Past Exhibitions

The Vision of the Nation’s Capital

The National Mall

The Society presented a pilot version of its short documentary on the legacy of the L’Enfant Plan of 1791 and the continuing relevance of Washington’s classical civic-art heritage on June 24, 2009. Aside from underscoring past achievements, despite formidable obstacles, in the configuration of the city’s great vistas, “The Vision of the Nation’s Capital” makes the powerful case for a new classical plan to once again perpetuate the legacy, just as the McMillan Plan of 1901 did. The documentary also highlights the unfortunate consequences of the neglect of the classical architectural tradition since World War II. Three veteran documentary filmmakers were invited to the screening, which took place at the City Tavern Club in Georgetown, so the Society could benefit from their critical input.

The response to the pilot, from experts and non-experts alike, was overwhelmingly positive. After the screening, the Society’s guest of honor, Congressman Jim Cooper of Tennessee, stepped up to the podium to offer his impromptu reaction. “Washington’s classical architectural heritage is appreciated by visitors from around the world,” he said. “We should also note the pride that people take in working in classically-designed Federal office buildings. The contrast between these august edifices and the cold, sterile boxes erected in the city’s center since the 1950s reminds me of Prince Charles’s ‘monstrous carbuncle’ remark.” (The Prince aimed his famous remark at a futuristic design for an addition to the National Gallery in London that was never realized.) “The National Civic Art Society is doing great work,” the congressman declared. “Keep it up.”

Among the many distinguished guests at the screening was Bruce Cole, immediate past chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The pilot was made possible by the support of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and Mr. Ronald Lee Fleming.

Old Carnegie Library Building

Carnegie Building

Current DC Main Public Library

Proposed site plan
by Notre Dame first-year
graduate student
Kalinda Brown

Proposed main elevation
by Notre Dame first-year
graduate student
Grant Saller

In 2007 the Society approached the School of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame about pegging a design studio to the expansion and renovation of the old Carnegie Library Building in downtown Washington. This beaux-arts landmark ceased to serve as the city’s main public library in 1972, being supplanted by a much larger Mies van der Rohe-designed facility.

The Carnegie is now occupied by the Historical Society of Washington, DC. But there is general agreement that the building fails to adequately exploit its spacious, high-profile downtown site, Mount Vernon Square, while the Mies building has proven unpopular with library users and staff alike. City leaders have discussed the possibility of moving the main library branch back into an enlarged and improved Carnegie building.

Notre Dame architecture professor David Mayernik took an interest in the site and arranged for his Fall 2007 first-year graduate studio to focus on designing the Carnegie’s expansion in a sympathetic classical manner. The design studio focused on improving the building as opposed to settling the issue of its future institutional use.

The Society hosted Professor Mayernik and his seven students at a dinner in October. A lively and productive discussion of various aspects of the design problem resulted. On the morning of December 12, a jury review of the student designs took place at the Carnegie building. Merrick T. Malone, chair of the Historical Society’s board of trustees, graciously agreed to serve on the review panel. After lunch, the student work was exhibited to the public in the Carnegie building, and that evening the Society hosted a private reception for Professor Mayernik and his students at which the designs were again displayed to an enthusiastic audience.

Inaugural Exhibition

DIANA AND FOUR WOMEN
IN THE FOREST
by EDWARD SCHMIDT

In 2004 the Society presented its inaugural exhibition of painting, drawing, and sculpture. The exhibition was on view from April 2 until May 15 at the Arts Club of Washington, which occupies the historic James Monroe House. This important exhibition presented a generous cross-section of contemporary traditionally-oriented art and design. The Society anticipates organizing another such exhibition in the near future.

Here is a list of the distinguished exhibitors:

Painting:
Neilson Carlin, Patrick Connors, Steven Gjertson, John Woodrow Kelley, James Langley, Robert Liberace, Benjamin Long, Edward Schmidt, Frank Strazzula, Ruth Stroik, William Swetcharnik, Richard Weaver, Will Wilson, William Woodward

Sculpture:
Jay Hall Carpenter, Michael Curtis, Anthony Frudakis, George M. Kelly, Brad Parker, Alexander Stoddart, Cheryl Wheat

Graphic Art:
Elliott Banfield, Randolph Melick

Washington Medal
by Michael Curtis

Architectural Drawing:
Steve Bass, Cecile Devemey, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co., Franck Lohsen McCrery, Milton Grenfell, David Mayernik, Thomas V. Noble, Steven W. Semes, Duncan Stroik

This exhibition was made possible in part through the generous support of Mr. Brett Rugo of Rugo Stone, Mr. Kevin Zeluck of Zeluck Architectural Wood Windows and Doors, and Mr. T.A.D. Tharp.