Paul R. Williams (left) standing with two men at Compton Imperial Housing Project site, ca. 1952. Merge Studios. Gelatin silver print. Sheet: 8.125 × 10 in. Image: 7.375 × 9.25 in. Owned Jointly by the Getty Research Institute (2020.M.6) and the University of Southern California School of Architecture. © Merge Studios.
Now open
Paul R. Williams: An Architect Considered
Aug. 18, 2026-March 13, 2027
Organized jointly by the USC School of Architecture and the USC Fisher Museum of Art, Paul R. Williams: An Architect Considered is the first major exhibition to explore the contributions of groundbreaking architect Paul R. Williams (1894-1980) to modern multifamily housing and urban Black communities. It debuts rarely seen archival drawings, photographs, and plans, and pairs them with newly commissioned works by leading contemporary artists, architects, and filmmakers, reframing Williams’s long under-recognized work and addressing urgent conversations about race, equity, and the future of American cities.
While Williams’s stately homes designed for the wealthy elite have been widely acclaimed, his solutions for affordable multi-family housing have received less attention, even though Williams relentlessly sought to reimagine modernity for a diverse range of clients and users throughout his career.
Highlighting 31 housing projects from his long career, Paul R. Williams: An Architect Considered spotlights Williams’s innovative solutions for collective living, primarily in Los Angeles, during the second Great Migration, a period of rapid urbanization. More than
60 items from the Paul R. Williams’s archive, which was jointly acquired in 2020 by the Getty Research Institute and the USC School of Architecture, are shown in conversation with major new commissions by Edgar Arceneaux; Current Interests (Matthew Au and
Mira Henry), enFOLD Collective (Dana McKinney White and Megan Echols), Darell W. Fields, David Hartt, Cory Henry, and Amanda Williams, as well as a selection of existing works by photographers Julius Shulman and Janna Ireland.
Related Events
An array of public programs complements the exhibition. For information visit PROGRAMS.
Related Exhibitions at Getty and LACMA
Paul R. Williams: Architect for Living, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Nov. 15, 2026–May 31, 2027
Paul R. Williams: Architecture Across the Color Line, Getty Research Institute, Dec. 15, 2026–March 14, 2027
Press Release
The Press Release for the Exhibition is available here
About Paul R. Williams
A pivotal figure in 20th-century architecture and civil rights advocacy who studied architectural engineering at USC, Williams was the first Black architect licensed west of the Mississippi. He was also the first known Black member of the American Institute of Architects nationwide (1923), its first Black Fellow (1957), and the first and only Black architect to receive its highest honor, the Gold Medal (posthumously, 2017). Over a career spanning nearly six decades, he is estimated to design approximately 3,000 projects, making him one of the most prolific and influential architects of his time.
about the exHibition
This exhibition is curated by Valery Augustin, associate professor in the practice of architecture at USC; Milton S.F. Curry, professor of architecture and senior associate dean at Cornell University; and Amy Murphy, professor of architecture and associate dean of faculty affairs at USC. Augustin is exhibition designer, with graphic design by Morcos Key.
Significant funding for this exhibition has been provided by the Mellon Foundation.
All exhibitions are underwritten by the USC Fisher Museum of Art Exhibition Fund. Annual leadership support is generously provided by Boris Dramov and Bonnie Fisher, and by Akieva and Martin Jacobs. Major support is provided by Dana Dramov
McCollough and Brady McCollough.
PRW atComptonHousing
AptBulidLA
LongBeachApts
MinCostDwelling
BHApts
DHartt_SomeLAAptsStillA
DHartt_SomeLAAptsStillB
EArceneaux_PRWStairs
DWFields_Greenacres
Past Exhibitions
The past exhibitions offered unique perspectives and artistic expressions that left a lasting impression.
-
Freedom Plane: Documents that Forged a Nation
April 17 – May 3, 2026
Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation is a traveling exhibition from the National Archives that will bring Founding-era documents to eight American cities throughout 2026.
-
Ken Gonzales- Day: History’s “Nevermade”
August 19, 2025 – March 14, 2026
Exploring cultural memory through his photographs, drawings, and paintings as well as through research and scholarship, artist, teacher, and scholar Ken Gonzales-Day (b. 1964) has contributed profound insights over his 30-year career to the understanding of race and place in the United States.
-
Roski school of art student show
April 30 – May 16, 2025
USC Fisher Museum of Art is proud to host the Roski School of Art student show. Stop by to see the next generation of artistic voices in our galleries. More information coming soon.
-
Sci-Fi, Magick, Queer L.A.: Sexual Science and the Imagi-Nation
August 22 – November 23, 2024 and January 14 – March 15, 2025
Sci-Fi, Magick, Queer L.A.: Sexual Science and the Imagi-Nation considers the importance of science fiction fandom and occult interests to U.S. LGBTQ history. Curated by ONE Archives at the USC Libraries and presented at the USC Fisher Museum of Art. In partnership with Getty PST.
Follow us @fishermuseum
See what everyone is saying about us. #USCFISHER
So lucky to have witnessed the performance by Abigail DeVille. Loved the discussion after with Edgar Arceneaux where they got into migration, family, borders, north, south, countries, the homeless, colleges, majors and so much more. Thanks edgar_three for getting me out there! Thrilled to have also seen and met a Creative Capital grantee 2015!!🙌🙌 #abigaildeville #art #performance #uscfisher #creativecapital creative_capital
Apr 1
Saw the Kara Walker Exhibit at USC today with silk_kittenn & I highly recommend it. Walker’s work explores Black American history, and she uses silhouettes, historic illustrations, classic mythology and much more to create her vision. Sobering & arresting artwork from one of the greats 🤘☮️
#karawalker #contemporaryart #usc #uscfisher #uscfishermuseum #emancipationproclamation #emancipationapproximation #blackhistory #blackart #africanamericanart #africanamericanhistory
Oct 11
Amazing exhibition of works by Louise Bourgeois now on view at USC Fisher Museum of Art.
Repost from fishermuseum
•
Our newest exhibition, “Louise Bourgeois: What is the Shape of This Problem?” is officially OPEN!
On view Tuesdays-Fridays from 12:00-5:00 PM, and Saturdays from 12:00-4:00 PM.
#louisebourgeois #modernart #losangelesmuseums #uscfisher #uscfishermuseum #mentalhealth
Sep 23
It was a little hard to get pictures once it got dark outside, but here`s a couple from the event. Almost all the seats were filled 🤍✨ Always a pleasure to sit down, relax and create with others.
.
.
.
#paintnight #blacktrojans #blackartist #keviettebydesign #kmino #uscroski #alum #southla #family #music #apttmh #palette #acrylicpaint #paintbrush #uscfisher #artsy #creative #loveGod
Mar 6
Ayeee, got a Paint Night Tonight for my Black Trojan family! A couple years ago, I had my exhibition "Black Girl Blues," but for this project, I was tasked with visually expressing the other end of the spectrum – Black JOY! I`m so excited for you all to see the image you`ll be recreating. We will be at the Fisher Museum of Art from 6pm to 8pm 😆 So thankful to the Most High Yah for this opportunity! Fight On, and all glory goes to God. 💯 I hope to see y`all there.
.
.
.
#paintnight #blackhistory #blackjoy #blackart #keviettebydesign #kevietteminor #usc #uscalum #southcentral #losangeles #celebrate #sonomacountyartist #socal #norcal #digital #painting #illustration #insecurehbo #uscfisher #blackgirlblues
Feb 24
Today is the last day to see pamdouglasart work in "Art and Hope at the End of the Tunnel" at fishermuseum
Curated by russianedward
#uscfisher #artandhopeattheendofthetunnel #artandhope #santuary #refugees #contemporaryart #arttoday
Dec 4
#Repost fishermuseum with make_repost
・・・
Gajin Fujita
How the pandemic has affected my art practice:
During this pandemic, I found it that I have had more time to live with my art practice. So, I’ve been able to give and pay more attention to the paintings I’ve worked on. Also in this pandemic, I have been able to witness and experience the many social ills that we humans create and a lot of it has made for some great content to be used in my works.
A short statement about included pieces:
In this painting, No Man’s Land, I’ve painted a particular corner of the LA inner city, where we call the cornfields. This area is mostly a commercial zone so there really doesn’t exist a residential neighborhood but there once was a thriving community that existed when the Tongva people used to call this area their home. I’ve also painted Bird/God (tengu) characters attacking a coyote on this street corner. In this painting, I wanted to capture the idea of evolution and the idea of time. I feel all the fighting, struggles, competition, and dominance that all life on this planet is constantly practicing make up natural evolution.
Gajin Fujita
No Man`s LAnd
2020
Spray paint, paint markers, Sakura streak, 12K white gold leaf, and 24k gold leaf on wood
Courtesy of the Artist and L.A. Louver Venice, California
Copyright Gajin Fujita
#museum #art #history #photography #artist #contemporaryart #painting #gallery #arte #exhibition #museo #artwork #artgallery #culture #photooftheday #modernart #love #kunst #museums #losangeles #usc #uscfisher #gajinfujita
Nov 5
•Repost•
fishermuseum Join us for an exciting conversation on November 5th with three artists from Los Angeles: Gajin Fujita, Alfonso Gonzalez Jr., and Devin Reynolds. Featured artists from the current exhibition Art & Hope at the End of the Tunnel will discuss their process and practice, inspiration, growing up in Los Angeles, and creating work during the pandemic. The evening’s discussion will be moderated by artist, curator, and USC Roski School of Art and Design alum Dulce Soledad Ibarra. Followed by Q&A and refreshments.
Register for this event at the LINK IN BIO!
#museum #art #history #photography #artist #contemporaryart #painting #gallery #arte #exhibition #museo #artwork #artgallery #culture #photooftheday #modernart #love #kunst #museums #losangeles #usc #uscfisher #Roski #gajinfujita #dulcesoledadibarra #alfonsogonzalesjr
Gajin Fujita
"No Man`s LAnd"
2020
Spray paint, paint markers, Sakura streak, 12K white gold leaf and 24k gold leaf on wood
Courtesy of the Artist and L.A. Louver Venice, California
Copyright Gajin Fujita
Alfonso
"Air"
2020
Oil and enamel on canvas
Courtesy of Thomas Johnson
Copyright Alfonso Gonzales Jr.
Devin Reynolds
"Chainlink
2021
Acrylic on panel
On Loan from Artist
Copyright Devin Reynolds
otisalumnx otiscollege #supporteachother
Nov 5
Curated by my favorite Russian russianedward and up at the USC Fisher Museum fishermuseum in great company with kengonzalesday grantalexandra zcwalsh farrahkarapetian among many others
・・・
How the pandemic has affected my art practice:
Making art one is constantly reflecting and negotiating the process of creating. During the pandemic, I wrestled with how I could carve (and even maintain) a creative path through such uncertainty and mark the time we were in. I came to deeply appreciate the simplicity of making small drawings that weren’t connected to my past works or driven by deadlines of shows and completions of projects. Stripping down to the bare minimum as time stretched out during this period put me back in touch with how I was a creator as an art student. You just show up and see what happens.
A short statement about the included piece:
`The Sun Burns My Eyes Like Moons` draws from solar eclipse expeditions, carvings on Egyptian temples, and the study of the sun up at Mt. Wilson Observatory at the solar observatory at the turn of the century.
Lia Halloran
The Sun Burns My Eyes Like Moons (Prototype)
2021
Cyanotype from painted negative ink and acrylic on paper
Courtesy of the Artist and Luis De Jesus, Los Angeles
#museum #art #history #photography #artist #contemporaryart #painting #gallery #arte #exhibition #museo #artwork #artgallery #culture #photooftheday #modernart #love #kunst #museums #losangeles #usc #uscfisher
Nov 4
Gallery artists Mark Steven Greenfield, and Andy Moses are included in Edward Goldman’s curatorial group-show at USC’s Fisher Museum of Art, “ART AND HOPE at the end of the tunnel.” Forbes Magazine’s Tom Teicholz writes and interviews Goldman on the exhibition’s central theme convening on art created during the pandemic. Link in bio!
“As an artist, this pandemic has had some unexpected silver linings,” Andy Moses wrote in response. “It allowed my mind to slow down.”
On view September 10 to December 9 fishermuseum
————————-
(1) Artwork: Mark Steven Greenfield, “Escrava Anastacia” (2020) Gold leaf and acrylic on wood panel, 24” x 24”
russianedward forbes tommywood
Oct 23
