Louis Henry Mitchell with Trevor Crafts: Qreative Evolution: How to Question Everything to Find Your Creative Fulfillment

​Join Louis Henry Mitchell—the creative director of character design for Sesame Workshop—for a conversation about his book Qreative Evolution: How to Question Everything to Find Your Creative Fulfillment with Emmy® Award–winning producer, creator, and author Trevor Crafts.

This event will take place in person at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on the 7th Floor.

When he was six years old, Louis Henry Mitchell first saw Muppet creator Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog on the Ed Sullivan Show, and a spark was lit that would ultimately lead him to his position at Sesame Workshop. From his early days in comic book illustration, to entertainment design, and finally his dream job, Louis's journey has inspired him to encourage others to follow their heart and create their life with purpose. His belief that everyone is an artist is the core principle behind Qreative Evolution. Louis shares a completely new way of looking at talent, creativity, and living our fullest potential, and gives readers the tools and support needed before the creative process even begins.

Taking lessons and practices from his own life, Louis provides encouragement and guidance to people of all types. Whether they're writers or poets, sculptors or graphic designers, dancers or puppeteers, or even those not working in artistic fields, people--creative or otherwise--are similar in many ways, most notably in the struggles with self-doubt, how to get motivated, and how to stay energized and passionate about their creativity. Louis knows what it's like to have the odds stacked against him at every level, but consistent support from a devoted mother taught him to ignore the negative voices and that "naysayers do not get a vote."

Through enchanting stories and wisdom gained over his successful and fulfilling career, Louis demonstrates what we can achieve when we are loyal to our creative calling, and how we continue to evolve as works of art throughout our lifetimes.

To join the event in person | Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form 30 minutes before the program.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Louis Henry Mitchell is the creative director of character design at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, where he directs and oversees all aspects of character art. Most notably, Louis designed the character Julia, the first Sesame Street Muppet on the autism spectrum. He has been invited to speak throughout the United States as well as in the Galapagos Islands, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Australia. Louis attended the School of Visual Arts and the Art Students League and resides in Rego Park, Queens, New York.

Trevor Crafts is an Emmy® Award–winning producer, creator, and author whose passion for bold storytelling, striking visuals, and unforgettable characters have made him a distinctive voice in the entertainment industry. Most recently, Trevor produced the Emmy® Award–winning and Critics Choice–nominated documentary Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. In addition to his accomplishments in film production, he is the author of The Unseen Photos of Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street, published by Abrams offering a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the documentary and the show, while highlighting the groundbreaking efforts of its creators through rare and previously unpublished photographs. Crafts’ talent also flourishes in the realm of children’s literature with the recently authored illustrated book The Apple that Fell Far from the Tree. Previously, Crafts co-created The Not-So-Secret Society, a graphic novel that combines adventure, friendship, and problem-solving in an engaging and educational format for young readers.

Creativity in our Collection

• Borrow: NYPL Catalog


• E-Book app: SimplyE, available on iOS and Android


• This event will also include signing and sales of Qreative Evolution by our Library Shop.

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

In-Person

• Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue.


• You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.


• This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

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Please submit all press inquiries to Connor Goodwin at least 48 hours before the event: email connorgoodwin@nypl.org.
 

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All programs are subject to change or cancellation. All programs are subject to recording and photography.

The 7 Stories Up Series at SNFL is made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).