Midcentury Modern designers highlight Museum exhibit

SAN BERNARDINO>> Two southern California mid century modern designers, Paul Revere Williams and Maria Kipp, are the subject of an exhibit opening at the San Bernardino County Museum on Saturday, Feb. 4, “Visions of Southern California: The Mid Century Modern Designs of Paul Revere Williams and Maria Kipp.” Williams was a pioneer of modernist architecture, and the first African-American architect to win the American Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal, awarded to him in 2017, 37 years after his death. Kipp was an innovator in interior and fabric design and ran a successful factory, supplying high profile projects in the region. Williams, born in 1894 and orphaned at age four, grew up in Los Angeles, graduated from USC’s School of Architecture and Engineering, and in 1921 became the first African-American certified architect west of the Mississippi. His work ranged from iconic buildings such as the LAX Theme Building and the Arrowhead Springs Hotel to public housing projects and civic buildings such as the Ontario Post Office. In addition, he was a favorite of Hollywood celebrities designing homes in Los Angeles and Palm Springs for Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Tyrone Power and others. Kipp was born in Germany in 1900 and was the first woman to be accepted at the State Academy for the Textile Industry in Bavaria. She moved to Los Angeles in 1924 and established herself as a trend-setting designer. For 60 years she operated her textile business and designed interiors, sometimes working with Williams to create environments for celebrity homes and famous public spaces like the Beverly Hills Hotel Polo Lounge. The exhibit has been developed by the curatorial team of Jennifer Dickerson, Maggie Latimer and David Myers. According to the team, both Kipp and Williams “broke stereotypes in design fields where their race and gender were not the norm. ‘Visions of Southern California’ celebrates their work and recognizes their contributions to the social advancement of their professions.” While the exhibit opens on Saturday, Feb. 4, an exhibit preview for museum members and invited guests is scheduled for the evening of Feb. 3. The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands.