Three LA Museums Celebrate Paul R. Williams' Legacy
Following the acquisition of his archive by the Getty Research Institute and USC School of Architecture, three prominent museums in Los Angeles are hosting exhibitions dedicated to Black architect Paul R. Williams (1894-1980). At USC's Fisher Museum of Art, 'An Architect Considered' runs from August 18, 2025, to March 3, 2027, emphasizing 31 housing projects aimed at underserved communities. Meanwhile, the LA County Museum of Art will present 'Architect for Living' from November 15, 2025, to May 31, 2027, showcasing his varied architectural contributions. The Getty's exhibition, 'Architecture Across the Color Line,' will be available from December 15, 2025, to March 14, 2027, celebrating his dedication to the Black community. Williams, the first registered Black architect west of the Mississippi, was awarded the AIA Gold Medal posthumously in 2017.
Key facts
- Paul R. Williams (1894-1980) was the first registered Black architect west of the Mississippi.
- Three LA museums are hosting exhibitions on Williams: Fisher Museum of Art, LACMA, and Getty Research Institute.
- The Getty Research Institute and USC School of Architecture jointly acquired Williams' archive.
- Fisher Museum's 'An Architect Considered' runs August 18, 2025 - March 3, 2027.
- LACMA's 'Architect for Living' runs November 15, 2025 - May 31, 2027.
- Getty's 'Architecture Across the Color Line' runs December 15, 2025 - March 14, 2027.
- Williams designed homes for Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Barbara Stanwyck, and Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson.
- Williams posthumously received the AIA Gold Medal in 2017.
Entities
Artists
- Paul R. Williams
- Frank Sinatra
- Cary Grant
- Barbara Stanwyck
- Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson
- Maristella Casciato
- Michael Webb
- Escher GuneWardena
- Leonard Nadel
- Harry Drinkwater
- Charles Eames
- Ray Eames
- Richard Neutra
- Paul Revere Williams
Institutions
- Getty Research Institute
- University of Southern California School of Architecture
- Fisher Museum of Art
- LA County Museum of Art
- American Institute of Architects
- Escher GuneWardena Architecture
- Eames House
- Lovell Health House
- First African Methodist Episcopal Church of LA
- Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company
- Southeast Housing Architects
- Housing Commission
- National Board of Municipal Housing
- American Film Institute
- Smithsonian
- Wallpaper
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
- USC Fisher Museum of Art
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Beverly Hills
- Lafayette Square
- Crestwood Hills
- Palm Springs
- California
- Las Vegas
- Cuba
- London
- Europe
- Asia