This is our Modernism 2000 issue, and it's the best issue ever! It's just overflowing with fabulous articles for you to enjoy.
At our Annual Dinner, held February 14 (see review on page 9), I presented to the membership an Annual Report for 1999. I wanted to give those of you who were unable to attend, a capsulated version of the report, so you, too, would know what's been going on with DAADS.
DAADS has made some important strides in the last year. Our Modernism Preview Party continues to be our major fundraising source each year, and this past year was no different. In 1999 for the second year, we made a contribution of $5,000 to Cranbrook Art Museum as exclusive sponsors of Saarinen House for the entire tour season. If you haven't had a chance to tour Saarinen House or walk the grounds of Cranbrook, you must not let this year go by without a visit. The art deco interiors designed by the Saarinens is deco at its finest—and it's right in our own backyard.
In October of last year, DAADS sponsored a USO Swing Dance at the Brodhead Armory to benefit the Armory's WPA Art Restoration Project. Thanks to Rebecca Binno, it was a big success. In addition, profits of $3,600 from the annual dinner's silent auction were also donated to this very worthwhile preservation effort.
In mid-1999, a planning committee was formed by the Board to make an analysis of our growing bank account balance, using the budget to determine what we had in excess of our operating needs. The next step was to research worthwhile prospective contributions/donations that DAADS might make with these funds we had raised in order to make a difference in our community. Based on their final recommendations, the Board approved the following contributions: a donation of $5,000 toward a permanent exhibit to be established at Greenfield Village in the Henry Ford Museum; the Dymaxion House, a futuristic, round, aluminum house conceived in the 1920s, will be restored for this exhibit—and our name will be listed on a permanent plaque at the exhibit.
A donation of $1,000 will be made to Preservation Wayne's general operating fund. P.W., a nonprofit organization very close to DAADS, was founded in 1975 to promote preservation efforts in the Detroit area. In relation to this donation, DAADS will sponsor an award given for the preservation of a 20th century building. This year's award, designed by Mick Iacobelli, will be presented to the Penobscot Building at the Preservation Wayne 2000 Honor Awards Dinner in March.
We have established an award of $1,000 to go to one student in the Historic Preservation Program at EMU, who will win the award based on the submission of a project related to the study of art deco architecture. The selection will be made by a committee comprised of DAADS members and EMU Preservation Program faculty who will review all projects submitted and then choose a winner. This is our way of promoting education and scholarly research of 20th century architecture. Lastly, an additional $1,500 will be donated to the Brodhead WPA Art Restoration Fund, once this building has been given historical designation by the City of Detroit.
We are very proud of the contributions we are making to our community. An additional benefit of these contributions is that DAADS' exposure continues to grow, and that helps to increase our membership. I'm also very proud of the group behind all these efforts—a very creative and hard working group of people — the 2000 Board of Directors. Their names are listed to the right. I am very excited about the upcoming year for DAADS. There are many things in the planning stages for this year, including another DAADS Garage Sale, and the exciting Art Deco Rug exhibit at Cranbrook beginning in June—so many reasons to be a member of DAADS!
Sincerely,
Robin Cohen, President
P.S. Please don't forget to patronize our loyal advertisers for goods and services suited to the deco enthusiast!
