Over the years, I got to know Graham Nickson, the splendidly original English figurative artist who ran the New York Studio School and recently passed away, visiting his studio and writing a catalogue essay for him. Starting in the late 1980s, I lectured now and again in the Studio School’s evening guest program. The ritual, which Graham designed and orchestrated, was simple. Having arranged your topic, you showed up with slides and had a drink with Graham in his art-filled office. At 6 PM, you came downstairs to the auditorium, spoke for an hour, took questions, and then retired upstairs and took your assigned seat to dine with your guests on a meal served by marvelous student chefs. After dessert, you gave them a round of applause, capping an evening of reassuring and quietly inspiring civility.