Hello Art Deco and Mid-Century Friends! The deep freeze of January passed in a flurry of white. As we welcome February our thoughts turn to Valentine’s Day and Winter Break. The temperature may be 11 degrees today, but spring gets closer with each passing day. From exceptional museums to skiing, ice fishing to antiquing, there is no shortage of ways to pass the chilly days here in south-east Michigan. A mug of hot chocolate and a good book is never a bad idea… Stay warm and enjoy this month’s newsletter.
Things to do, places to go…
Spirit of Detroit: Architecture, Urbanism and Imagination
- Thursday February 5. 6:30 PM-7:30 PM
- Greenmead Historical Park (map)
Join art/architectural historian Deborah Lubera Kawsky for a visual tour of Detroit’s urbanistic and architectural history, from its beginnings as a frontier metropolis through its heyday in the Mid-Century period to its recent revival.
Discussion will focus on historic structures like the Basilica of St. Anne, Michigan Central Station, the Guardian Building, Hudson’s, and the Renaissance Center as exemplars both of the city’s historic past and of its bright future.
No registration required for this free program at the Alexander Blue House, sponsored by the Livonia Historical Commission.
More information: https://www.livonia.gov/CivicSend/ViewMessage/Message/280610
FLEATROIT is coming to 100 Proof
Join Detroit’s best vintage pickers, fashion curators, and craft makers for a full-day market inside Detroit City Distillery’s 100 Proof event space.
Shop clothing, vinyl, housewares, and handmade goods, all while sipping your favorite cocktails.
🗓 Saturday, February 7th
🕚 11 AM – 6 PM
📍 100 Proof / Detroit City Distillery, 1000 Gratiot Ave.
Threads: The Life, Career and Legacy of Ruth Adler Schnee
Sunday February 8, 2026 12:15pm-1:00 pm
Free and open to the public
Ann Arbor District Library, 343 South 5th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
As part of the Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Expo 2026 (AAFAX): Join art historian Deborah Lubera Kawsky to celebrate the life, career, and the enduring legacy of Detroit design icon-and dear friend-Ruth Adler Schnee, who was a driving force in Modern design for eight decades. Adler Schnee’s life story is inspirational, encompassing her escape from Nazi Germany, her groundbreaking studies at Cranbrook Art Academy, and, together with her husband Eddie, the establishment of Adler-Schnee, Detroit’s first modern design store. She is best known today for her boldly colored, pattern-rich textiles and her interior designs for both private and public spaces, from the Ford Rotunda to the World Trade Center.
This event is part of the 2026 Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Expo. For a full list of events and vendors, go to aadl.org/aafax.
February 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/
February 20, 21, 22 2026
20th Century Cincinnati — the nation’s longest-running celebration of modernist design — returns to the Sharonville Convention Center this February, proudly sponsored by Sweet Modern.
Tickets are now available to explore and collect the best in vintage modern from across the Midwest — and beyond! More Info: https://queencityshows.com/
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.
Back In Print!
Dale A. Carlson’s comprehensive books on Detroit architecture have been re-printed and are currently available for purchase.
Shop Dale’s catalog of work here: https://dale-a-carlson.square.site/
Looking Ahead
Some of the things we’re working on for 2026:
Tamara de Lempicka Zoom with Anne Paddy
Wine Stroll
Tour of Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
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
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 at southpacificpixie@gmail.com
Join or renew HERE
Thank you for your continuous support and active participation. We wouldn’t be here without you.
The Detroit Area Art Deco Society is a non-profit 501c and your investment supports our annual Eastern Michigan University Preservation Scholarship.
