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The Layton School of Art

  • MPL Central Library 814 West Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI, 53233 United States (map)

The Layton School of Art Description

Docomomo US/Wisconsin will lecture about the history of the Layton School of Art and its 1951 lakefront building.

Join us for a presentation by Docomomo US/Wisconsin scholars about the architecture and history of the Layton School of Art. The school was founded by Charlotte Partridge and Miriam Frink in 1920 and became nationally known for offering progressive educational programs and unique classes. Faculty members Edgar Bartolucci and John Waldheim created a new, modern five-story school on Prospect Ave overlooking Lake Michigan on the idyllic property donated by Mrs. Elmore C. Lane. The building was horizontally banded by lavish glass windows and had two inspiring east-facing terraces and an auditorium that could hold 400 people. Waldheim declared the 1951 modern building the "finest of its kind in the country," maximizing the use of glass, concrete, and the longest cantilever suspensions ever used. Specifically designed for art students, it boasted 19 well-lit studios and numerous classrooms that could accommodate several hundred people. The building's existence abruptly ended in 1970 when it was demolished to make way for the Park and Lake Freeways that were never constructed.

AGE GROUP: | Teens (13-18) | Older Adults | Adults

EVENT TYPE: | Special Collections & Rare Books | History & Genealogy

NOTE: Classes and clubs are subject to changes and/or cancellations. Visit the host’s event page to check on the current status.


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