October 10, 2010 (DURHAM, NC) – George Smart, founder and director of the award-winning non-profit Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH), will present his signature talk “Mayberry Modernism: North Carolina’s Modernist Legacy” in Raleigh and Asheville during October.
First, on October 21, North Carolina State University’s Gregg Museum of Art & Design in Raleigh hosts “Mayberry Modernism” at 6 p.m. in conjunction with the museum’s current exhibit “Southern Roots of Mid-century Modern.” The Gregg Museum operates under the Division of Student Affairs and is located in the Talley Student Center in the middle of the NCSU campus.
Next, on October 27, Smart presents “Mayberry Modernism” to the Asheville section of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Asheville). The luncheon begins at 12 noon in Tuton Hall at Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Downtown Asheville. The talk is open to the public but space is limited. The cost is $15 for AIA members and $20 for non-members. (To reserve a space at the luncheon, email: rsvp@aiaasheville.org.)
“Mayberry Modernism” showcases the state’s surprising collection of Modernist residences from the 1950s through today, many in great shape but some endangered or even destroyed. In 2007, Smart discovered many of the states “livable works of art” are endangered or have already been destroyed. Since startup in 2007, TMH has become the largest archive of Modernist residential architecture in the nation.
“Most people, even architects, are surprised by the number of Modernist houses in the state,” Smart said. “This presentation, developed over the last 12 months, discusses the history of Modernist houses in North Carolina and showcases multiple photographs of these terrific houses — from both the past and the present.”
Smart is a passionate advocate for Modernist architecture who continues to facilitate the public’s discovery the state’s architectural legacy through TMH’s extensive website at http://www.trianglemodernisthouses.com, house tours, trips, and other events. TMH also actively works to preserve Modernist houses by maintaining free, exclusive For Sale listing on the nonprofit’s website.
For more information on “Mayberry Modernism: North Carolina’s Modernist Legacy,” go to www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/presentations.htm.
About Triangle Modernist Houses
Triangle Modernist Houses (TMH) is a 501C3 nonprofit established in 2007 to restoring and growing modernist architecture in the Triangle. The award-winning website, now the largest educational and historical archive for modernist residential design in America, continues to catalog, preserve, and advocate for North Carolina modernism. TMH also hosts popular modernist house tours several times a year, giving the public access to the Triangle’s most exciting residential architecture, past and present. These tours raise awareness and help preserve these “livable works of art” for future generations. Visit the website at www.trianglemodernisthouses.com. TMH also has an active community on Facebook.
About the Gregg Museum of Art & Design:
The Gregg’s collecting focus reflects the mission of North Carolina State University and supports its academic programs by providing research opportunities for NCSU students and the citizens of North Carolina and beyond. The collection includes, but is not limited to, textiles, ceramics, outsider/folk art, photography, architectural drawings & modern furniture. The Gregg Museum of Art & Design also puts on 6-8 exhibitions per year in its two galleries, in addition to exhibiting work at various places in the Talley Student Center and around campus. For more information visit www.ncsu.edu/gregg.
About AIA Asheville:
AIA Asheville, one of 300 local and state components of The American Institute of Architects, unites the community of design professionals who live and work in the Western North Carolina region. For more information visit www.aiaasheville.org.
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