Annual Conference

Join us for five days of tours, talks and celebrations in Minneapolis this fall! We’ll savor visits to four privately-owned Wright-designed buildings, and take in landmarks of modern architecture in the Twin Cities by Wright apprentice John Howe and others, including Purcell & Elmslie, Louis Sullivan, Eliel Saarinen and more. Speakers will explore the significant but little-examined role women played in the creation of Wright’s work. Evening gatherings will provide fellowship and networking. The gala will raise support for our mission and celebrate the 2023 Wright Spirit Awards.

2023 Conference Co-Chairs
Ted Muntz, Co-Owner, Lovness Estate
Tim Quigley, Principal, Quigley Architects
Steve Sikora, Co-Owner, Willey House
Katherine Stalker, Board Member, Docomomo US/MN

Conference registration is now closed. If you have a question about registration please contact [email protected].

This is an outline of the current conference schedule. All times CDT. This schedule is under active development and all details, including event times, are subject to change. Events take place at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday, September 27

9 a.m. Pre-Conference Tour: National Farmers’ Bank of Owatonna, Sankaku, Christ Church Lutheran & more
5 p.m. Silent auction bidding opens online
5:30 p.m. Opening Reception: Orchestra Hall

Thursday, September 28

8:30 a.m. Conservancy Annual Meeting
9 a.m. Conference Talks
Noon (approx.) Conference Tours: Purcell-Cutts House, Minneapolis Institute of Art Prairie Gallery & more
6 p.m. Film screening: John H. Howe, Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Master of Perspective
7 p.m. Leadership Circle Dinner: Davis House

Friday, September 29

9 a.m. Conference Talks
Noon (approx.) Conference Tours: Lovness Estate, Neils House & Willey House
6:30 p.m. Homeowners & Public Sites Dinner

Saturday, September 30

9 a.m. Conference Talks: Notable Women Homeowners Project Panel
Noon (approx.) Conference Tours: Johnson Houses I & II and more
6 p.m. Silent Auction Reception
7:15 p.m. Gala & Wright Spirit Awards
10 p.m. Silent auction bidding closes online

Sunday, October 1

9 a.m. Post-Conference Tour: Fasbender Medical Clinic, Guthrie Theater, Mount Zion Temple, Hambidge House & more

The schedule remains under active development and will be updated as additional details are confirmed. All programs, tours and times are subject to change. All times given are Central Daylight Time (CDT), and all tours depart from and return to the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. Registrants will receive a final schedule prior to the conference.

Pre-Conference Tour

Wednesday, September 27 · 9 a.m.
Available to add to both General & A La Carte Registrations

Travel south to Owatonna to tour the National Farmers’ Bank (Louis Sullivan, 1908) and Federated Insurance Companies Building (Jacobson & Jacobson, 1923). On the return trip, we’ll visit Sankaku (John Howe, 1972) and Christ Church Lutheran (Eliel Saarinen, 1948). Lunch & transportation included.

Opening Reception

Orchestra Hall
Wednesday, September 27 · 5:30 p.m.
Included in General Registration · Available A La Carte

Kick off the conference and mingle with attendees at the home of the Minnesota Orchestra, located just steps from the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis on Nicollet Mall, overlooking Peavey Plaza. The building was designed by Hammel, Green & Abrahamson and opened in 1974, with a major renovation by KPMB completed in 2013. Sponsored by Judy & Dick Corson.

Annual Meeting

Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Mirage Room
Thursday, September 28 · 8:30 a.m.
Included in General Registration · Available A La Carte (as part of Conference Talks)

The executive director and board president will provide an overview of the Conservancy’s work over the last year. The 2023 Thorpe Fellows will be introduced. A vote will be taken on the proposed slate of new Board members.

Conference Talks

Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Mirage Room
Thursday, September 28 through Saturday, September 30 · 9 a.m.
Included in General Registration · Available A La Carte

The Conservancy’s Theme & Speakers Committee has confirmed the following presentations, drawn from proposals submitted in response to the call for papers:

Thursday, September 28

• Virginia & Don Lovness’ relationship with Wright
  Lonnie Lovness, child of original clients, Lovness House; author of Growing Up Wright
• Marion Mahony Griffin and Frank Lloyd Wright: Creativity and Tension
  Glenda Korporaal, writer (Making Magic: The Marion Mahony Griffin Story) & Journalist, Sydney, Australia
• Susan Lawrence Dana and Her Frank Lloyd Wright-Designed Home
  Regina Albanese, Executive Director, Dana-Thomas House Foundation
• Willey House: The House That Changed Everything
  Steve Sikora, Co-owner, Willey House (1933), Minneapolis, Minnesota

Friday, September 29

• (Mis)Fitting Taliesin: The Women of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Fellowship
  Bridget Bartal, Curatorial Fellow, Cranbrook Art Museum
• Pauline Gibling Schindler and the construction of Californian modernity
  Andrea Castro Marcucci, Architecture Program Director, Universidad ORT Uruguay
• Nobuko Tsuchiura: Comprehensive Space, Imagery, and Frank Lloyd Wright
  Nicole Hall, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and faculty, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• The Unclosed Circle: Frank Lloyd Wright and Georgia O’Keeffe
  Sarah Rovang, Architecture Historian; Program Officer, Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation

The Conservancy’s Homeowner Committee will present a Notable Women Homeowners Project panel on the morning of Saturday, September 30. Talks will focus on their unique histories, the stories of their houses, as well as the roles that each has played in the conservatorship of their Frank Lloyd Wright Homes:

• Architecture and Astronomy:  My Favorite Things
  Anne L. Kinney, Retired Deputy Center Director at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, owner of the Margaret and Patrick Kinney House (1951), Lancaster, Wisconsin
• Rebuilding Frank Lloyd Wright’s Carroll Alsop House: A Local Hub for Creative Economic Growth and Preservation
  Mia Reed, steward of the Alsop House (1947), Oskaloosa, Iowa
• Passing On (tribute to Beverley Tonkens, original owner of the Tonkens House)
  Safina Uberoi, owner of the Tonkens House (1954), Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Frederick and Grace Bagley House (1894), Hinsdale, Illinois
• From its Origin to an Educational Base: How Three Homeowners Have Shaped The Sutton House
  Janet Korell, owner of the Sutton House (1905), McCook, Nebraska
• Panel Moderator: Kristin Anderson, Professor of Art and Design, Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Coffee and tea will be available each morning. Talks will conclude by approximately noon each day. Conference talks will be recorded, and the recordings will be made available for purchase after the conference.

Conference Tours

Thursday, September 28 through Saturday, September 30 · Approx. Noon each day
Included in General Registration · Not available A La Carte

Tours depart from the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis after the conclusion of each day’s talks. Transportation and lunch are included.

Thursday Tour:

• Purcell-Cutts House (Purcell & Elmslie, 1913)
• Minneapolis Institute of Art, Prairie Gallery
• Lakewood Cemetery Chapel (Harry Wild Jones, 1910)

Friday Tour:

• Lovness Estate (Wright, 1955)
• Neils House (Wright, 1949)
• Willey House (Wright, 1933)

Saturday Tour:

• Johnson House I (John Howe, 1963)
• Johnson House II (John Howe, 1973)
• Johnson House III (John Howe, 1980)
• Site of the Little House II (Wright, 1912, demolished 1971)
• Bowen I House (John Howe, 1974)

Film Screening

John H Howe, Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Master of Perspective
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Mirage Room
Thursday, September 28 · 6 p.m.
Included in General Registration

All conference participants who are not attending the Leadership Circle Dinner are invited to a special screening of the documentary film John H Howe, Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Master of Perspective, with introductory remarks by filmmaker Rob Barros. About the film:

An under-recognized apprentice of the Taliesin Fellowship during the Great Depression, shares drafting tables with Frank Lloyd Wright for 27-years and pencils some of the most iconic architectural drawings. This documentary chronicles his career.

Leadership Circle Dinner

Davis House
Thursday, September 28 · 7 p.m.
Available to add to both General & A La Carte Registrations · Exclusively for members at the Leadership Circle level & above

Members of the Leadership, Clerestory and Visionary Circles are invited to an exclusive dinner at the Davis House. Located on Lake Minnetonka, the house was designed by Philip Johnson for the senior curator at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and built in 1952. The house’s glass and brick volumes and clean lines typify Johnson’s work during the period when he was influenced by the International Style, and provide an excellent backdrop for an extensive art collection. Transportation provided.

Homeowners & Public Sites Dinner

Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Northstar Ballroom
Friday, September 29 · 6:30 p.m.
Available to add to both General & A La Carte Registrations · Exclusively for Wright homeowners and public site representatives

Join us for an evening with fellow Wright homeowners and public site staff from across the country—the only gathering of its kind. Reception begins at 6:30 p.m. CDT, with dinner to follow. There will be a short program featuring two talks:

• A Woman’s Place is Social Action – Continuing the Tradition of Original Wright Notable Women Homeowners at Brandes House
  Marsha Shyer, co-owner of the Brandes House and chair of the Homeowner Committee
• Claiming the Blueprints: Orpha’s Westcott House
  Marta Wojcik, Executive Director & Curator, Westcott House, and member, Public Sites Committee

Supported by Annette Beyer-Mears, owner of the Gilmore “Airplane” House.

Silent Auction Reception

Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Northstar Ballroom
Saturday, September 30 · 6 p.m.
Included in General Registration · Available A La Carte (as part of Gala)

Mingle with conference attendees to enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres while you browse select silent auction items.

Gala & Wright Spirit Awards

Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Northstar Ballroom
Saturday, September 30 · 7:15 p.m.
Included in General Registration · Available A La Carte

Celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the 2023 Wright Spirit Award honorees at an elegant gala dinner, underwritten by Ron and Jan Scherubel. We’ll share highlights from the Conservancy’s online silent auction, which will close after the conclusion of the gala. If interested in purchasing a block of 3 or more gala tickets, please contact the office at [email protected].

Post-Conference Tour

Sunday, October 1 · 9 a.m.
Available to add to both General & A La Carte Registrations

We’ll take in one last Wright building, the Fasbender Medical Clinic (1957), and tour other noteworthy structures including the Guthrie Theater (Jean Nouvel, 2006), Hambidge (Close & Associates, 1958) and more. Lunch and transportation are included, with an optional airport drop no later than 3 p.m.

Please read this carefully before registering. Capacity is limited and events may sell out. Register early to secure your spot. You must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver and event policies in order to register; you can find them at the bottom of this page. If you require assistance registering or have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 312.663.5500.

AIA continuing education credit will be sought for all tours and conference talks. Additional details and instructions will be made available to registrants once credit has been approved.

There are three major changes to conference registration this year:

• We are offering a new A La Carte Registration option, which provides flexibility to attend only specific parts of the conference. (Please note that the three core days of conference tours are NOT available with A La Carte Registration; they are exclusive to General Registration.)
• Early bird pricing on General Registration will be in effect through July 13. Prices will increase by $50 after July 13.
• There is no online attendance option this year. Conference talks will be recorded and the recordings will be made available for purchase after the conference.

The online form linked from the button below is the preferred way to register. Online registration is open exclusively to Conservancy members from June 1 until June 7, after which registration will open to the general public. The online registration form allows a maximum of two attendees per transaction, and you will be asked to provide details about each attendee for whom you are registering.

Event Admission types

For each attendee you will select an Event Admission type:

General Registration is a bundle that includes the Opening Reception, three core days of Conference Talks and Tours, and the Gala. General Registration does NOT include any of the following special events, which must be added on as event sessions: Pre- and Post-Conference Tours, Leadership Circle Dinner, and Homeowners & Public Sites Dinner. If you select a General Registration, DO NOT add any A La Carte event sessions; they are ALL already included. Early bird rates for General Registration are in effect through July 13, after which the price increases. The member discount on General Registration is applied automatically if you are logged in to an account with an active membership. Please note that Friend and Associate-level members are limited to one (1) attendee per registration at the discounted member rate.

• General Registration – Members: $825 (or $875 after July 13)
• General Registration – Non-Members: $925 (or $975 after July 13)

A La Carte Registration offers more flexible attendance options, and you must select all individual event sessions you wish to attend. A La Carte event session tickets are available for the Opening Reception, the three mornings of Conference Talks, and the Gala. The Pre- and Post-Conference Tours, Leadership Circle Dinner, and Homeowners & Public Sites Dinner are also available a la carte. Note that NO early bird or member discounts are available for A La Carte registration.

Event Sessions

The following special events may be added on to either General or A La Carte Registrations:

• Pre-Conference Tour (9/27) – $250.00
• Post-Conference Tour (10/1) – $250.00 WAITLISTED
• Leadership Circle Dinner (9/28, exclusive to members at the Leadership Circle level & above) – $85.00
• Homeowners & Public Sites Dinner (9/29, exclusive to homeowners & public sites) – $85.00

The following conference events are included in the General Registration bundle, but may also be purchased as part of an A La Carte Registration:

• Opening Reception (9/27) – $45.00
• Conference Talks (9/28-9/30) – $75.00
• Gala (9/30) – $175.00. If interested in purchasing a block of 3 or more gala tickets, please contact the office at [email protected].

John G. Thorpe Young Professionals and Students Fellowship

To save Wright, we must encourage the next generation of advocates. In memory of architect and preservationist John Thorpe, the Conservancy selects a small number of graduate students and young professionals in architecture and historic preservation to attend the conference at no cost. You will have the option to add a tax-deductible donation to your conference registration to support the Thorpe Fellowship.

Applications for the Thorpe Fellowship are now closed.

Indow Windows Raffle

As part of their conference sponsorship, Indow is raffling off $2,000 worth of window inserts and related services. You may opt to enter the drawing when you register for the conference. Entry in the drawing is free.

Conference attendees stay at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis (1300 Nicollet Mall) at the special group rate of $199 per night plus tax. All conference talks, tour departures, the Homeowners & Public Sites Dinner, and the Gala will take place at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.

When you register for the conference, your confirmation email will include a link and instructions for booking in our hotel block. Please make your lodging arrangements promptly after registering, and no later than August 28, after which our hotel block and special rate will no longer be available.

The Conservancy’s most popular annual fundraiser will take place online in conjunction with the conference. Bidding will open on Wednesday, September 27, and will close on Saturday, September 30 after the gala at 10 p.m. CDT. The auction offers rare Wright memorabilia, artwork, collectibles, experiences at Wright sites, books, and more. All proceeds support our mission of preserving Wright’s remaining structures. The silent auction is open to everyone; registration for the conference is not required.

The Conservancy is grateful for the support of our conference sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to learn more >>

Presenting Partner

Major Partners

Judy & Dick Corson
Lukas Ruecker & Safina Uberoi
Ron & Jan Scherubel

Conference Partners

Anonymous
Annette Beyer-Mears
Blossoms and Turkel House

Ted & Debi Muntz
Mia Reed, in memory of her parents Charles & Elaine Reed

Patrons

Sponsors

Liz & Ken Allen
Berglund Construction
CYLA Design Associates, Inc. Landscape Architecture & Planning
Tim Gibson representing Rotary District #6540
Harding Partners, Architects
Chuck & Kit Henderson
Carmen & Christopher Korleski
Peter & Julene McKinney
WJE Engineers, Architects & Materials Specialists

Supporters

Architectural Resources Group
Sidney Bowen
Docomomo US/MN
Harboe Architects, PC
George Meyer
Jane Parker
Janet Parks
Roland Reisley
Mary & Tom Roberts
Patrick Schwarz & Bill Levy, Mary Adams House and Rhoades Levy Law Group P.C.
Katherine D. Seale

In-Kind Sponsors

Ann Avant from The Wine Company
J. Charles
Doug McGoldrick Photography

COVID-19 General Disclaimer & Safety Policies

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy (FLWBC) is committed to the health and safety of event participants, staff and others with whom we will come in contact. This event will follow current legal mandates, guidance and safety protocols for preventing the spread of COVID-19 issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and relevant state and local authorities. We reserve the right to determine and enforce additional reasonable health and safety requirements at our discretion, and we will abide by the requirements of all venues visited during the event. We may need to alter the itinerary at any time based on new information, public health guidance or requirements, or the ability of specific venues to participate.

The Conservancy will NOT require participants to show vaccination status or a negative COVID test result. Face masks will not be required, but you are welcome to wear one.

By registering for and participating in this event, you agree to the following:

• You acknowledge that your participation in this event is entirely voluntary, and that you are aware of the possibly significant risks, both apparent and hidden, that may present themselves at public gatherings.
• You acknowledge the ongoing and evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and voluntarily assume any and all risk you incur by attending this event.
• You understand that the Conservancy does not currently plan to require event participants to show a vaccination card or negative COVID test result upon check-in, and that the wearing of face masks will be optional but not required during the event. (We suggest exercising increased caution before and during the event, and taking a self-test if you believe you may have been exposed or you develop symptoms.)
• You understand that protocols and guidance are evolving, and you agree to abide by rules and instructions set forth by the Conservancy, bus operators, private homes, hotels and public venues.
• You agree not to attend the event if you have COVID symptoms or have recently tested positive for COVID, and to withdraw from participation and notify staff if you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID during the event.

Cancellation Policy

Registrants may cancel through August 8 for a full refund, or between August 9 and August 25 for a 50% refund. Cancellations made after August 25 will not receive a refund for any reason, including testing positive for COVID. Email [email protected] or call 312.663.5500 to cancel your registration.

The Conservancy reserves the right to cancel this event at any time if we feel that it cannot be held safely, for any reason including but not limited to current COVID-19 health metrics and guidance. In this case, the Conservancy would refund participants the cost of their registration, including any add-on events, but will not be responsible for any other costs incurred as a result of our decision to cancel the event.

Attendees may wish to consider purchasing travel insurance, which may reimburse certain costs in the event that the event is canceled or you are unable to participate. The Conservancy does not recommend any specific insurer or insurance product, and is not able to provide guidance.

Photography and Video

By attending this event, you may be included in photography and video recordings that may be used for the Conservancy’s educational or marketing purposes. Photography by participants is generally allowed, but might be restricted or prohibited at the request of specific venues.

Physical Condition Considerations & Special Accommodations

Tour attendees may encounter and must be capable of walking through tight spaces, up staircases, and on unpaved surfaces with no assistance. Private residences featured on our tours are not subject to ADA requirements.

If you have questions or require special accommodations to participate in tours or other conference events, please contact [email protected] to discuss your needs prior to registering.

Transportation

Transportation is provided for all tours and events unless otherwise noted. Attendees are not permitted to drive themselves to tours for which transportation is provided. Tour participants must be capable of boarding and exiting coach buses.

Liability Waiver

By registering for this event you consent to the following: “In consideration of my admission to the properties toured through the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy (FLWBC), I agree to waive, release, hold harmless and indemnify FLWBC and the owners, operators, members, officers, directors, trustees, agents, successors and assigns, of the FLWBC and each and every house, site and entity included in the conference, including any announced changes, from any and all claims, injuries, causes of action, demands, costs, liability and/or harm of any kind that I may have or may acquire against each of them as a result of my participation in this event.”