Dear Members,

 

On behalf of the Art Deco Society of New York’s Board of Directors, I am pleased to present to you, esteemed members, ADSNY’s Annual Report highlighting significant initiatives during the 2022-23 ADSNY year. 

 

This past year we presented 32 programs, which included a return to in-person events while continuing to offer a wide range of online programs on a variety of topics featuring leading Deco authorities around the world. We resumed our Autumn in New York Weekend, an immersive, multi-day exploration of Art Deco throughout the city, with private access visits, dining in historic settings, and tours conducted by renowned experts in their respective fields. The response was overwhelming, so this fall we will be offering another immersive weekend exploring new neighborhoods, dining in historic settings and much more!

 

Local in-person events included talks and tours in Manhattan and the boroughs, invitations to collectors’ homes, behind-the-scenes visits to private archives, and curator-led exhibition tours. And let’s not forget a memorable summer boating excursion, evenings in jazz clubs, and much more. All benefits of membership.

 

Online presentations offered members near and far the ability to regularly participate in our rich programming of illustrated talks by distinguished local, national, and international Deco experts. Registrants have the option of watching these talks live or at a later date that better suits your schedule. Our archive now contains more than 80 Deco on Demand titles. These on-screen events offer perspectives of architectural and design details that often can’t be seen from street level during a live tour and also provide views of interiors not usually open to the public, as well as ephemera such as original building plans, maps, brochures, and more. If you have not seen our Deco On Demand programs, check out the full library of titles. Keep in mind that these videos make perfect gifts for Deco lovers near and far. 

 

Speaking of far, in May, ADSNY members were able to indulge in our long Covid-postponed Destination Deco Los Angeles and Beyond trip. This memorable tour culminated in a spectacular weekend aboard the legendary Queen Mary ocean liner. We were warmly welcomed everywhere with special access and private tours of Art Deco gems like the Griffith Observatory, the Alex and Pantages theaters, the incredible Bullock’s Department Store, The Avalon Casino on Catalina Island, and so much more. Watch for future Destination Deco travel opportunities.

 

For the eighth year we have continued our outreach to new audiences in underserved communities to Tell the Art Deco Story of our Neighborhoods throughout New York City. This program provides in-person illustrated talks and walking tours to introduce residents to the distinctive Art Deco interwar architecture that shaped many neighborhoods. ADSNY partnered with community organizations to engage area residents in this program which is funded by contributions from our members and grants from the New York State Council on the Arts and New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

 

The 2022-23 school year included a full return to in-person programming for the ninth year of our school outreach Documenting Deco, reaching New York City public school students in each borough. We are extremely proud that ADSNY continues to enrich the lives of young people by introducing them to architecture and design of the interwar period. Documenting Deco is made possible by generous donations from our members and a grant from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

 

You, too, can support our school program by adopting a K–12 school to honor someone special in your life, give back to a school that you once attended, or support a school in your own neighborhood, where you can see the kids in action. To learn more, please view Documenting Deco or contact us at Info@ArtDeco.org. 

 

The New York Art Deco Registry and Map, ADSNY’S web-based listing of existing Art Deco buildings throughout the five boroughs, continues to grow, now featuring nearly 800 listings. This free resource is available to anyone interested in learning about buildings throughout the city and is a great source for creating personalized self-guided walking tours. Through the help of dedicated volunteers––Harriet Abramson, Lindsay Cohen and Brita Okin, and our intern, Rosalinda Adams, this resource has continued to grow in both quantity of listings and quality of information. Please contact us a Registry@ArtDeco.org to join ADSNY’s team of volunteers in taking to the streets of the city in quest of undiscovered Deco gems; or, if you prefer, you can do research on your own schedule from the comfort of your own home.

 

In case you have not noticed, ADSNY’s presence on social media has grown exponentially this year due to the efforts of our volunteer team of Adela Hurtado and Kiely, Mary, and Lynn Schultz. If you don't already, follow us on: