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Paul R. Williams (1894-1980), best known as the "Architect to the Stars" for the mansions and homes he designed during the1920s, 1930s and 1940s for Hollywood's elite was a star himself. In 1923 he became the first African American member of the American Institute of Architects and his achievement was such that in the 1940s LOOK magazine proposed that he was the most successful black artist in the United States. With prodigious artistic talent, business acumen, hard work and charm, Williams overcame the obstacle of racism and during a career of almost 60 years he designed over 3,000 buildings. His portfolio demonstrates a capacity to design across a spectrum of styles from revivalist to futurist for residential, commercial and institutional projects.

Williams' designs in Palm Springs are modern versions of the buildings for which he is renowned: glamorous homes, watering holes and purveyors for his famous and wealthy clients. At this lecture, Leslie Luebbers will look at Williams' development as an architect for the luxury market and at his designs in Palm Springs, which include the home of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the El Mirador Resort and collaborations with A. Quincy Jones on the Palm Springs Tennis Club and the Town & Country Center.

Leslie Luebbers is director of the Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM) and director of the Paul R. Williams Project, founded in 2006 by AMUM and the Memphis chapter of the American Institute of Architects. She holds a PhD in 20th century art and architecture from New York University's Institute of Fine Arts.

The mission of the Paul R. Williams Project is to increase knowledge about this important 20th century architect and to encourage scholarship related to his career. www.paulrwilliamsproject.org