurs define our full economic value to America. We are just beginning to scratch the surface of our potential.“

“At NGLCC, we have nearly 200 corporate and government partners that understand not only the value of the LGBT dollar, but the economic imperative of inclusivity and LGBT visibility in their supply chains and marketplace. This groundbreaking report proves our NGLCC philosophy that economic visibility, just like social visibility, is essential in building a diverse and inclusive society,” said NGLCC Co-Founder and CEO Chance Mitchell.

The “America’s LGBT Economy” report can be viewed and downloaded at www.nglcc.org/report

 

Marcus® Hotels & Resorts’ Premier Properties Offer One-of-a-Kind Valentine’s Day Experiences for Couples Nationwide

Adventure, Romance, Bohemian, Luxury Packages and More Available for Every Kind of Couple

The Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a nationally recognized hotel management company, is helping couples celebrate the most romantic holiday of the year with one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day packages. These packages incorporate luxurious accommodations paired with unforgettable experiences at some of the company’s top-rated properties, including The Garland, The Platinum Hotel & Spa, The Pfister Hotel, Hilton Milwaukee City Center, InterContinental Milwaukee, Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington, and the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.

Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 18 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. The company is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, it creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, including Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse and Miller Time Pub & Grill. The company is also growing its experiential restaurant concept, The SafeHouse, with a Chicago location opening in early 2017.

“At Marcus Hotels & Resorts, we go above and beyond to make each experience unique and extraordinary for every guest,” said Joseph Khairallah, president and chief operating officer of Marcus Hotels & Resorts. “Valentine’s Day is a memorable occasion in and of itself. Pair it with an incredible experience at a Marcus Hotels & Resorts property and you’ll never forget the magic.”

Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ 2017 “Extreme” Valentine’s Day packages are now on sale, including:

The “Love the Ride” Package, Including a New Harley-Davidson Motorcycle. If you have a passion for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, this Valentine’s package is for you. The “Love the Ride” experience includes:

• A brand new, 2017 limited edition Harley-Davidson Iron 833 from House of Harley
• Two-night stay in a luxury suite at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, a AAA Four-Diamond historic hotel
• Private tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum
• $500 worth of Harley-Davidson gear from House of Harley
• Harley-Davidson-themed in-room amenity

Package price: $14,800+ taxes, gratuity, title, license. Package based on availability. To reserve, call 414.390.1854 or visit: Love the Ride – House of Harley Package

Smooches for Your Pooches Package at The Pfister Hotel (Photo: Business Wire)

Smooches for Your Pooches. Celebrating the Love of Your Favorite Four Legged Friends. The top rated and pet friendly AAA Four-Diamond Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wis. is again offering the “Smooches for Your Pooches” package that celebrates the hotel’s affection for four-legged friends. This package includes:

• Special wedding for two pups, wardrobes will be provided
• Officiant to oversee ceremony / “marriage certificate” for two canines
• Professional photography package by Front Room Photography
• A gourmet happy hour featuring food and beverage for up to 10 humans and their canines
• Two-night stay in a luxury suite

Package price: $3,650 + taxes and gratuity; Package based on availability. To reserve, call 414.390.1854 or visit: Smooches for Your Pooches

“Capture Your Love” Package at the InterContinental Milwaukee. What better way to celebrate your love by capturing it with a full day of pampering and glamour at one of Milwaukee’s most stylish hotels. This package includes:

• One-night stay in an InterContinental Milwaukee suite

• Couple’s photo session with Front Room Photography at the InterContinental Milwaukee
• Hair and make-up by The Pfister Hotel’s award-winning WELL Spa + Salon
• Salsa dance lessons by Francis Annan of Salsabrosa Dance Company
• Private, candlelight dinner for two in an intimate space in the InterContinental Milwaukee with wine pairings, dessert and bubbly. Four-course dinner prepared for the special couple by the hotel’s executive chef.

Package price: $1,950 + taxes and gratuity; Package based on availability. To reserve, call 414.390.1854 or visit: Capture Your Love