Janna Ireland on the Architectural Legacy of Paul Revere Williams in Nevada

Janna Ireland on the Architectural Legacy of Paul Revere Williams in Nevada features the contemporary photography of Janna Ireland, who explores the important contributions of architect Paul R. Williams (1894-1980) in Nevada. In 2016, Ireland was invited by architect Barbara Bestor, Executive Director of the Julius Shulman Institute in Los Angeles, to photograph structures in southern California designed by the African American architect Paul R. Williams. Unlike conventional architectural photographs that were intended to document every detail, Ireland’s shadowy photographs conjure a moody richness, inviting viewers to focus on unique architectural elements and how they may have been experienced.

Williams was the first licensed African American architect to work in the western region of the United States, designing buildings in the 1920s through the 1970s. His work in Nevada spans from the 1930s through the 1970s. Williams’ unique architectural creations earned him the name “Architect of the Stars,” as he also designed the homes of twentieth-century entertainers, some of which include Frank Sinatra and Cary Grant. His architectural body of work in Nevada includes residential homes that were designed to enrich the lives of all community members, commercial properties, and religious institutions.

This exhibition was organized by the Nevada Museum of Art.

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