Hello Art Deco and Mid-Century Friends! As we welcome March we slowly emerge from hibernation; our thoughts turn to longer days and warmer temperatures. Daylight Savings Time begins March 8th and Spring officially arrives March 20th. Food is always in season; who can resist indulging on 3.14, Pi Day? Chocolate cream, Pecan, Michigan 4-berry or Dutch Apple all sound delish; what’s your favorite? Irish or not, we all enjoy celebrating St Patrick’s Day by attending the Corktown Parade or enjoying a corned beef sandwich and a green beer—okay, make that a Guiness Stout! Spring brings with it new energy, garden seed catalogs, and a desire to get out and do things. Here at DAADS we have several events in the works, stay tuned for details and registration information.
Things to do, places to go…
Art March Downtown Ferndale
This month-long celebration, launched in 2025 in effort to showcase the richness and diversity of the artistic world, while creating space for exploration, learning, shopping, dining and connection in Downtown Ferndale!
The Downtown Development Authority is proud to host Art March in conjunction with the Downtown Ferndale Public Art Program and the Ferndale Arts & Beautification Commission. Art March mirrors the experience of a traditional art gallery exhibition—beginning with an opening celebration and unfolding throughout the month with self-guided public art walks, hands-on workshops, pop up art installations, interactive games, and gallery crawls, before concluding with a public closing reception. More Info
Video event presented by the Art Deco Society of New York
Saturday March 07, 2026. 12:00 pm-1:30 pm
In this presentation, direct from Paris, discover how the art workshops of department stores played a leading role in artistic research in the 1920s and 1930s. They recruited the great designers who established themselves during the Art Nouveau era and went on to embrace Art Deco in the fields of furniture, fabrics, wallpaper, ceramics, glass.
Backed by the economic power and advertising reach of these stores, their art workshops made it possible to disseminate decorative arts to broad audiences. At the 1925 Exposition international des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes, Primavera, Pomone, La Maîtrise, Studium-Louvre each presented their creations in a dedicated pavilion showcasing the latest trends in furniture and decoration, contributing greatly to the success of the Exposition.
Join us to explore how the production of these art workshops continued well beyond the 1920s in a continuous search for balance between commercial success and creativity. This is a must-attend event for lovers of Art Deco, design history, and Parisian style. Can’t join the live Zoom event? No problem! Those who register will receive a recording of the entire program a few days after the live presentation. When you sign up for the program you have the opportunity to watch, or rewatch, the recording at a time more convenient for you. Register HERE
Le Shoppe Modern Auction
Save the date for Le Shoppe Auction House’s Art + Design Auction | March 15
From iconic originals by Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, and Alexander Calder to timeless furniture designs by Herman Miller, Knoll, and more— This auction is shaping up to be a masterclass in art, design, and serious collecting energy. More Info: https://leshoppemodern.com/
See Detroit’s history in a new light! Join master craftswoman Andrea Sevonty for an exclusive look at the traditional techniques used to build and breathe new life into Detroit’s historic windows. During this lecture, you will learn the step-by-step process of how stained glass is made and see the results of this intricate work firsthand with a guided viewing of recent stained-glass restorations at this Detroit landmark church. Discover exactly what it takes to keep a masterpiece shining for another century! Andrea Sevonty is the owner and primary craftswoman of Sevonty Restoration. She has worked full-time in stained glass and window restoration for 18 years.
St Albertus is the first Catholic Polish parish in Detroit and was designated as a historic site managed by The Polish American Historic Site Association (PAHSA) in 1991. PAHSA is a nonprofit run by volunteers and donations. TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-art-and-science-of-stained-glass-restoration-tickets-1983452868924?aff=oddtdtcreator
Thursday, March 19, 2026. 5pm-8pm
Get ready for an unforgettable evening, Stahls Night at the Museum brings the collection to life after hours! As the sun sets, the cars, music, and memorabilia take on a whole new glow, transforming the space into a vibrant spectacle of sights, sounds, and stories from automotive history.
Wander among rare and historic automobiles, each dramatically lit to showcase its design and beauty. Listen as the mighty automated musical instruments fill the air with enchanting melodies, turning your walk through the galleries into a journey through time. Don’t miss one of the evening’s most dazzling moments, our vintage neon signs blaze to life, casting a colorful glow that recalls the excitement of America’s golden age of motoring.
More Info: https://www.stahlsauto.com/event/stahls-night-at-the-museum/2026-02-19/
There’s a wonderful article in The Starburst, an online newsletter from Atomic Ranch, featuring the architectural legacy of Minoru Yamasaki. You can read “Minoru Yamasaki: New Formalism Icon” HERE.
The 2025/26 edition of The Modern has been mailed out to member’s homes. If you didn’t receive a copy, your membership may have expired or we don’t have your home mailing address. The digital version is now available — find it here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/8da64cae-f4d4-4888-9712-8f147914a3f4
Looking Ahead
Tamara de Lempicka Zoom with Anne Paddy March 2026
The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka and the Art of Survival April 10th AMC John R & 15 Mile, Troy
Tour of Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Thursday May 28th 6:00 pm
Other things we’re working on for 2026:
Detroit City Distillery Tour
Tour of Saarinen House
Celebrating 100 years of the Senate Theater
Completion of the film Icons of Elegance featuring Art Deco buildings of Detroit
Wine Stroll
Books You May Like
In this new authoritative biography, author Chris Meister brings a fresh perspective to the legacy of internationally renowned Detroit architect Albert Kahn, utilizing a broad range of newly seen archival resources. In Detroit, Kahn’s daylight factories and commercial designs have shaped the distinctive workplaces and streetscapes of the city. Placing Kahn’s design and production of iconic architecture—like the Belle Isle Aquarium & Horticultural Building as well as the Fisher Building—alongside less-heralded projects, Meister outlines how Kahn’s ingenuity and broad networks cultivated the spread of his influence through his advocacy of daylight in traditionally dark working environments.
Beyond Detroit, Meister addresses the complicated global impact of Kahn’s work by highlighting his pragmatic approach to architectural design and his involvement in fraught projects such as the plants designed for the USSR in Europe’s interwar period. This exploration of Kahn’s dynamic career establishes the architect as a vital figure for the global development of architectural modernism and to twentieth-century economic and political history.
We are always looking ahead and working on tours and events. Members are always the first to know and have first access to tickets. You can keep up with us on Facebook and Instagram @detroitartdeco
Questions about membership? Contact Renee southpacificpixie@gmail.com
Thank you for your continuous support and active participation. We wouldn’t be here without you.