Magic draft events are a popular and exciting way for card game enthusiasts to come together and compete. In my area, there are several places that regularly host these events, providing a great opportunity for players to showcase their skills and strategies. **Magic draft events** in my area are organized by local game stores and attract a diverse crowd of players, from casual fans to serious competitors. One of the main attractions of these events is the unpredictability of the drafting process. Each player is given a set number of booster packs and must choose cards from these packs to build their own deck. This creates an element of surprise and forces players to think on their feet, adapting their strategies based on the cards they have available.

Pratt institute mascot

It took us more than three years and a pandemic to discover it. We got used to walking around it, referencing it as a meeting point, and enjoyed the public life around it. However, we never stopped to observe the cannon.

On one of our last days at Pratt before the shutdown, a 30-second stop to look at the cannon revealed an engraving, “SE PUSO ESTE GRANO EN SBRE DE 1859 HABANA” 1 . This cannon was acquired from Havana, our hometown. The Cuban presence at Pratt goes back 120 years in the past. After that surprising discovery, we asked classmates, friends, and faculty what they knew about the history of the cannon, but it was unclear for many.

We got answers like, “I think it’s from the Civil War,” “It might be a sculpture from a former student some time ago,” “I haven’t thought about it…,” or “a cannon, what cannon?” It was an embarrassing discovery for all of us-- that the cannon had been on campus since 1899 (Norton, 1899)-- yet there was so little known or written about it.

On Pratt Institute’s Monthly from November 1899 - June 1990, a brief description of recent acquisitions and improvements to the Campus, includes the cannon, described as “a stranger from a foreign land is daily passed by the hundreds who cross the pavement to the library building…Once a terror that perhaps frowned grimly from the Morro [Castle of Morro, Havana], it is now valued for the beauty of design which some Spanish artificer gave it” (Norton, 1899).

According to the Report of Chief of Ordinance of the War Department (1899), the cannon is one of three, five-anda-half inches bore bronze cast cannons appropriated from the form the Castle of Morro in Havana during the Spanish- American War. The cannon was cast in Sevilla, Spain and 43,000 pounds. Its inscription describes that it was made by the well known 18th-century bronze artisans Voie and Abet “VOIE I. ABET FECIT X. SEVILLA ANNO D. 1720” 2 (de Salas, 1831). The beauty and rarity of its bronze-founder’s art might be one of the major reasons for the purchase by the Pratt Board of Trustees only 11 years after the institute’s founding. “Beautifully cut bands of ornaments surround the barrel, and the handles are in the forms of dolphins . its lines and parts are admirably proportioned”(Norton, 1899).

In 1939, a competition to create the mascot that would symbolize Pratt Institute resulted in James Cooper’s winning idea, the Cannoneers. The “Data Board,” a publication of the then School of Science and Technology referred to as “the strength and character of the ‘Cannoneer’ is symbolic of the spirit and foresight that guided Mr. Charles Pratt in founding the Institute” according to the Pratt Institute Archives Instagram post (Pratt Institute, 2016). Oddly, there was no reference to the artifact that had already been installed on campus for forty years.

The photo archives at the Brooklyn Library has a collection of images that include this cannon during the 1950s, and reference its connection to the students as “the trophy which gives Pratt varsity teams their nickname, ‘Cannoneers’…” (Brooklyn Public Library, 195?).

We also found references to the cannon on the social media page of Pratt’s Alumni, which confirms its place in the institute’s collective memory. A 1971 photo from alum Robert Cohen Wilkoff shows a defaced, or altered, with some commenting about its “many psychedelic repaintings,” and the cannon being “completely painted in a hot neon fuzzy pink…like it was covered in pink pop rocks.” One comment makes a reference to its Spanish origins, citing the “frat boys used to paint and repaint the cannon,” where the commenter “was happy to see the thing stripped and shined.” Later acknowledging the “question of what an old Spanish cannon stolen during the Spanish American War has to do with Pratt Institute. Maybe it should be returned to Cuba or wherever it was stolen from” (Pratt Institute Alumni, 2019).

In 2015, Pratt Institute’s Cannoneer mascot got a redesign. Designer Wayland Chew states that the update “provides history and context to the iconic cannon located on campus” (Pratt Institute, 2015). However, despite the artifacts’ notable place on campus for over a century, it is still not acknowledged on the list of works of the Pratt Institute’s Sculpture Park.

The cannon is an inherited symbol of Pratt Institute, but maybe we took it for granted. If you pass by and look, indeed it is there, and it is ours.

Norton, Dora Miriam. (1899). Recent Art Acquisitions at Pratt Institute. Pratt Institute Monthly, Vol. VIII, 61-63.

Pratt Institute. (2015, October 15), Pratt Institute Unveils New Mascot Illustration for the Cannoneers. Pratt Institute.

Pratt Institute [@prattinstitutearchives]. (2016, March 17). Ever wonder where the @PrattInstitute mascot - the Cannoneers- originated? Well, the Databoard, a publication of the School of Science and Technology [Photograph]. Instagram.

Pratt Institute Alumni. (2019, August 1). #TBT to 1971! Remember when the Cannon looked like this? Thanks to alumnus Robert Cohen Wilkoff for sharing his photo! [Image attached]. Facebook.

Pratt Athletics Department to Receive a New Visual Identity

Pratt Institute's Athletics Department will receive a new visual identity as part of an overarching effort to evolve the Pratt Athletics brand. A professional design firm, headed by a Pratt alumnus, has been hired to create the new visual identity. One aspect of this overall branding effort includes a new illustration to serve as the mascot for the Pratt Athletics teams, and the Division of Student Affairs is hosting a Mascot Design Competition (MDC) to engage the Pratt community. The submission deadline for entries is June 15, 2015, and all current students, faculty, alumni, and staff are invited to submit artwork for a mascot that will motivate and inspire the Pratt Cannoneers.

The idea to engage the Pratt community in creating a new illustration arose from a charrette that took place in the fall of 2014. Led by the Student Governance Association (SGA), the charrette challenged students to develop a mascot that depicts what the Cannoneers meant to them. There were ten winners and many of those student works are being submitted to the MDC.

“We are very proud that Pratt Institute is one of the very few colleges of art and design to have a competitive sports program,” said Helen Matusow-Ayres, vice president for student affairs. “The Mascot Design Competition is an exciting initiative in which we challenge the talented Pratt community to create a new illustration. We look forward to seeing the submissions and it is exciting to have the students already engaged in what could be the new face of the Cannoneers.”

All entries will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of graphic design professionals and members of the Pratt community, who will select the winning illustration. The artwork selected by the panel will become part of a new visual identity for Pratt Athletics, which will be rolled out over the next year.

The designer of the winning illustration will receive $1,500 and a pair of tickets to Pratt’s Legends Gala in New York City in 2015. The winning design will also be featured online on the Pratt website and in Prattfolio magazine.

For more information about the competition, details on how to enter, submission guidelines, and the judging criteria, please click here.

Pratt Sets a Terrible Example by Crowdsourcing New Mascot Design

I am a proud graduate of Pratt Institute (ComD/Graphic Design, ’92), where I received a solid education from some of the world’s top creative professionals. But, I could not be more disappointed that my alma matter is using a competition to crowdsource the design of a new Athletics Brand Identity for the Institute. It’s shameful that Pratt is engaging in this practice, which is harmful and damaging to designers.

My letter to President Schutte and Vice President for Student Affairs Matusow-Ayres. (Click the image to enlarge and read it.)

It is unacceptable that one of the top design schools in the world is asking hundreds of students, faculty, alumni, and staff to work for free, with the promise that one of them will receive only a fraction of the fair market value of their work. As a member of AIGA, Freelancers Union, and the Graphic Artist’s Guild, as well as a freelance designer, I know firsthand how unfair crowdsourcing is to designers, and how harmful it is to the industry and economy. In fact, the AIGA Position on Spec Work, and the Graphic Artists Guild Code of Fair Practice for the Graphic Communications Industry state each group’s specific opposition to it.

I’ve written to President Thomas F. Schutte, and to Vice President for Student Affairs Helen Matusow-Ayres, asking them to cancel the contest, and conduct the project ethically and fairly. If you would like to join me in expressing your disappointment, you can email them, and tweet to @ PrattInstitute and @GoPrattGo. Pratt should be setting a much better example for its community, especially its students.

Correction: An earlier version of this post omitted the Twitter handle for Pratt Athletics, @GoPrattGo. It has been added.—JC

This creates an element of surprise and forces players to think on their feet, adapting their strategies based on the cards they have available. Magic draft events in my area usually follow a similar format. Players are seated in groups of eight and each group receives three booster packs.

They then take turns choosing cards from these packs, passing them around until all the cards have been selected. This drafting process adds an additional layer of strategy as players must consider not only the cards they want for their own deck but also try to anticipate what cards their opponents might choose. Once the drafting is complete, players use the cards they have selected to construct a deck within certain restrictions, such as a minimum card limit or specific deck-building rules. This deck then becomes their playing deck for the event. The main highlight of Magic draft events is the actual gameplay. Players compete against each other in a Swiss tournament format, where they play a series of matches to determine the winner. These matches are filled with suspense and excitement as players strategize and try to outmaneuver their opponents. Magic draft events in my area often offer prizes for top performers, such as booster packs or store credit. This adds an extra incentive for players to do their best and adds to the overall excitement of the event. Overall, **Magic draft events** in my area provide a great opportunity for card game enthusiasts to come together, test their skills, and have a fun and competitive experience. Whether you are a seasoned player or new to the game, these events offer a welcoming and engaging environment for everyone..

Reviews for "Unleash Your Magic Skills at (Your Area)'s Draft Events"

1. John Doe - 2/5 - I attended a Magic draft event in my area and was incredibly disappointed with the experience. Firstly, the venue was way too small for the number of participants, causing us to feel cramped and uncomfortable throughout the entire event. Secondly, the organization of the event was chaotic at best. The tournament started late, and there was no clear structure or communication from the organizers. This made it difficult to understand the rules and expectations of the event. Overall, I left feeling frustrated and dissatisfied with the whole experience.

2. Jane Smith - 1/5 - I had high hopes for the Magic draft event in my area, but unfortunately, it fell short on all levels. The atmosphere in the gaming space was unwelcoming, with loud and rowdy players dominating the scene. The staff seemed indifferent and unhelpful, offering no assistance or guidance for newcomers like myself. The event lacked any sense of community, and the players' attitudes were rude and uninviting. I will never attend another Magic draft event in this area again.

3. Mark Thompson - 3/5 - The Magic draft event in my area was average at best. While the venue was decent and had enough space for all the participants, the overall organization and structure left much to be desired. The tournament started late, and there were no clear instructions or guidelines provided. Additionally, the draft packs seemed to have been poorly organized and some players ended up with unplayable decks. It was a frustrating experience, but not a total disaster.

4. Sarah Johnson - 2/5 - I was excited to try out a Magic draft event in my area, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The event lacked proper organization and communication. The rounds were not properly timed, and there were long delays between matches. Additionally, the overall atmosphere was lacking energy and enthusiasm, making the event feel dull and unengaging. I hope future events in the area can improve on these aspects to provide a more enjoyable experience for all participants.

Step into the Magical Arena at (Your Area)'s Draft Events