New publication honors pioneering Virginia modernist Amaza Lee Meredith
The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University, alongside the Center for Art, Research and Alliances, has unveiled 'Dear Mazie: Sanctuary, Speculation, and Sky,' an innovative publication that delves into the legacy of Amaza Lee Meredith (1895–1984), recognized as the first Black queer woman architect in the U.S. This reader includes essays, dialogues, and artistic contributions that place Meredith's experiences within the broader narratives of placemaking, gender, sexuality, and Black love. Born in 1895 in Lynchburg, Virginia, she faced barriers to formal architectural education due to her race and gender. Nevertheless, she created significant architectural works in Virginia, such as Azurest South (1939), a groundbreaking modernist design, along with projects in New York and Texas.
Key facts
- Amaza Lee Meredith (1895–1984) was the first known Black queer woman architect in the US.
- The publication 'Dear Mazie,: Sanctuary, Speculation, and Sky' is an experimental reader.
- It was released by the Center for Art, Research and Alliances and the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University.
- Meredith was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1895.
- She was denied formal architecture training due to race and gender.
- She designed Azurest South in 1939, a modernist structure in Virginia.
- She also worked on projects in New York and Texas.
- The publication includes essays, conversations, and artistic interventions.
Entities
Artists
- Amaza Lee Meredith
Institutions
- Center for Art, Research and Alliances
- Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University
Locations
- Lynchburg
- Virginia
- United States
- New York
- Texas