What is art deco?
Art Deco is a visual arts style of design associated with geometric shapes, rich colors, extravagant ornamentation, and an embracing of technology. It first appeared in post-WWI France but began to spread internationally throughout the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Despite the name, Art Deco was not exclusive to the art world; traces of it could be found in everything from automobiles to architecture. In fact, many famous American structures of this period, including New York’s Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building, were inspired by the Art Deco movement. Big cities weren’t the only places to adopt this bold style, however. Even in Montana you’ll find traces of Art Deco.
The Washoe Theatre
Constructed in 1936, the Washoe Theatre in Anaconda belongs to the Movie Palace Era of the 1930s, when over-the- top, ornate movie theaters were one of the few escapes from hardships of the decade. Whereas most of these movie palaces have since been destroyed, the Washoe remains intact and in use. Its lavish interior and architectural significance has won it recognition from the Smithsonian Institute and earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Washoe’s copper ornamentation, silver and gold leaf accent work, flamboyant furnishings, and geometric designs reveal the building to be unquestionably Art Deco. Domed, painted ceilings and complex relief patterns add to the Washoe’s extravagance.
The Washoe rests upon the site of two previous theaters, the Margaret and the Sundial. The Margaret was constructed not long after Anaconda’s foundation as a town and was remodeled into the Sundial in 1927 for $60,000. When the Sundial tragically burned down just two years later, the Washoe Amusement Company lobbied for the reconstruction of the theater, and for $200,000 the Washoe was built.
Beloved by Anaconda and treasured by many, the Washoe is a unique piece of National and Montana history. Today, it continues to operate as a movie theater and serves as a performance venue.
It was designed to have near perfect acoustics which makes it a great location for musical acts and the building’s exceptional design makes the Washoe Theatre an appealing destination spot for all.
The Montana Expopark
As a facility that was mostly built during the New Deal Era, Art Deco is noticeable in much of the Montana ExpoPark’s design. Formerly known as the Northern Montana State Fairgrounds, this facility in Great Falls is made up of thirty-five buildings, grandstands, a race track and more, spread across 133 acres. Between 1934 and 1938, many of the structures were built under
the Works Progress Administration and reflect the architectural styles of the decade.
The Mercantile and Fine Arts Buildings in particular contain quintessential Art Deco architecture. Both building encompass linear and curvilinear elements which were popular in the 1930s. Hard edges, symmetry, and projected elevations work together to create the modern, industrial look that reflected the decade’s embracement of technology. While neither building is flashy, the stark contrast in colors makes these structures more prominent.
Besides the Mercantile and Fine Arts Buildings, other structures around the ExpoPark contain Art Deco elements. The Administration Building, for example, is a mix of both Art Deco and Art Moderne architecture with an angular exterior and horizontal banding. More subtly, the Trades and Industries Building incorporates Art Deco elements with a paint job that emphasizes its curvilinear features.
These Art Deco structures and others at the Montana ExpoPark stand apart from most architecture in the city. There are very few buildings in Great Falls that are so obviously
from the 1930s and their designs make them unique to the area. It’s no surprise that after the Works Progress Administration finished construction, the Montana State Fair was permanently moved to Great Falls in 1939.