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On the wall of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., hangs a quote from Joseph Pulitzer, the esteemed publisher of the New York World and St. Louis Post-Dispatch, showcased in bronze:

"Our Republic and its press will rise or fall together. An able, disinterested, public-spirited press, with trained intelligence to know the right and courage to do it, can preserve that public virtue without which popular government is a sham and a mockery. A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself. The power to mould the future of the Republic will be in the hands of the journalists of future generations."

A Hungarian immigrant-turned-media-mogul, Pulitzer embraced journalism as a crucial element of a vibrant democracy, and that idealism lives on in his namesake awards, the Pulitzer Prizes.

As part of a yearlong celebration of the centennial of the prizes, The Tribune will host a Feb. 3 event at The Leonardo to highlight the editorial cartooning of the newspaper's own Pat Bagley, who was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2014.

The prizes remain the high-water mark for outstanding reporting and public service journalism as well as achievement in arts, letters and music. To mark this year's anniversary, the Pulitzer Prize Board has launched a national program, the Pulitzer Campfires Initiative, aimed at celebrating the values of the Pulitzers and igniting community conversations.

Utah Humanities and its partners, The Salt Lake Tribune, KCPW in Salt Lake City and Utah Public Radio in Logan, are among 46 state humanities groups awarded $1.5 million in Campfire grants. The initiative is funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Pulitzer Prize Board.

Both collaboratively and independently, each Utah partner will write stories, host public events and draw attention to Pulitzer Prize-winning projects, from books to investigative pieces.

"Utah Public Radio is pleased to participate in this partnership and we look forward to providing our listeners statewide with compelling programming as a part of the Campfires Initiative," said Tom Williams, program director for Utah Public Radio.

The project aims to get Utahns talking.

"This project builds on Utah Humanities' goal of bringing people together to discuss important community issues through the lens of the humanities," said Cynthia Buckingham, the group's executive director.

On Feb. 3, Bagley will share his favorite cartoons and discuss the artistic process with The Tribune's Jennifer Napier-Pearce, beginning at 7 p.m. at The Leonardo, 209 E. 500 South. Their on-stage conversation will be followed by a catered reception with a cash bar. Tickets are $10 at http://www.sltrib.com/eveningwithbagley and seats are limited.

An exhibit of Bagley's best work of 2015 will be on display this month in The Leonardo's main floor Tanner Atrium.

"The Tribune is proud to showcase Bagley's sharp artistic commentary through the Campfires Initiative," said Sheila McCann, Tribune managing editor. "His art consistently stirs strong emotions, and we're looking forward to gathering with readers to talk about his work and the role of political cartooning."

Other Pulitzer Campfire Initiative projects will be scheduled throughout the year. —

An Evening with Pat Bagley

I Tribune editorial cartoonist Pat Bagley will join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to discuss his favorite cartoons, the artistic process and his recognition as a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Their on-stage conversation will be followed by a catered reception.

When • Feb. 3, 7 p.m.

Where • The Leonardo, 209 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City

Tickets • $10 at http://www.sltrib.com/eveningwithbagley