Modesto Architecture Festival returns

A pack of panoramas marks the featured exhibit at the eighth annual Modesto Architecture Festival, a nine-day event that begins this weekend.

That exhibit is made up of 12 photographs of downtown Modesto, printed by resident Oscar Mayo from large-format negatives that are more than 80 years old. The Modesto Museum display is one of several activities planned for the festival, which include walking tours (both guided and self-guided), films and a children’s activity center.

“The photographs are remarkable, beautiful and historic,” festival founder Bob Barzan said in an email interview. “Besides their artistic qualities, in some cases they are the only photographs of parts of Modesto from that time period.

“The exhibit is timely because some of the photos show the original design and condition of buildings that are prime candidates for restoration. Because the architectural drawings no longer exist, we will rely on old photos such as these to guide restorations. (A) building being restored on 10th Street right now is a great example. There is a shot that includes that building. We can see the architectural elements in detail.”

The American Institute of Architects, Sierra Valley Chapter, and Barzan’s Modesto Art Museum sponsor the Architecture Festival to draw attention to the city’s many structures designed by some of the most famous architects and landscape designers from the early and mid-20th century – people such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Thomas Church, Bernard Maybeck and Lawrence Halprin.

While the festival touts those contributors, regional architects also are a focus.

“Though we celebrate architecture, landscape and urban design from all over the world, we also honor the work of local architects both historic and contemporary,” Barzan said. “One of the reasons we attract more than 5,000 people a year is because the events are not just informative, they are fun and inspirational.”

One of the fun – and most popular – events will be the Family Architecture Experience and Kids Workshop. Planned for Sept. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Modesto branch of the Stanislaus County Library, the workshop will offer hands-on crafts, building experiences, games and activities for children of all ages who are accompanied by an adult. Last year, about 600 children and their adults participated, Barzan said.

Thousands view a virtual tour online in addition to the 5,000 people the live festival attracts to its string of events, he said.

“The participants are mostly the larger community, non-architects, nonprofessionals … people interested in architecture, landscape, public art and urban design.”

Another highlight of the festival will be the Architecture Film Night on Sept. 18 at the State Theatre, featuring 10 short films from seven countries on architecture, landscape and urban design. Also at film night will be Tucker Gorman, who will talk about his giant treehouse project in Washington state, featured in one of the night’s films, “The Cinder Cone.” A reception at 6 p.m. precedes the 7 p.m. films.

The McHenry Museum will host screenings of architectural film shorts daily (except Monday) from noon to 4 p.m., in addition to the panorama photos.

As for those panoramas, Barzan said little is known about the local photographer who took them, other than he was a piano tuner by profession. His photos show entire blocks of downtown Modesto alive with shoppers and cars.

“The photos are especially important now that some of the old buildings are having their facades restored,” says a press release from festival organizers. “They depict what the buildings looked like before they were covered in stucco.”

This story was originally published September 9, 2015 at 10:18 AM with the headline "Modesto Architecture Festival returns."