American Union of Decorative Artists and Craftsmen (AUDUC)

The American Union of Decorative Artists and Craftsmen (AUDAC) was an organisation of designers and artists designing for individual needs, commercial organisations, industrial firms, heads of stores and manufacturing establishments, and all other persons interested in the industrial, decorative, and applied arts.

Background

Paul Frankl was in charge of a group of designers that gathered informally in New York in 1928. The group included Kem Weber, Frederick Kiesler, Donald Deskey, and Lee Simonson. Their goal was to promote modern decorative art. AUDAC was thought to be officially formed in 1930 when it held its first of only two exhibitions. It grew to have over 100 members in the arts, design, photography, and architecture, including William Lescaze, Gilbert Rhode, and Margaret Bourke-White.

Exhibitions

In 1930 and 1931, members’ work was shown at the Grand Central Palace in New York and the Brooklyn Museum.

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL

Chicago Tribune 07 Jun 1931, Page 46 – Newspapers.com. (n.d.). Chicago Tribune 07 Jun 1931, page 46 – Newspapers.com. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.newspapers.com/image/355010729/?terms=AUDAC&match=1

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