LITTLE ROCK – Peter MacKeith will present a lecture titled “Aalto’s Identities” on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the Arkansas Arts Center, 501 E. 9th St., in Little Rock. The lecture will begin at 6 p.m. in the center’s Lecture Hall, following a 5:30 p.m. reception.

MacKeith, an internationally recognized design educator, became dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture in July 2014. Previously, he was a professor and associate dean at the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in Saint Louis. Prior to his tenure there, he directed the Master of Architecture-International Program at Helsinki University of Technology, now Aalto University.

MacKeith has been part of design practices both here in the United States and in Finland, a country where he lived and worked for a number of years. In 2014, MacKeith was recognized by the President of Finland for his contributions to the country's culture and architecture with the Insignia of Knight, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

MacKeith will offer an informed perspective on the life and work of Alvar Aalto (1898-1976), Finland’s foremost 20th century architect and designer, and an international icon in his own right. Iterations of furniture, textiles and glassware designed by Aalto continue to have a significant presence in American homes and numerous public spaces.

The 2014-15 Art of Architecture lecture series is sponsored by the Architecture and Design Network, a non-profit organization, with support from the Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Arkansas Arts Center, the Fay Jones School of Architecture and community members.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information contact ardenetwork@icloud.com.