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        • Book Launch and Presentation: Timeless Tapestries of Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman
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        • Gustafson Residence, 1956; Going Going Gone!
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        • Lisl Close and the Legacy of Modern Design
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Ackerman Raffle Items Announced for April 23, 2025 Film Screening Event

4/8/2025

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​Join Docomomo US/MN for a special evening celebrating the life and work of Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman at the Goldstein Museum of Design on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 5:30–7:00 PM.

The program includes:
Film Screening – In Tandem: The Life and Work of Jerry and Evelyn Ackerman
Presentation – A Life and Legacy of Design: Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman, presented by Laura Ackerman-Shaw

The evening will conclude with a raffle benefiting Docomomo US/MN. 

Raffle tickets are $5 each, with one free ticket for each current member of Docomomo US/MN in attendance. Raffle tickets are only available in-person at the Goldstein Museum. Winning tickets will be drawn at approximately 7:15pm On April 23, 2025.

Raffle prizes include:
– A special edition DVD of In Tandem
– Limited-edition event posters
– A handcrafted wood carving, Foliage #1 (1976) designed by Evelyn Ackerman (!)

The DVD and wood carving were generously donated by Ackerman Modern. Winners can take these prizes home at the end of the evening. Posters will be available for pickup or shipping after April 26, 2025.

Don’t miss this inspiring celebration of two mid century icons—and a wonderful opportunity to support Docomomo US/MN.

More Information and Tickets:
https://www.docomomo-us-mn.org/film-screening-and-presentation-a-life-and-legacy-of-design-evelyn-and-jerome-ackerman
​

Prize Details:


​Item 1: Foliage #1 [Wood Carving]
Item Description: Carved in ash in Southern California for ERA Industries. Natural finish. Designed by Evelyn Ackerman, 1976.
Size: 16” x 2-3/4”
Quantity: 1

Item 2: In Tandem: The Life and Work of Jerry and Evelyn Ackerman [DVD]
Item Description: Special Edition DVD of In Tandem by filmmakers Margaret Halkin and Katie Nartonis.
22 minutes; 2015
Quantity: 1

Items 2-10: Docomomo US/MN Spring 2025 Ackerman Events Posters [Inkjet Prints]
Item Description: Promotional posters used for the Docomomo US/MN Spring 2025 Ackerman Events. Each unique poster features one of the many mediums used by Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman: Ceramic, Mosaic, Tapestry, Wood, Hardware, Hooking, Silk Screen and Finger Puppets!
Size:
20’ x 30”
Quantity: 8
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Ackerman Modern + Docomomo US/MN Limited Edition Collaboration

4/4/2025

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In celebration of the 2025 Minnesota lectures and book launch of Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman: California Mid-Century Designers by Laura Ackerman-Shaw, Docomomo US/MN is proud to present a limited-edition collaboration with Ackerman Modern.

These exclusive items – designed as both tributes and keepsakes – honor the joyful, modernist spirit of the Ackermans’ work. Featuring reimagined designs from Evelyn Ackerman’s original tapestries, each piece in this capsule collection offers a tactile connection to mid-century California design.

Whether you're picking up a vibrant Blossom Tote for your next museum visit or sending a bold Launch Pad Blank Card to a fellow design enthusiast, these pieces celebrate timeless form, craft, and color.

Quantities are limited—don’t miss your chance to own a piece of this meaningful collaboration.

The items will be for sale during the in-person events at the Goldstein Museum of Design, the Champagne Reception in Prospect Park, and the Weaving Studio Open House. 

Products Available:

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​Blossom Tote

This artful tote is both a tribute and a functional keepsake—perfect for books, sketchpads, or your next museum visit.

Silk-screened with a bold reinterpretation of Blossom, a 1972 tapestry design by Evelyn Ackerman, the image plays with dimension—appearing at once flat and beveled through carefully selected alternating colors. The original 23-by-42-inch wall hanging was offered in multiple colorways, including a rare version with a blue flower.

Created in collaboration with Ackerman Modern for the 2025 Minnesota lectures and book launch of Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman: California Mid-Century Designers by Laura Ackerman-Shaw, this limited-edition tote honors the legacy of the Ackermans’ joyful, modernist designs.

Price: $35
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Launch Pad Blank Card

Printed on heavyweight stock and paired with a classic envelope, this card is perfect for a thoughtful note—or as a collectible keepsake.
  
The design features Launch Pad, one of four large-scale tapestry designs introduced in 1970 that maximized the loom’s capacity for 44-by-70-inch weavings. With bold geometry inspired by the Apollo 11 rocket launch, Launch Pad combined scale and abstraction to striking effect.

A vivid celebration of color, form, and California modernism—ready to share or display.

Designed in collaboration with Ackerman Modern for the 2025 lectures and Minnesota book launch of Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman: California Mid-Century Designers by Laura Ackerman-Shaw, this limited-edition card pays tribute to the Ackermans’ joyful, modernist legacy.
 
Size: 5” x 7”

Price: $4.00 each
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​Book By Laura Ackerman-Shaw –
Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman: California Mid-Century Designers


Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman, the prolific artists and designers, were central to the development of mid-century design in California. Their creative output is remarkable for its diverse styles, media, and techniques, including textiles, mosaics, ceramics, woodcarvings, and metal that were both modern and accessible not only to interior designers and architects but to a growing middle class hungry for beautiful decor.

The Ackermans’ designs, a reflection of their fine arts and studio craft training, are celebrated for their vibrant embodiment of the modernist sensibility and artisanal attention to detail and craftsmanship. In Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman: California Mid-Century Designers, their daughter, Laura Ackerman-Shaw, who has expanded their legacy with both commercial success and institutional recognition, takes the reader through her parents’ unique contributions to post-war design in America. With essays by leading design historians and curators, and richly illustrated with numerous never-before-seen drawings, photographs, and archival materials, this stunning book presents the inspired and inspiring story of a lifetime of artistic partnership.

Size: 9” x 12”
256 pages

Price: $75
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Saint John's Abbey Church to be Featured in New Book by Docomomo International

9/25/2024

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Photo By Pete Sieger

Docomomo US/MN is excited to announce the inclusion of Saint John's Abbey Church as one of only 10 sites in the United States to be featured in a new book to be published by Docomomo International.

Joining national Modernist treasures such as the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis and the Glass House in New Canaan, the Marcel Breuer-designed Abbey Church in Collegeville, MN places Minnesota Modernism in the international spotlight.

Succeeding the 2000 publication The Modern Movement in Architecture: Selections from The Docomomo Registers, Docomomo International is working to produce an upcoming book that celebrates a new cross section of member nations’ most eminent Modern heritage sites. Publication is scheduled for 2025.

​Special thanks to MN Photographer, Pete Sieger for contributing images of Saint John's Abbey Church for the new publication.

Read more about the upcoming book and site selection process at Docomomo US.
See more about the Saint John's Abbey Church.
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Jane King Hession Wins Modernism In America Award for Elizabeth Scheu Close: A Life in Modern Architecture, Book and Exhibition

9/11/2024

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A Modernism in America Inventory/Survey Award of Excellence is presented to Elizabeth Scheu Close: A Life in Modern Architecture (book and exhibition), for its achievement in documenting the legacy of one of Minnesota’s earliest Modern architects and one of America’s pioneering women in architecture. This project, a collaboration between author Jane King Hession and the University of Minnesota Press, chronicles the life and work of Elizabeth “Lisl” Scheu Close, offering insights into her significant contributions to Modernism.

The book traces her journey, from her origins in Vienna, Austria, through her education at MIT, and her co-founding of Minnesota’s first Modern architectural practice. It sheds light on the challenges she faced due to her gender and highlights her role in designing more than 250 Modern residences and various public buildings that have shaped Minnesota's architectural landscape.

The accompanying exhibition, both physical and digital, broadens the reach of this important narrative, engaging diverse audiences and fostering a deeper appreciation for Close’s work. “Given the lack of scholarship on women architects, the book and exhibit are to be applauded. The biographic information was stunning,” commented jury chair Gail Kennard.

Watch recording of Docomomo US/MN event: Women in Architecture: Lisl Close and the Legacy of Modern Design
View exhibition materials at the Goldstein Museum
Elizabeth Scheu Close: A Life in Modern Architecture at University of Minnesota Press
List of 2024 Modernism in America Award winners

Project Team: University of Minnesota Press (Publisher); Jane King Hession (Author and Curator); Joan Soranno (foreword); Pieter Martin (Senior Editor); Laura Westlund (Managing Editor); Eric Lundgren (Development and Outreach Manager); Anne Carter (Editorial Assistant); Rachel Moeller (Assistant Production Manager and Art Director); Emily Hamilton (Associate Director for Book Publishing); Heather Skinner (Publicity Director); Matt Smiley (Senior Sales Manager); Maggie Sattler (Digital Marketing Manager); Jeff Moen (Rights, Permissions, and Contracts Coordinator); Jena Sher (designer); William B. Olexy (Photographer); Goldstein Museum of Design, University of Minnesota (Exhibition Host); Lin Nelson-Mayson (Museum Director); Soo Jin Kang (Exhibition Designer); Rolf Anderson (Nominator)

Donors: Georgia Bizios; Lynda and Darel Jacobsen; Edward J. Kodet, Jr., FAIA; Mark Larson and Jean Rehkamp Larson; Michaela Mahady; Rosemary McMonigal; Lea Babcock Scherer and Jeffrey Scherer; Anne Close Ulmer, Roy M. Close, and Bob Close; James and Megan Dayton; Dale and Jan Mulfinger; Gladys and Roger Reiling

Grant Support: Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation; Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts
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MN Modern Registry Receives Modernism in America Award of Excellence

9/10/2024

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New York, New York, September 10, 2024 – Docomomo US today announces 16 recipients of the 2024 Modernism in America Awards. Now in its 11th year, the Awards celebrate the documentation, preservation and reuse of Modern buildings, structures and landscapes built in the United States or on U.S. territory and recognize building owners, design teams, individuals, and preservation organizations that have made significant efforts to retain, restore, and advocate for the aesthetic and cultural value of such places. 

Inventory/Survey Award of Excellence:
Docomomo US/MN Minnesota Modern Registry

Location: Minnesota
Project Team: Bobak Ha'Eri (Creator, Developer, and Researcher), Docomomo US/Minnesota

The Docomomo US/MN chapter’s Minnesota Modern Registry receives an Inventory/Survey Award of Excellence for its achievement in documenting Modern architecture across an expansive regional landscape. This project meticulously catalogued over 9,000 properties, distilling vast amounts of data from diverse sources into a user-friendly, evolving resource. Its centerpiece, the Registry Map, provides a rich, interactive platform showcasing structures, districts, architects, and photographic documentation of properties built from the 1920s through the 1980s.

The Registry's comprehensive Works Cited, featuring more than 5,300 entries, underscores the depth and breadth of research involved, highlighting the exceptional dedication of board member Bobak Ha’Eri, who brought this ambitious vision to fruition. This initiative serves as a critical foundation for future scholarship, preservation, and public engagement with Minnesota’s Modern resources. By employing Google Maps, the Registry ensures accessibility, ease of use, and adaptability, while also facilitating future expansions and contributions.

With nearly 150,000 views as of June 2024, the Registry is an invaluable asset for researchers, enthusiasts, and the public alike. “An impressive amount of work was done here, and it is evergreen – accessible and expandable for future additions or revisions,” jury chair Gail Kennard highlighted. “Excellent pre-planning; I love that it is serving as a template for others – they have already helped Wisconsin start their version,” added jury member Rocío Aranda-Alvarado. 

Explore the Minnesota Modern Registry
List of 2024 Modernism in America Award winners
2024 Modernism in America Press Release

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Docomomo US/MN + House Logos Merch Collab

9/2/2024

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Docomomo US/MN is excited to announce our first ever merch collab with John Doessel of House Logos! 
 
John is a Midwest artist out of Chicago who shares our passion for Mid-Century design and architecture. You have likely seen his work all over Instagram. If not, you’re in for a real treat. John has perfected the art of reimagining architecture as minimal artwork. He has created thousands of House Logos for homes all over the world.
 
We’ve partnered with John to bring to life 5 iconic Minnesota Mid-Century gems. The Northwestern National Life Insurance building, the Shepherd House, the Elam House, an original Soft Serve Stand, and of course, the Lindholm Service Station. Totes, hats, stickers, magnets, and a limited edition signed poster are all coming your way.
 
The merch will launch at the 2024 Mid-Century Fall Home Tour and only be available in person during fall events. 
 
This is a limited-edition collab. When it’s gone, it’s gone. Don’t miss out.
 
Still don’t have your Fall Home Tour tickets? No problem, there are still some left! Grab yours today.
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Board Members Recap the 2024 National Symposium in Miami, FL

8/22/2024

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Photo credit: Docomomo US

This year's Docomomo US Symposium was my first, and it was such a treat to attend. While I enjoyed the talks and tours, the connections I made with members of the Docomomo US Board + Staff are my most valued souvenirs. Seeing Alfred Browning Parker's "Woodsong" in-person was absolutely stunning and a tour that I will treasure for years to come. 

Meeting Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk was also very memorable. At the time I met her, I had no idea I was talking to a luminary in the field or architecture, but after a brief lesson from fellow board-member, Todd Grover, I knew exactly the work that her + her husband are pioneers of. Miami was delightful, and while the symposium was overall a success, it gave me a deeper appreciation of all the modernist treasures that we live amongst in Minnesota. 

-Peter Barile, Board Member

The 2024 Miami Docomomo Symposium was a delicious exploration of South Florida's mid-century modern architecture, from the urban evolution of Coral Gables to the residential artistry of Alfred Browning Parker and the innovative designs in Ft. Lauderdale by McKirahan and IBM Boca Raton by Breuer. These tours provided a delightful understanding of how the region evolved and showcased the lasting influence of prominent architects. The symposium was a reminder of the rich architectural heritage of South Florida and the ongoing efforts to preserve its unique character amidst contemporary challenges.

-Stephen Magner, Board Member

The National Symposium is always a highlight of the year. A chance for exposure to a different variety of modernism than what we are used to in Minnesota. Miami and, more generally, South Florida were the perfect backdrop for the challenges of preserving these innovative and futuristic designs of the mid-century. The University of Miami in Coral Gables hosted a variety of informative speaking sessions. A highlight for me was learning more about the evolution of the U’s campus post-war in a session and then following it up with a walk on the grounds. 

Other highlights included the annual chapters meeting checking in on work around the country at our over 20 regional chapters, boat tour of the abandoned Miami Marine Stadium with their dedicated advocates, and a closing keynote by the Chair of Docomomo International, Uta Pottgeisser, on the state of the organization at the international level. 
​
-Amy Van Gessel, Board President
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Modern Enthusiasts Enjoy Mixing at findfurnish

6/27/2024

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Two Close Associates Cabins for Sale in Northern Minnesota

8/9/2023

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'Thunderhead' Cabin, Lake Vermillion; Close Associates, 1959

​Two extensive lakeshore properties featuring mid-century cabins designed by Close Associates have recently come up for sale in Northern Minnesota. Both properties have large acreage and private lakeshore; and have been in the same families for decades.

The Whitefish Chain Estate is located near Pine River, MN and includes more than 100 acres of forest, and 2000 feet of shoreline on Lower Whitefish Lake. The 1956 cabin designed by Close Associates is about 1500 square feet and features floor-to-ceiling windows, a wood-burning fireplace, a screened-in porch and wraparound deck overlooking the lake.
Article: Lake estate kept in the same family for over 100 years listed for $3.5M
See the Listing Here

Designed over a 2-decade period, the property that Lisl Close named 'Thunderhead' was completed between 1957 and 1959. Situated on a peninsula on the North shore of Lake Vermillion, the secluded property is only accessible by boat. It includes a boathouse/ workshop and a 2400 square foot, L-shaped cabin which features original fixtures, finishes and color palette. Multiple Conversation Areas unite the cabin and outdoor spaces.
Article: ​Wanna Buy a Mid-Century Modern Cabin Designed by a Pioneering Architect?
​See the Listing Here
Thunderhead was featured on the Docomomo US/MN Cabin Culture! tour in 2021 – fast forward to 1:04 to see the interview!
​
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Peavey Plaza Receives 2022 Civic/Institutional Design Award of Excellence

11/17/2022

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A Civic/Institutional Design Award of Excellence is given for the rehabilitation of Peavey Plaza, originally designed by M. Paul Friedberg and Associates and completed in 1975.

Landscape architect M. Paul Friedberg conceived the Peavey Plaza as the “living room” of downtown Minneapolis. The result was an iconic sunken plaza that balanced the tranquility of a central reflecting pool with a cascading concrete fountain and active programming that filled the plaza.

By the late 2000s, the Brutalist fountains had run dry and were slated for demolition. A consortium of local and national advocates, including M. Paul Friedberg himself, successfully convinced the city that the site was worth saving (this effort was recognized with a Docomomo US Advocacy Award of Excellence in 2014).

The renovated plaza opened during the summer of 2019. One of the biggest changes, raising the basin of the sunken plaza from 10” to ¼”, not only created a more welcoming and flexible space, it also reduced water usage by tens of thousands of gallons. Additional improvements include a new, fully accessible entry experience placed along Nicollet Mall, with select terraces converted to permeable pavers. All this was accomplished through a consensus-building process while negotiating many layers of review.

Today, the plaza stands restored to its original splendor with issues of universal access resolved and infrastructure challenges addressed while still retaining the Plaza’s character defining features.

Read More about Peavey Plaza
List of 2022 Modernism in America Award winners
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Unless otherwise noted, site photographs courtesy of  Peter J. Sieger Architectural Photography 


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