This is to invite your participation in the Art Deco Society of Washington’s (ADSW) 37th annual Washington Modernism Show May 2-3, 2020, either as a exhibitor.
After more than 30 years in gymnasiums, warehouses, and other nondescript settings in the Washington suburbs, 2020 marks the show’s return to a close in location and a national historic landmark—the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Old Town Alexandria.
Construction of the Memorial, sited atop Shooter’s Hill, the western terminus of Old Town, began in 1922 styled after Egypt’s ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria. The building was dedicated in 1932, in honor of the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. As a privately-funded memorial, interior finishes continued to be added into the 1970s as funds were raised. Because much of the interior work was started or completed between the 1920s and 1950s, there are important Art Deco elements in the Memorial’s interior design, including the first floor’s terrazzo floors. The Memorial was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
In addition to the historic structure, Old Town Alexandria and the Memorial offer several other advantages, including
Started in 1983 as the Exposition of Decorative Arts, primarily an Art Deco show, the show gradually expanded to include other design movements of the 20th Century and now includes the sale of all 20th Century design movements, including Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, Art Moderne, Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern, and Atomic.
The show will take place in the Grand Masonic Hall, the Conference Room, the Dining Room, and the connecting corridors.
Because of the historic nature of the structure, there is no cookie-cutter approach to booth design. Booths vary from 10 to 12 feet deep and from 10 to 20 feet wide. Virtually all booths back to a wall. All booths and tables include complimentary electricity and free chairs.
Four deluxe 10 x 20 booths in the Grand Masonic Hall have papered walls in the rear and one side. Drapes separate the booths on the sides of Grand Masonic Hall behind the massive columns. Four standalone “parking” spaces are available in Grand Masonic Hall for placement of a 6-foot showcase or table. Dealers located in Grand Masonic Hall will have two short (5-7 shallow steps) interior flights of stairs to access their booth but ramps are available.
Eighteen 8-foot table spaces are available in the wide corridors connecting the rooms. The tables will be set against the wall. Chair(s) will be provided for the dealer to sit across from or next to the tables.
Pick out your preferred booth(s)/tables(s) on the floorplan below and complete the registration to reserve your spaces.
A 50 percent nonrefundable deposit is all it takes to reserve your spot. For best choice, I recommend completing the online registration below or print and mail the registration with your deposit check. Call me before you mail the application to ensure that the spot(s) you want are still available. Payment can be made by check or through Paypal to treasurer@adsw.org.
If applying online, be sure to enter the promo code “DEPOSIT” and click “apply.” Final payments will be due 2 weeks before the show but can be paid at load in with advance approval.
North Carolina Modernist Houses will bring a tour group to the show from Raleigh during their May 1-3 visit to Washington. We are also coordinating with the Hollin Hills Community Association to promote the show to those attending its Mid-Century house + garden tour May 2nd.
Show hours will be Saturday, May 2nd from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday, May 3rd from 11 AM to 5 PM. A Preview will be held from 9:00 AM to 11 AM Saturday. Dealer load will be Friday. A caterer will provide food service Saturday and Sunday.
Attendees will also be able to purchase discounted tours of the Memorial, including the 9th floor observation deck.
For additional information contact me at jimlinz@verizon.net or by phone at 703-568-3745.
Jim Linz
Modernism Show Chair
Art Deco Society of Washington