6 By Cliff Summerhill E merging in the 1920s and 1930s, Art Deco was known for its bold geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and decorative motifs. This style became particularly notable in Phoenix due to the city’s rapid growth and development during that period. There has been a growing appreciation for that architecture in Phoenix in recent years, and organizations like the Phoenix Art Deco Society (PADS) are here to help promote awareness of these historic structures. Founder and President Erin Lindsey is an Arizona native whose interest in the architecture form came from her love of the bold fashions of the moderne movement. Over the years, she has been collecting rare vintage pieces from the 20s and 30s, which has developed into an obsession with the architecture, music, dancing, art, and cultural movement of the era – and why, in 2023, she decided to create a nonprofit to preserve it. Lindsey felt that Phoenix deserved the same treatment as cities like New York and Chicago and created PADS to keep the spirit of the design form alive in Phoenix. “All of these bigger cities are doing these awesome events and have this community of people like me,” Lindsey said. “I was sick and tired of not having events like that in Phoenix, and I said, ‘forget it’ and decided I was just going to do it myself.” Phoenix group aims to preserve the Art Deco history of the city At 14 stories, Luhrs Tower was the tallest building in the city when it was completed in 1929. "More than just a design philosophy, Art Deco was a cultural movement in a time of experimentation and innovation." Fall 2024

7 The Arizona Biltmore Hotel, opened in 1929, is often referred to as the “Jewel of the Desert.” It was designed by Albert Chase McArthur, a former draftsman of Frank Lloyd Wright. One of Erin’s favorite collected pieces is a 1920s gold lame robe that she purchased at a local antique shop. Erin says the glamour of a gold robe like this perfectly embodies the Art Deco Era’s sense of extravagance and luxury and she feels like she is giving it another life after the many people who wore it before. Continued on page 8 PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE PHOENIX ART DECO SOCIETY A year later, PADS has a board of passionate advocates, a growing membership, and a host of happenings that bring excitement and education focused on Phoenix’s architectural roots. The group has put on walking tours in Downtown Phoenix, historical cocktail tastings at the Arizona Biltmore, author discussions, events at Heritage Square, and even an “old school” car show in partnership with the Martin Auto Museum in Glendale. The organization is also part of the International Coalition of Art Deco Societies and helps connect people to educational events hosted by other societies worldwide. “It started as an outlet for events and activities that share this passion, but it has really grown into more of a preservation angle as well,” Lindsey said. While events remain critical to the society’s mission, Lindsey has partnered with local groups like Preserve Phoenix to help ensure Art Deco elements and buildings survive the city's never-ending development. “Whether you like buildings or cars or music or the fashion component, there are so many avenues that can get you invested in this history,” Lindsey said. She also credits the business community for helping the nonprofit grow over the last year and will continue to branch out as efforts increase in 2025. As the 100th anniversary of the Art Deco genre approaches next year, the society is working hard to ramp up fundraising, host more educational events, and foster even greater community support in preservation efforts, including the creation of a digital archive of Art Deco buildings in Phoenix to foster connections to physical history. “We are also trying to figure out ways to give back to the community, such as scholarship opportunities for high school students who are interested in arts and culture,” Lindsey said.