New York School of Interior Design’s Fall 2018 Public Programs opens with a talk by Ken Wampler and Paul Kratz of The Alpha Workshops on September 26, discussing the decorative arts services they offer interior designers and architects, including custom decorative paint and plaster finishes, gilding, and on-site art installations. In addition, some of the stunning special projects created by Alpha and featured in the presentation is the recreation of a historically accurate faux marble floor in Gracie Mansion's grand entryway and an intensive restoration of the Prince George Hotel ballroom, including mold-making, casting, gilding and decorative painting.

This year’s annual Michael I. and Patricia M. Sovern Lecture on Design, on the evening of October 11, features architect James Polshek. This event, always a crowd-favorite, is followed by a light reception, and is free to students, staff, faculty and the general public. At this moment the Sovern lecture has sold out, please reach out to be added to the waitlist.

On October 17, Columbia University professors Victoria Rosner and Mary McLeod present an important panel discussion on the impact of women in the fields of architecture and interior design. Joining Victoria and Mary to share their experiences and insights will be Tamara Eaton of Tamara Easton LLC Designs and Mimi Hoang, co-founder and principal of nARCHITECTS. This discussion will look at feminist practices in architecture, design, and beyond, recognizing how our past has informed our present and what changes are in store for future practices.

The second half of the Fall season continues with noted speakers, panels of diverse voices, and award-winning interior designers starting with designer India Hicks and ICAA Board Member Alexa Hampton for a glimpse into India's life and work through the lens of four extraordinary houses, highlighting stunning examples of both traditional and contemporary English design (November 5). New York Magazine's design editor Woody Goodman will be joined by Aaron Garza, and Leonor Mamanna for an evening of behind-the-scenes looks into creating a design book during the golden age of magazines, using Goodman’s new book, May I Come In (November 14).

Following a stunning exhibition at NYSID earlier this year, Pieter Estersohn is back to introduce his new book, Life Along the Hudson: The Historic Country Estates of the Livingston Family. The renowned photographer presents thirty-five sublime country homes overlooking the majestic Hudson River, offering some of the finest examples of stately American architecture built between 1730 and 1946 on November 28. On December 12, renowned architect Bobby McAlpine and his interior design partner Ray Booth discuss the inventive and visionary logistics of making homes. The focus of this lively discussion is about the collaboration, process and practice of design all the while balancing the distinct personalities of each client.

Concluding our fall 2018 public programs, Keia McSwain, president of the Black Interior Designers Network, along with their members, share the real deal on how they’ve overcome adversity in the design industry and how their journey has led them to where they are today in this panel discussion on December 19.