WELCOME TO
THE ART DECO SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA

The Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum in Lynchburg is the former home of the renowned Harlem Renaissance poet and has been named a Virginia Historic Landmark and is also on the National Register of Historic Places. With up to 95% of the original house and cottage furnishings still in place today, it is considered one of the most intact house museums in the United States. Anne Spencer’s garden is also the only known restored garden of an African American in the United States. Spencer was a poet, civil rights leader, advocate, and librarian. Her home and garden served as a gathering place for leading African Americans such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Link to tickets which you can purchase directly from the Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum in our bio. Make sure you choose the May 31st noon tour.

We'll also visit two of Lynchburg's Art Deco icons: the Allied Arts Building and the Lynchburg News & Daily Advance Building. We hope to see our friends who live and around Lynchburg!

Thomas Jefferson High School (1929) is one of Richmond's Art Deco highlights. Designed by Charles M. Robinson, famous for co-designing the Mosque (now the Altria Theatre) and many educational stuctures, Tee Jay is considered his career masterpiece. The building includes many wonderful educational-themed reliefs and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. #artdeco #artdecova #artdecoarchitecture

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond has this beautiful clock by artist Jean Goulden (French) who worked in enamel and metal. This clock was crafted in silvered bronze, enamel, and marble. Goulden was influenced by Byzantine enamels he experienced during a stay in Greece after WWII. During his career he collaborated with such luminaries as Jean Dunand, Paul Jouve, and François-Louis Schmied. (Photo from VMFA website) #artdeco #vmfa #clocks #jeangoulden #artdecova

We're celebrating World Art Deco Day and the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes with a docent-led tour of the Art Deco galleries at the @vmfamuseum in Richmond followed by a social lunch at Les Crepes in Carytown. Link to tickets in our bio! #artdeco #artdecova #adsva #vmfa

Lots of fun events coming up this spring! Come join us! #adsva #artdecova

Archer Motor Mascot was created by René Lalique & Cie of France around 1928-1930. This hood ornament formerly known as a mascot was used to display the wealth of the car owner. This object is owned by and on display at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk. The Chrysler boasts a world-renowned collection of glass objects. #artdeco #chryslermuseum #lalique

Join us at the @thevalentinerva for a docent-led tour of this fascinating exhibition of Richmond artist Edmund Archer who became prominent during the 1920s and 1930s. Tickets are available through the link in our bio. #thevalentinerva #edmundarcher #adsva #artdecova

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a fulfilling, insightful, and most enjoyable 2025!

The ADSVA wishes everyone a very happy and joyous holiday season however you celebrate. Looking forward to more Deco fun in 2025! #adsva #artdecova

Calling all current ADSVA members, future members, and interested parties: We want to hear from you! The ADSVA board is hosting a general meeting at the Libbie Mill Library Meeting Room (2100 Libbie Lake E St, Richmond, VA 23230) to get feedback, share opinions, and discuss the future of the society.

Light snacks and socializing will begin at 5:30 pm. The meeting will be held from 6:00-7:00 pm.

Join us to meet fellow members and share your thoughts on membership, events, and more!

What a night! We had a great turnout for the Repeal Day Soiree. Many thanks to @gracestreetseven and @thebasementrichmond!

This Saturday join the ADSVA and Grace Street Seven for an evening of 1920s fun as we commemorate the repeal of Prohibition!
The Basement (300 E Broad Street)
Doors open 6pm
Free Admission ($20 suggested donation)
**Further info at event link in bio

Thirteen long years of America being a “dry” country came to an end on December 5th, 1933 when the 18th Amendment prohibiting alcohol was repealed. Now that’s something to celebrate! Learn more about Repeal Day from this months Featured Article in The Flapper!

And then join the ADSVA to celebrate the anniversary of Repeal Day at The Basement on December 7th at 6pm (event link in bio).

The Art Deco Society of Virginia and the Grace Street Seven Quartet are hosting an End of Prohibition Soiree on December 7th (6-10pm) at The Basement (300 E Broad Street)! Join us for live music, cocktails, dancing and a 1920's/30's Fashion Contest!

Don't miss the fun as we drink libations (responsibly) to celebrate the anniversary of Repeal Day!

See the event page (link in bio) for further details!

Many thanks to everyone who participated in this last weekend’s Tweed Ride! Everyone looked dapper in their fall woolens and the weather was perfect for a fall bike ride around Richmond’s Art Deco landmarks!

This green jade vase with alabaster handles dated 1925-1933 and created by Steuben Glass Works is on view at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk (free admission and parking). The Chrysler boasts a world renowned collection of glass objects.

#ChryslerMuseum
#artdeco
#Steuben #artdecova #adsva #deco

Don your best tweed and ride with us this Sunday! Come early and have a pint with me before we head out. Follow the Link in our bio for more information!

Designed by the firm of Schmidt, Garden, and Erikson, the Model Tobacco Building was built beginning in 1938 and continued to include several structures built in the Art Deco style with elements of International Style. Its main defining feature is the "sky sign" consisting of seven white concrete vertical columns ending with the name of the company in a striking Moderne style font.

#artdeco #artdecoarchitecture #artdecova

Sure we’re looking forward to the Gatsby Afternoon Picnic, but don’t forget to join us at the Lemaire Restaurant bar in the historic Jefferson Hotel for a welcome cocktail hour (two hours to be precise!). The ADSVA will be enjoying classic cocktails in the historic hotel from 7-9 on September 20th to help kick off the Gatsby Afternoon Picnic festivities. It will be a great way to meet up with old friends and make new ones ahead of the next day’s main event. No-host bar and food available.

Get ready and get excited for the Gatsby Afternoon Picnic THIS SATURDAY! Online ticket sales close Friday at 9pm after which point tickets will only be available at the door. Pre-purchase your tickets using the link in our bio

The forecast is looking warm and dry but we will continue to monitor as we move through the week. A friendly reminder that we have a pre-planned rain date (September 22) this year and thus will not be refunding tickets if the Saturday date moves. Fortunately, Saturday looks to be a sunny 80 degrees for us to dance, strut, and picnic the day away!

We are going to be raffling off some lovely items donated by local shops and deco members at this year’s Gatsby Afternoon Picnic! Many thanks to @bygonesvintage and @halcyonvintage for their generous donations. Raffle tickets will be 1 for $1 or 6 for $5. You must be present to claim your prize

We have two prizes available:
-a giftbox with wonderful goodies from Bygones including a flask, Bluetooth speaker, and playing cards, and a year’s membership to the ADSVA
-a handmade cap made by Carmela Brenzie @cbrenzie , a Halcyon gift card and tote, and a year’s membership to the ADSVA

And, of course, be sure to get your tickets to the GAP using the link in our bio. Online ticket sales close at 9pm on September 20th, and then tickets will only be available at the door!

#artdeco #artdecova #rva #rvaevents #vaevents #vatodo #vintageevents

The ribbons have arrived and are ready to be passed out to this year’s luck Picnic contest winners. If you want the chance to receive one of the coveted blue ribbons bring your best to one of our many fun-filled contests including Best Dressed, Best Picnic Display, Best Charleston, Best Pie, and (for the first time), Last Person Sitting at Musical Chairs!

Get your tickets today using the link in our bio!
#rvatodo #rvaevents #vatodo #vaevents #artdeco

When you need a break from the dancing, contests, and other festivities during this years GAP, make a stop at Daisy’s Vintage Closet where your fellow vintage enthusiasts are selling their vintage/vintage-inspired clothing!

To participate or ask further questions, contact Christina Stewart-York at clyeducation@gmail.com by September 14th!

Don’t have your tickets yet? Follow the link in our bio make sure you don’t miss out on this years Gatsby Afternoon Picnic!

#vintage #vintageclothing #rva #rvatodo #artdecova #artdeco #vatodo #rvaevents

Join us at the Lemaire Restaurant bar in the historic Jefferson Hotel for a welcome cocktail hour (two hours to be precise!) from 7-9 on September 20th to help kick off the Gatsby Afternoon Picnic festivities. It will be a great way to meet up with old friends and make new ones ahead of the next day’s main event. No-host bar and food available.

For all of you snappy dressers and dapper dans out there…we have a best dressed contest coming your way at the Gatsby Afternoon Picnic! Put together your best Art Deco ensemble and get your tickets today! (Link in bio) #vintage #artdecova #rva #rvatodo #vatodo #rvaevents #artdeco

Get your tickets now and dance the day away at the Gatsby Afternoon Picnic! We’ll be hosting a Charleston lesson, contest, and open dancing to live music from @gracestreetseven so put on your dancing shoes and reserve your spot at the link in our bio!

We have a full schedule of activities, contests, and events for this year’s Gatsby Afternoon Picnic (September 21)! If you want to participate in the third annual pie contest be sure to bake a sweet or savory pie for our judges to taste and see how your pie serves up!

See the event page linked in our bio for more information and to purchase tickets!

If you joined us for the Gatsby Afternoon Picnic last year, you know we launched “Daisy’s Vintage Closet”, an opportunity for participants to sell their vintage and vintage-inspired clothing to other Art Deco enthusiasts!

To participate or ask further questions, contact Christina Stewart-York at clyeducation@gmail.com by September 14th!

Tickets are NOW ON SALE for the 12th Annual Gatsby Afternoon Picnic (link in bio)!

This year’s Gatsby Afternoon Picnic will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 (Rain Date: Sunday, September 22, 2024)! Enjoy a pleasant day on the beautiful grounds of Wilton House Museum. This year we’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s masterpiece, “Rhapsody in Blue,” and we’re encouraging blue-themed attire and picnic displays. In any case, come dressed for the occasion and transport yourself to a simpler time.

Admission: $25/$20 ADSVA members. Advance tickets will be available for purchase beginning August 21st. Admission will also be sold the day of the event via card or Venmo only. No Cash.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in their picnic best!

Follow the link in our bio to purchase tickets now!

TODAY is the last day to receive our Very Deco Discount!

Follow the link in our bio to receive a discounted ADSVA membership and GAP entrance fee for a limited time only!

Discounted Membership Fees (for both new members and renewals): Individual Membership - $40
Under 25 - $25
Senior Membership - $30
Dual - $65

In anticipation of the Gatsby Afternoon Picnic (September 21, 2024, tickets on sale August 21) we will be offering a discounted ADSVA membership and GAP entrance fee for a limited time only!

From AUGUST 7th through AUGUST 20th all memberships will be discounted and you will receive an exclusive discount code for the Gatsby Afternoon Picnic (to be used once event registration opens).

Follow the link in our bio to get your Very Deco Discount!

Discounted Membership Fees (for both new members and renewals): Individual Membership - $40
Under 25 - $25
Senior Membership - $30
Dual - $65

We are POSTPONING our Dressed to Perfection: Style in the 1920s! Tickets will be refunded and we will announce the updated event information at a later date. In the meantime keep an eye out for other upcoming events, including our Art Deco Weekend and the Gatsby Afternoon Picnic in September!

Francis Chigot (1879-1960) started his career as a decorative painter but eventually specialized in glasswork. He made his mark towards the end of the Art Nouveau period and into the early years of Art Deco, creating new stained glass windows for many churches in northern France that had been destroyed during WWI. His work was also exhibited frequently including at the 1925 International Exibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris. In 1956, he was commissioned to create new windows for the south wall of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond where they exist to this day. #stainedglass #artdeco #chigot

Have you reserved your tickets for our fashion lecture yet? The ADSVA is proud to present our first zoom lecture, Dressed to Perfection: Style in the 1920s. Follow the link in our bio for more details

We had beautiful weather for our tiki cocktail meet up at @harrys_rooftop!

Save the date post for this year's Gatsby Afternoon Picnic to be held on Saturday, September 21st (rain date: September 22nd). We'll also have Art Deco Weekend kickoff cocktails at Lemaire at the Jefferson Hotel on Friday. We're also planning festivities for Sunday so look out for the official event posting. Hope to see everyone there!

A warm but fun day in touring Azurest South, designed by Amaza Lee Meredith, followed by some antique shopping and ending with tea at Blue Willow Tea Room.

One of Richmond's Art Deco treasures, West Hospital was built under the Federal Works Agency, Public Works Administration and completed in 1940. Built in a cruciform or crucifix plan, the brick Moderne styling includes a ziggurat crown and a handsome metal grille depicting the medical sciences over the entrance facing Broad Street. The building still functions as part of VCU Health Systems' operations in downtown Richmond and remains a target of possible demolition under ongoing master planning by VCU. #artdeco #artdecoarchitecture #artdecova

The ADSVA has plenty of events to keep you in a very Deco summer! We can’t wait to see many of you for our June Architecture Tour and to enjoy a tropical cocktail in July for our Twenties Go Tiki cocktail hour! And of course, in September we will have an entire weekend of Art Deco events surrounding the Gatsby Afternoon Picnic! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details! #artdeco #artdecova #richmondtodo #richmondevents #virginiatodo #virginiaevents

Originally named the Colley Theater, the Naro Theatre in the Ghent neighborhood of Norfolk, opened in 1936 and built for the tidy sum of $75,000. It still operates as a single screen movie theatre showing a mix of classic and art house films. (PC: cinematreasures.com)
#artdeco #artdecoarchitecture #artdecova #norfolkhistory

Can’t make it to our June Architecture Tour? That’s just fine, join us in July for The Twenties go Tiki (Friday July 19th from 5:30 to 7:30) at Harry’s at the Hof Rooftop for some summer libations.

Here at the ADSVA we celebrate all things of the Art Deco era, including Jazz. Henry Sterling Creamer was a popular song lyricist and theater producer in the 1920's from Richmond. One of his most popular songs was "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans". It was advertised as a Southern Song without a "Mammy, a Mule, or a Moon (a dig at some of the popular clichés of the time). The song appeared most recently on an episode of Boardwalk Empire in 2012.
#artdecova #artdeco #richmondhistory

As the weather warms up, our thoughts naturally wander to tropical breezes from white sand beaches. The next best thing may be having summer cocktails on a rooftop bar. So why not do both! So put on your best tiki or tropical wear and join us at Harry’s at the Hof Rooftop Friday July 19th from 5:30 to 7:30 for some summer libations. #artdecova #rva #rvaevents #rvatodo

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ABOUT US

We are a a not-for-profit membership organization designed to preserve and promote the Commonwealth’s Art Deco history. Our aim is to raise community awareness of Virginia’s Art Deco movement as well as to preserve and celebrate the architecture, design, art, music and social lifestyle of the era.

The ADSVA is a member of the International Coalition of Art Deco Societies (ICADS). Detailed information about ICADS and links to other member pages can be found here: Home | International Coalition of Art Deco Societies

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