Remembering Ann Kale
Colleagues will gather October 13 to remember and honor Ann Kale, a brilliant lighting designer, mentor, and friend. She has left an indelible mark on our industry and on the built environment in New York City, Santa Barbara, and beyond.
Ann Kale was a true artist of technical precision and ingenuity, creativity, and vision. She transformed spaces with light, creating impactful environments that won numerous awards. A California native, Ann began her career in NYC some 40 years ago. After founding Ann Kale Associates, she shared an office with her husband, architect Bob Kupiec, and a home in Park Slope that eventually welcomed their daughter, Julia. As an award-winning lighting designer, she mentored many young designers and taught at Parsons.
Ann Schiffers, CEO at Vode Lighting wrote: “Ann’s spirit will continue to shine through the spaces she touched, the people she mentored, and the standards of excellence she set. Her impact on the world of design, and on all of us who were fortunate enough to know her, will never be forgotten.” Carrie Hawley, Senior Principal and CEO at HLB Lighting Design, added, “I started working with Ann right after she opened Ann Kale Associates, and I remember feeling so fortunate that she selected me to be an IALD intern for her during grad school…. I will always remember her incredible design sensibility, very high commitment to quality, her excitement and willingness to teach me, her humor, her grace, and her style.” Visit the post on LinkedIn to see more tributes.
Ann Kale Associates moved to Santa Barbara, CA, in 2003, a community with extraordinarily strict design codes. Her firm made significant contributions to new and historic landmarks, such as the Lobero Theater, Santa Barbara Courthouse, MOXI Children’s Museum, Music Academy of the West, Paseo Nuevo, and the Hotel Californian. In New York, her work can be seen at Riverside Memorial Chapel, and the Spitzer School of Architecture. Last year she was honored with a Lumen West Award of Excellence for the spectacular Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts – Steinmetz Hall in Orlando, FL.
Please join a celebration of the life and career of Ann Kale, on Sunday, October 13, 2:00pm – 6:00pm, at the Picnic House in Prospect Park (40 West Dr., Brooklyn, NY). Tributes and toasts will be shared along with light appetizers.
