MIAMI DESIGN PRESERVATION LEAGUE
There was going to be no more poverty, no more ignorance, no more disease. Art Deco reflected that confidence, vigor and optimism by using symbols of progress, speed and power. ~ Robert McGregor
Our Mission
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Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) is a nonprofit organization devoted to preserving, protecting, and promoting the cultural, social, economic, environmental and architectural integrity of the Miami Beach Architectural Historic District and all other areas of the City of Miami Beach where historic preservation is a concern. It was originally organized by Barbara Capitman in 1976 and is the oldest Art Deco Society in the World.
MDPL provides cultural and educational programs to Miami-Dade County residents, surrounding counties, citizens of Florida and to national and international visitors and tourists. Our programs are developed for the general public and have special appeal to those interested in art, design, architecture, history, preservation, urban and community planning and development.
With the view of the architecture and design of the Art Deco District as a “Living Hands-On Neighborhood Museum,” we see our role as guardians of the District as threefold: • to advocate preservation policies on the local and national level that preserve architectural and cultural integrity;
• to develop special events and educational programs that provide awareness and understanding of the Art Deco District and the importance of preserving our communities and cultural heritage; and • to provide a means for active and direct community involvement through our membership and by creating a network of partnerships with other community and cultural organizations on the local, national and international level.
“Historic neighborhoods are not only made up of significant and contributing buildings, but they include the people that inhabit them, the public places and green spaces they are surrounded by. Without careful and consistent review of all of these elements, a neighborhood fades away.” —Michael Kinerk, MDPL Chairman, 2001 State of the District Report
Administration Staff Interim Executive Director Marie Hernandez • Director of Development Amy Tancig • Director of Retail Sales Iris Chase • Director of Finance Susan Walcutt • Tour Manager Jack Johnson • Marketing/PR Special Projects Jose Lima • Facilities Manager Wilmer Casaña • Sales Associate Liza Nixon • Chair, Barbara Baer Capitman Archives Dennis Wilhelm •
The Art Deco District came to the attention of the art world as a result of “Surrounded Islands,” an installation by artists Christo and JeanneClaude in which a series of 11 islands in Biscayne Bay were wrapped in pink fabric. During the installation, the artists established their “headquarters” in the Art Deco District.
Board of Directors GaryAppel•JohnBachay•ErikaBrigham•AndrewCapitman• WilliamCary•BarryChase•BethDunlop•SusanFernandez• MegFlorian•JaneGross•KentHamrick•EricHolland• JackJohnson•MichaelKinerk•ChristinaLaBuzetta• ArthurMarcus•MitchNovick•IleanaOroza•JeanPerwin• StevePynes•LawrenceSaichek•CharlesUrstadt
Miami is one of these great places that is a really sensual and beautiful place – Michael Mann
A Brief History May 1988 Miami Beach Art Deco Guide was published by MDPL. The guidebook contained six self-guided walking tours of the Art Deco District.
October 13-19, 1978 Art Deco Week organized by MDPL. The festival was held at and around the Cardozo Hotel on Ocean Drive. Barbara Capitman created the event as a showcase for the Art Deco section of Miami Beach hoping to attract both locals and tourists to the area which was comprised of an elderly population.
March, 1980 Andy Warhol called the MDPL office and asked if someone would show him the Art Deco buildings in Miami Beach. He was given a tour led by MDPL founder, Barbara Baer Capitman and Diana Camber the Executive Director of MDPL, This gave our new historic district a stamp of approval from an artworld celebrity.
July, 1985
Renowned fashion photographer Bruce Weber chose Miami Beach’s Breakwater Hotel for a photo shoot for an ad for Calvin Klein’s “Obsession,” spurring an onslaught of fashion photography shoots in the Art Deco District.
December, 1976 MDPL held its first large-scale public meeting, dubbed the “Design Forum.”
Miami Design Preservation League
Administrative Office
Official Art Deco Gift Shop
PO Box 190180 Miami Beach FL 33119 – 0180 305-672-2014 305-200-0195 FAX
1130 Washington Av Miami Beach FL 33139 305-672-2014
1200 Ocean Drive Miami Beach FL 33139 305-531-3484
www.mdpl.org