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Banking on Beauty: Millard Sheets and Midcentury Commercial Architecture

Good
  • Mid-Century Modern
  • Identity of Building/Site

Banking on Beauty: Millard Sheets and Midcentury Commercial Architecture

Site overview

Awards

Documentation

Citation of Merit

Commercial

2018

The jury awards a Citation of Merit to Adam Arenson for his research, inventory, and subsequent book titled Banking on Beauty documenting the art and architecture of Millard Sheets. The Millard Sheets Studio is responsible for creating more than two hundred works of commercial art and architecture in California and across the country. Arenson was driven to document the work of Sheets in 2009 after reading a Millard Sheets mural had been painted over in a former Home Savings and Loan Branch. His body of research illuminates the history of corporate sponsorship of art and architecture in small commercial buildings, something that is often overlooked.

“Arenson’s research has uncovered an extensive legacy of “every man modernism” that was largely unknown and underappreciated, and brings attention to main street architecture with real design value and the impact of individual grassroots efforts.”

- 2018 JuryAdam Arenson
Restoration Team

Adam Arenson

Case Study House No. 21

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