| Laurence S. Cutler | |
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Laurence S. Cutler |
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| Residence | Newport, Rhode Island, New York City |
| Education | University of Pennsylvania, Harvard |
| Occupation | Chairman/CEO and Co-Founder of the National Museum of American Illustration |
| Spouse | Judy Goffman Cutler |
| Website | |
| www.americanillustration.org | |
Laurence S. Cutler AIA, RIBA is an architect, urban designer, historic property developer, author, educator, and advertising executive. Cutler, along with his wife, Judy Goffman Cutler, is co-founder of the National Museum of American Illustration (NMAI) at Vernon Court (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) in Newport, RI; the first national museum devoted exclusively to illustration art.[1] Laurence Cutler is also the Advisory Director to the American Illustrators Gallery, NYC, the nation’s leading illustration art gallery.[2]
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A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, he holds two graduate degrees from Harvard University. A former Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at Harvard University, MIT, and the Rhode Island School of Design, he is one of the nation’s leading architects and urban designers.[3]
In 1966, Mr. Cutler co-founded the award-winning, ECODESIGN International Inc., an interdisciplinary ecology-based consultancy, ahead of its time, but instantly successful due its “green approach” to design, urban planning and construction. ECODESIGN was the first professional services firm with collaborative expertise and principals from the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, city/regional planning, urban design and ecology.
Mr. Cutler was co-principal in charge of such diverse assignments as: $55 billion dollar rebuilding of the former Republic of Biafra; award-winning Chase Manhattan Bank Caribbean Headquarters in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; U.S. Embassy Staff Housing, Lagos; World Bank and US Dept of State urban planning projects; award-winning sugarloaf/USA ski area; award-winning Fire/Police Headquarters, Westford, Ma.; Master Transportation Plan for Denver and award-winning Master Plan for Portland, Oregon-The Riverfront Scheme; six television stations for Kaiser Industries; Bally's Park Place Casino and Hotel at Atlantic City; and Principal Consultant to the Ministry of Defence, for the $2 Billion Nigerian Army Barracks 1974 project, amongst many other projects of note.[4]
In 1972, ECODESIGN was acquired by Combustion Engineering Inc. ($65 billion NYSE company now part of ABB) and Cutler built the division into a multinational practice with subsidiary companies in Europe, Africa, South America and the Middle East. Mr. Cutler later reacquired ECODESIGN to undertake private ventures which included founding a charitable organization providing funding for childhood Leukemia and AIDS research. He was also a general partner of Special Places International LP, specializing in environmentally sensitive and unique property developments. As an advertising agency board member, Cutler was appointed Group Director-North America for England’s GGT Advertising later acquired by Omnicon, world’s largest advertising agency group.[5]
In 1998, Laurence and art dealer wife Judy, founded the National Museum of American Illustration (NMAI) and the American Civilization Foundation, a nonprofit independent, educational, and aesthetic organization administering and operating the Museum.[6] The NMAI Advisory Board includes Sen. Claiborne Pell (ret.); Yale Prof. Emeritus Vincent Scully Jr.; entertainer Whoopi Goldberg; the late J. Carter Brown, Director Emeritas of the Natl. Gallery of Art; author Tom Wolfe; Today Show Host Matt Lauer; former Secretary of the Navy, Amb. William Middendorf; and artist Jamie Wyeth; amongst 45 other notables. It is located at Vernon Court (1898) in Newport, a Beaux Arts 18th century French chateaux listed on the National Register of Historic Places and considered one of “the ten most beautiful mansions in America.” [7]
The American Imagist Collection housed at The National Museum of American Illustration comprises the largest private collection of Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, J.C. Leyendecker, Charles Dana Gibson, Maxfield Parrish and many other major illustrators from the 'Golden Age of American Illustration.'[8][9]
In 1994, Cutler co-founded ARTShows and Products (ASaP), exhibition organizers, fine art publishers, licensors, and derivative art developers, operating in 42 countries as ASaP Worldwide. ASaP represents JC Leyendecker, Maxfield Parrish, Post-Impressionist artist Paul Cézanne, and others. Cutler is Advisory Director to the American Illustrators Gallery of NYC, the nation’s leading illustration art gallery for original paintings from ‘The Golden Age of American Illustration.’
Laurence Cutler us a winner of several grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Harvard's prestigious Alpha Rho Chi Medal, a Fullbright-Hayes Grant, Harvard scholarships and many international design awards in architecture and urban design.
Laurence S. Cutler currently spends his time with his wife, Judy Goffman Cutler, between New York City and Newport, Rhode Island.