There will be a memorial service for George Pitts, legendary photographer and Parsons professor, on April 2 from 2:00 – 6:00 PM in the Alvin Johnson/J.M. Kaplan Hall at 66 W. 12th St.
Pitts passed away Saturday, March 4 after a battle with a prolonged illness. He was an integral part of the photo program at Parsons since he joined in 1998. He served different roles in the department, starting as a part-time professor, then becoming full-time, and briefly serving as the chair of the department.
“George meticulously prepared for every course, and was a fierce advocate for his students and their learning,” Joel Towers, the dean of Parsons, wrote in a school-wide email. “The impact he made on the generations of students he taught will continue to inform and shape the field of photography for many years to come.”
In addition to being a beloved teacher and renowned photographer, Pitts was also a longtime photo director of both Vibe and Life magazines. His work has been shown in numerous exhibitions in and out of the US and was published in magazines such as the New York Times Magazine, New York Magazine, and Complex.
Pitts was set to teach a year-long senior thesis class this academic year, but had to stop in October because of his declining health.
“It warms my heart to see and hear all the people he inspired, influenced and guided in his gentle, inimitable way. It breaks my heart that we have lost him. He will indeed be sorely missed,” said Barbara Bordnick, a fellow Parsons photography teacher.
“George was very valuable to our community because he was such a sensitive artist who did his best to make us feel comfortable to express ourselves as we chose,” Jeana Lindo, a senior photography student said. “He didn’t bring his bias to critique. He offered us his understanding and made himself available if we wanted to talk after class. Although we are devastated by this loss, I think he would be proud of us if we continue to make work that is honest and true to ourselves.”
After the news of Pitt’s’ death surfaced, hundreds of former students and colleagues took to social media to express their sadness.
Pitts taught some of the most well-known Parsons photo alumni, such as widely acclaimed photographer, Ryan McGinley, who posted photos of Pitts on his personal Instagram account with the caption, “Teacher, Mentor, Bowie aficionado, Friend. Taught a class at Parsons called ‘Nudity, Sexuality & Beauty in Photography’ that changed my life. RIP #GeorgePitts. You will be missed.”
Colin Stearns, director of the BFA photography, emailed photography students March 6 confirming Pitt’s death and expressing his sadness.
“Personally, I can tell you that simply because you were a Parsons student motivated by photography, he valued you and your creativity, your sophistication and that weird thing about you that made you more you,” Stearns said.
Pitts lived in Brooklyn with his wife, Jan.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the date of George Pitts’ passing. It was March 4, not March 3.
Julia is the current Senior Photo Editor for the Free Press. She is in her senior year at Parsons, majoring in Photography and minoring in Art History. Julia is originally from Boston and is patiently awaiting her return there after college. She is a wiener dog and pizza enthusiast and finds herself most at home when she is near the ocean.
