Today Audrey and I went to the Museum of Art and Culture. She could earn extra credit for one of her art/design classes if she attended and wrote up a paper. We found the displays they had today very interesting. They had an area with local Northwest history that I believe is a permanent display, but they had the different exhibits that are only on display for a short time. We enjoyed the paintings and sculptures in the art display, but both of us were fascinated with the display in the main area. It was called SpoMa: Spokane Modern Architecture. "
The 25-year period between 1948 and 1973 saw an unrivaled burst of architectural creativity in Spokane - greater than that of anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest. Trained by Walter Gropius, schooled in Europe, wooed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and determined to push the design envelope, Spokane's mid-century architects changed the face of the city and received national recognition for their efforts". The display showed buildings such as the Civic Theatre (1967), the US Courthouse (1967), the Pence Union Building EWU (1971), Parkade Parking Garage (1967) and the Spokane International Airport (1965).
Above picture, lower right, is the Spokane International Airport (1965). The quote from one of the placards: "
A joint venture between Warren Heylman and Bill Trogdon, the Spokane International Airport project was comprehensive in its scope, consisting of master planning, air field work, and design of the passenger terminal building. And it was a resounding success. In "A Reason for Pride," a six-page feature published in the June 1965 Air West magazine, West Coast Airlines president Nick Bez cited the "magnificent new airport facilities" and noted the "progressiveness" of the area. "Spokane International Airport is a big league establishment," he wrote. "It is impressive."
Above picture, lower left, shows Eero Saarinen Tulip Chairs (1957) and Eero Saarinen Round Dining Table (1956).
After the museum, we went to Chili's for lunch and got the 2/$20 special. We each ordered an entree and shared an appetizer. We ordered the Margherita Flat bread and will definitely be having that again (Monterey jack cheese, mozzarella, garlic aioli, fresh tomatoes, cilantro-ranch pesto).
