Honoring Paul R. Williams: How Three Iconic LA Institutions Celebrate a Pioneering Architect
Los Angeles Art Institutions to Honor Architect Paul R. Williams in Major Series of Exhibitions
From August 2026 to July 2027, three prominent art institutions in Los Angeles—the Getty, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and the USC Fisher Museum of Art—will host a coordinated series of exhibitions celebrating the life and legacy of architect Paul R. Williams (1894–1980).
Williams, a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in 20th-century architecture and civil rights, was the first Black architect licensed west of the Mississippi. He also became the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects and, posthumously, the first Black architect to receive the AIA’s highest honor, the Gold Medal, in 2017. Over nearly six decades, Williams designed more than 3,000 projects, establishing himself as one of the most prolific and influential architects of his time.
The exhibitions will draw from the Paul R. Williams Archive, jointly acquired in 2020 by the Getty Research Institute and the USC School of Architecture. They will feature architectural drawings, photographs, plans, and memorabilia, with many pieces on view for the first time. Together, these works highlight Williams’s significance not only in the realm of modern architecture but also as a socially conscious practitioner whose influence transformed Los Angeles.
Among his renowned projects are iconic institutions such as the Beverly Hills Hotel and designs for military clients, as well as luxurious homes for Hollywood stars like Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball. Williams was also deeply committed to serving Los Angeles’s Black community, designing structures like the First African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company. These buildings provided critical support and financial opportunities during a time marked by racial segregation and exclusion.
In addition, Williams contributed to major civic initiatives, including the Downtown Civic Center and Los Angeles International Airport. His service on various planning commissions and agencies also underscored his commitment to shaping urban policy. His impactful work earned him accolades such as the NAACP Spingarn Medal and honorary doctorates from notable universities.
This upcoming exhibition series represents the first major museum presentations dedicated to Paul R. Williams. It will be accompanied by a scholarly catalogue, a digital exhibition, and public programs designed to emphasize his extraordinary influence on architecture both locally and globally.
Exhibition Details
“Paul R. Williams: An Architect Considered”
USC Fisher Museum of Art
August 18, 2026, to March 13, 2027
This exhibition, organized by the USC School of Architecture and the USC Fisher Museum of Art, focuses on Williams’s major contributions to modern multifamily housing. It pairs original archival drawings with newly commissioned works by contemporary artists and architects, featuring 35 housing projects that underscore Williams’s commitment to innovative solutions for collective living.
“Paul R. Williams: Architect for Living”
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
November 15, 2026, to May 23, 2027
This exhibition highlights Williams as the most significant Black American architect of his era. It showcases the diversity of his projects, from public housing to iconic hotels, featuring never-before-exhibited drawings and photographs from his archive.
“Paul R. Williams: Architecture Across the Color Line”
Getty Research Institute
December 15, 2026, to July 18, 2027
This exhibition marks the public debut of Williams’s archive and explores his contributions to architecture that challenged racialized exclusion. It aims to present an intimate portrayal of Black life and community in Los Angeles, affirming the role of architecture in shaping social opportunities and collective identity, a legacy that continues to resonate today.
