MODERNISM Florida’s Hidden Treasures
Art Deco Delights / Cornell Art Museum
Presented by ART DECO SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES A rtDecoPB.org 16TH ART DECO WORLD POST-CONGRESS THE PALM BEACHES April 28 – 30, 2023 MODERNISM-6.qxp_Layout 1 4/5/23 2:41 PM Page 1
Sharon Koskoff
ADSPB BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Sharon Koskoff President
Loretta Nell Vice President
Diane Freaney Treasurer
Amy Clyman Secretary
Linda Stabile Preservation
Ray Nell Special Events
Ron Warren Photography
The Art Deco Society of the Palm Beaches is a 501(c)3 historic preservation organization that celebrates education and awareness through the documentation and preservation of Early 20th Century art, architecture, and design, found in the Palm Beaches since 1987.
ICADS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Roberta Nusim President, Art Deco Society of New York
Robin Grow Vice-President, Art Deco and Modernism Society of Australia
Sharon Koskoff Secretary, Art Deco Society of the Palm Beaches
Rita Shiang Treasurer, Art Deco Society of Virginia
DIRECTORS
Jack Johnson Miami Design Preservation League
Steve Knight Art Deco Society of Washington DC
Atul Kumar Art Deco Mumbai Trust
Pascal Laurent Paris Art Deco Society
Sharon Koskoff and Jack Johnson
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Buenos Aires 2019 World Congress
ADSPB COMES FULL CIRCLE
In the late 1970s, Barbara Baer Capitman identified the Art Deco architecture in Miami Beach, started the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL), began the legendary Art Deco Weekend festivals, and listed the country’s first urban 20th Century Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1985, Sharon Koskoff, a then member of the ADSNY moved to Delray Beach, Florida where she met with Barbara Capitman. Because of her strong passion, Barbara encouraged Sharon to spearhead an Art Deco society in Palm Beach County. Shortly after, the ADSPB was born, addressing the significance of historic preservation for future generations.
The oldest structures erected in South Florida were built in the 1930s. Barbara was delighted when Sharon discovered, identified, and documented dozens of Streamline Modern hidden treasures in the Palm Beaches --- many that emphasized arts and cultural institutions.
Capitman connected Art Deco societies by initiating the International Coalition of Art Deco Societies (ICADS), a group that would foster networking and universal conferences every two years.
A three-part Art Deco World Congress, Pre-Congress, and Post-Congress commenced in Miami Beach in 1991. Barbara, known as the “Queen of Art Deco” passed away just before her dream was realized.
Palm Beach Photographer Joel Cohen then dubbed Koskoff as the “Duchess of Deco” continuing Barbara’s legacy in the historic preservation of Modernism. Koskoff penned her first book entitled, Art Deco of the Palm Beaches, for Arcadia Publishing in 2007, followed by Murals of the Palm Beaches in 2018.
Jack Johnson, Board Chair of the Miami Design Preservation League and ICADS Board member said, “We at the MDPL are thrilled that the Post-Congress in the Palm Beaches will be held on World Art Deco Day. It’s the exciting conclusion of the World Congress after it begins in Central Florida and continues in Miami Beach, where it originated over 30 years ago.”
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LYNN UNIVERSITY
Mid-Century Modern - Chapman, Evans & Delehanty,1962
The Mid-Century Modern (MiMo) architecture is filled with circles, arches, lines and geometric “concrete curtains” known as brise soleil, (sun barrier). Other buildings sport Art Deco elements featuring rounded corners and glass block walls.
BOCA RATON INNOVATIVE CAMPUS
BRIC
Brutalist - Marcel Breuer, 1970
Bauhaus architect Breuer and business partner Robert Gatje designed the historic IBM office complex in Boca Raton, using massive blocks of molded concrete known as Brutalism.
Photo ADSPB archives
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Photo ADSPB archives
WENGER HOUSE
Art Deco - Ruth & Ray
Wenger,1948
A private residence owned by art collector and preservationist Linda Stabile in Delray Beach, featuring bandings, step-backs, eyebrows, and porthole windows.
NORTON MUSEUM OF ART
Diana and Actaeon
Art Deco Nickel-Bronze Sculptures - Paul Manship, 1925
Two mythological sculptures of Diana and Actaeon, along with three bas-reliefs depicting the words Imagination, Inspiration, and Interpretation are displayed.
Photo ADSPB archives
Photo ADSPB archives
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Ray Wenger created the home for his wife as a “Valentine” present. He added a low bordering wall to surround the property replete with heart-shaped cutouts and a heart-shaped entry port.
LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE
Art Deco – Clarence and Lucien Oakley, 1924
Built in a Moorish Deco style, the Oakley Theatre is the oldest building on the ADSPB Historical Registry. After damage from the Hurricane of 1928, it was rebuilt with Streamline Moderne racing stripes, flat roof, and vertical ribbing. In 1975, the Lake Worth Playhouse purchased the theater, and in 2007, Sharon Koskoff transformed the “gateway to downtown” by designing the Art Deco neon marquee.
CULTURAL COUNCIL FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY
Originally the Lake Theatre, this sculptural structure is now the home of the council. A flat roof, rounded corners, fluted ribbing, and vertical linear design applications adorn this outstanding Art Deco landmark in Lake Worth Beach.
Photo ADSPB archives
Photo ADSPB archives
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Art Deco – Roy A. Benjamin, 1939
ARMORY ART CENTER
Art Deco – William Manly King, 1939
The Old West Palm Beach National Guard Armory was built with Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds. In 1987, local activists saved the building from the wrecking ball, and it became the home of a visual arts school offering master workshops, a gallery space, and a world-class sculpture building.
ANN NORTON SCULPTURE GARDENS
Ann Norton - 1940s
Ann Weaver Norton was the second wife of Ralph Norton, founder of the namesake’s museum. Her artistic vision was shaped by Cubism and Art Deco style using large scale, architectural forms. She planted the gardens on the two-and-ahalf-acre estate creating a green oasis for her life’s work.
Photo ADSPB archives
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Photo ADSPB archives
PARAMOUNT BUILDING
Moorish Deco – Joseph Urban - 1926 Urban, who also built Mar-a-Lago, designed the theater’s footprint one-quarter of the size of the famed Radio City Music Hall. This structure has been identified as Moorish Deco with an onion-shaped dome, multiple arches, stylized pelicans, theatrical masks, and linear chevrons.
SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS
Art Deco – Panthers, Wheeler Williams - 1933
Two bronze sculptures of panthers, a male and female, proudly guard the front entrance of the Gioconda and Joseph King Library in Palm Beach, which also features exterior murals depicting personifications of art, literature, drama, and music, painted in 1939 by Albert Herter.
Photo ADSPB archives
Photo ADSPB archives
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PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
Photo ADSPB archives
Architect Belford Shoumate’s drawing of the Nautical Art Deco residence at 1221 Northlake Way, shown above. He designed two Art Deco mansions, in Palm Beach, that reflect the speed and style of nautical ships. The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach houses the archives of Belford Shoumate, one of the most significant Art Deco architects in the Palm Beaches.
BOYD BUILDING
Delray Beach’s anchor on the Intracoastal Waterway resembles an “ocean liner”. The Nautical Deco commercial building streamlines with its flat roof, fluted ribbed columns, stepped-back profile, and racing stripes.
Art Deco – Gustav Maass - 1939
Currently home of Deck 84 restaurant featured on the Deco in Delray walking tour.
Photo Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach
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MODERNISM ART EXHIBITIONS
Art Deco Delights: A Pop-Up Exhibition
Cornell Art Museum / Art Deco paintings by mural artist
Sharon Koskoff /www.DowntownDelrayBeach.com
Deco Dimensions
Lake Worth Playhouse / Lake Worth Beach Mayor Betty Resch
Reception and photographs by Sharon Koskoff
Art Deco in Palm Beach County
Cultural Council for PBC / Local artists whose aesthetic reflects
Art Deco / www.PalmBeachCulture.com
At the Dawn of a New Age: Early Twentieth Century American
Modernism & From Man Ray to O’Keeffe: American Modernism
Norton Museum of Art / www.Norton.org
Harry Benson Picturing History
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens / Social, political and celebrity photographs from 1960s / www.ANSG.org
Historical Film & Movie Memorabilia Exhibition
Paramount Theatre Palm Beach, Joseph Urban
MiMo in Boca Raton: Mid-Century Modern Style
The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum / Featuring architect
Howard McCall / www.BocaHistory.org
Palm Beach Moderne
Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach / Featuring architects
Maurice Fatio, Belford Shoumate, & John Volk
www.PalmBeachPreservation.org
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ADSPB GALA EVENTS
WORLD ART DECO DAY WEEKEND
EGYPTIAN SOIREE
Bellydance
Friday, April 28, 2023
World Art Deco Day Modernism Pre-Party 6 - 7:30 pm
Art After Dark at the Norton Museum of Art / Champagne Toast
Egyptomania Costume Party / Buffet 8 -11 pm
SWING CABARET
The Great American Songbook
Glenda Grainger and Gary Lawrence
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach
Cocktails & Palm Beach Moderne Exhibition 6 pm
Seated dinner in Pan’s Garden catered by BICE 7 - 10 pm
Lauren Cheeky
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SPECIAL THANKS
Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach
Amanda Skier, President & CEO
Katie Jacob, Director of Programming
Lynn University
Cesar Santalo, Dean of Communications & Design
ArtInTheAlley.org / Egyptomania Soiree
Lisa & James Quillian
Cornell Art Museum
Marusca Gatto, Cultural Arts Director
Armory Art Center
John T. Suau, Chief Executive Officer
Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
Dave Lawrence, President & CEO
Jessica Ransom, Director of Artist Services
Elaine Weber Designs
Elaine Weber, Graphic Communicator
Miami Design Preservation League
Jack Johnson, Board Chair
WORLD ART DECO DAY COMMITTEE
Sharon Koskoff, ADSPB President
Theresa Cioffi / Sharon Geltner / Karen Gray / Sharon Halupka-White
Sharon & Len Lavinson / Linda Stabile / Ron Warren / Elaine Weber
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ART DECO SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES
