Harvey Vahram Pranian

On March 30, 2026, after many years living with the effects of multiple strokes and advanced dementia, Harvey Vahram Pranian’s spirit took flight.

Harvey Jr. was born with tremendous promise, on November 3, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan, a first-generation Armenian American. His parents, Harvey Sr. and Louise (née Kezlarian), both narrowly escaped the Armenian Genocide, each entering the United States through Ellis Island. They later met, married, and settled in Detroit, where extended family also lived. Harvey Sr. worked as a tailor, and Louise as a dressmaker.

A spirited child from the start, Harvey was well known as a prankster. As an adult, he delighted in sharing stories of his misadventures and impish escapades. A favorite among his children was the tale of drag racing his Corvette across the frozen lake where he grew up. At Bloomfield Hills High School Harvey was a three-sport athlete, a letterman, quarterback & captain of the varsity football team; he also competed in tennis, was the class president for two years, president of the student council and a member of the choir.

In 1960, after graduating from Albion College with majors in English, philosophy and political science, Harvey was accepted to Yale Divinity School, where he studied theology with Richard Niebuhr. Harvey spent a year studying in Scotland at the University of Edinburgh. He would fondly recall camping on the shores of Loch Ness, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster.

Deeply influenced by his studies and the injustices he witnessed in the early 1960s, Harvey moved to Chicago in 1963, after graduating Yale, to work with youth gang members (the Disciples and the Blackstone Rangers) at a Black church on the South Side, where he witnessed the race riots first hand.

Harvey was a passionate individual with a wealth of artistic talent, a sense of whimsy, and a keen eye. Before creating his business, he made jewelry which was represented and sold by the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art. While still making jewelry, he began collecting art and objects, often purchasing pieces from street artists, including Lee Godie. His career began to take shape, bolstered by his creative instincts and passions. In 1971, he opened Harvey Antiques, a store on Chicago Avenue in Evanston, which he operated for close to 30 years. Focusing on pre-Victorian, early American furniture, jewelry and Folk Art, the shop became renowned, attracting dealers, architects, and designers from across the country. Over the years, as Harvey participated in major furniture and design shows nationwide, he became widely sought after as an expert in his field.

Harvey’s spirit of giving back and his love for the arts came together when his children were students in Evanston’s District 65 (Katy at Nichols and Jon at ETHS). Inspired to celebrate student creativity, Harvey approached Katy’s art teacher, Carla Kenny. Over time, their collaboration grew into Young Evanston Artists (YEA!), an annual festival showcasing the visual and performing arts created by Evanston’s youth. What began with student artwork displayed on the sidewalk outside Harvey’s store soon expanded, eventually moving to Raymond Park, where it continues today.

Harvey was a force of nature who, over the years, touched many lives. When Katy shared news of his passing on social media, she was deeply moved to see her father through the eyes of the community:

“An icon in the arts community.” “A force to be reckoned with, with a true lust for life.” “I thought the world of your dad. He was one of a kind and had a very kind soul.” “Harvey was one of my favorites—he taught me to see things in a different way. That was his magic.” “A mover and a shaker.” “Harvey always had the warmest smile when he greeted someone. A very special man.” “Harvey contributed so much of his life to our community. He had such a fierce love for the arts and a gentle spirit that lifted others.” “Harvey is one of our twenty one first cousins' favorites. We all looked up to him growing up.” “Such a kind and gracious man.”

At the 30th anniversary of YEA!, then-Mayor Steven Hagerty presented Harvey with a proclamation in recognition of his impact. By that time, more than 30,000 Evanston students had benefited from Harvey’s leadership through YEA!. Today, YEA! is overseen by the Open Studio Project.

This year’s YEA! Festival 2026 will be held at Raymond Park on Saturday, May 16, where Hope Washinushi, the YEA! Board President and Director of the Open Studio Project, will honor Harvey with a commemorative banner. Hope said, “When Harvey stepped down, it was an honor and privilege for me to continue his vision of YEA! He was an amazing man with so much passion and love for our arts community.”

In 2012, the YEA! Harvey Pranian Legacy Fund for the Arts was created with a major donation to the Evanston Community Foundation (ECF), which manages the funds, to honor Harvey. The Fund provides high school students scholarships for their continued education in the arts, which this year will be administered through the Open Studio Project.

With this in mind, in Harvey’s memory, please consider a donation to the YEA! Harvey Pranian Legacy Fund for the Arts.

Harvey is survived by his son, Jon Pranian and daughter, Katy Pranian; and by his cherished grandchildren, Callie Pranian (daughter of Katy), and Riley, Jake, and Luke Pranian (children of Jon). He is also survived by his former wife, Rosalyn Parisien, along with many extended family and friends who will remember him with deep love and appreciation.

Family and friends will gather on Sunday, June 28, at 4:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Avenue, for a memorial service and celebration of Harvey’s life. All are welcome to attend.