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Pasadena Showcase House of Design for 2012
This magnificent home in La Canada Flintridge will be transformed into the Pasadena Showcase House of Design 2012 to be opened to the public this spring. This distinguished Spanish Colonial Revival Estate was designed by John Winford Byers who was fascinated with native California architecture and its Mexican and Spanish roots. The house was built in 1927. Resting in the heart of the San Gabriel foothills, the estate features a 16 room villa, a guesthouse, swimming pool and a greenhouse.
John Winford Byers ,1875-1966, was a serious self-taught practitioner of pure Spanish Colonial Revival Style. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1898 in Electrical Engineering. He taught French and English in Montevideo,Urugary where he may have cultivated his interest in Spanish architectural styles. He came to California in 1902 and established the John Byers Mexican Handmade Tile Company using Mexican artisans to create roofing, floor tiles and adobe bricks for modern construction standards. He designed homes which set an example for others to follow. He made northern Santa Monica an architectural movement. Many of his houses attracted the attention of critics and were regularly featured in publications such as Architectural Digest. As his fame spread, Byers attracted such celebrity clients as Norma
Shearer,Irvin S. Cobb, Constance Talmadge,JoelMcCrea, Buster Crabbe, Shirley Temple and J. Paul Getty. He lived to the age of 91 but retired before WW II.
On June 26, 1927, The Los Angeles Times announced the impending construction of the Robbin's house as "a beautiful Spanish hiome," a "sixteen room villa..will grace a site of approximately two acres." This home was built as the winter home for Hunter Savidge Robbins, his wife, Margaret K Robbins, their four children and one male French born servant. Mr. Robbins family dates back to Colonial America and is listed in DAR records. The family fortune inMichigan was based upon lumber. Hunter Robbins was also an alumnus of the University of Michigan. His occupation was listed in 1930 as a theater owner. Both he and his wife were avid tennis players and active with the Flintridge County Club. Mrs. Robbins was a local champion golfer and in charge of the women's golf activities at the Flintridge Country Club.
In the 1940's, the Robbins separated.Mr. Robbins ;moved to San Marino but continued to visit his home in Spring Lake, Michigan. Mrs. Robbins remarried Donald G. Neuman and continued to live in the house. She maintained her interest in golf, joining the Annandale Golf Club and winning several championship in Palm Springs. There have been two additional owners of the estate including Mr. and Mrs. Myrl R. Scott. The current owners purchased the property in 1996.
Glen O. Winget, Pasadena, who served as the contractor for many well-known architects, including Paul Williams, built the6, 429 square foot home with 8 bedrooms and baths. As an example of Spanish Colonial Revival, the Robbins house has architectural elements from Spain, Mexico, but also Italy and the Islamic world of North Africa. Such houses were conceived as sculptured volumes attached to the land.
John Winford Byers ,1875-1966, was a serious self-taught practitioner of pure Spanish Colonial Revival Style. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1898 in Electrical Engineering. He taught French and English in Montevideo,Urugary where he may have cultivated his interest in Spanish architectural styles. He came to California in 1902 and established the John Byers Mexican Handmade Tile Company using Mexican artisans to create roofing, floor tiles and adobe bricks for modern construction standards. He designed homes which set an example for others to follow. He made northern Santa Monica an architectural movement. Many of his houses attracted the attention of critics and were regularly featured in publications such as Architectural Digest. As his fame spread, Byers attracted such celebrity clients as Norma
Shearer,Irvin S. Cobb, Constance Talmadge,JoelMcCrea, Buster Crabbe, Shirley Temple and J. Paul Getty. He lived to the age of 91 but retired before WW II.
On June 26, 1927, The Los Angeles Times announced the impending construction of the Robbin's house as "a beautiful Spanish hiome," a "sixteen room villa..will grace a site of approximately two acres." This home was built as the winter home for Hunter Savidge Robbins, his wife, Margaret K Robbins, their four children and one male French born servant. Mr. Robbins family dates back to Colonial America and is listed in DAR records. The family fortune inMichigan was based upon lumber. Hunter Robbins was also an alumnus of the University of Michigan. His occupation was listed in 1930 as a theater owner. Both he and his wife were avid tennis players and active with the Flintridge County Club. Mrs. Robbins was a local champion golfer and in charge of the women's golf activities at the Flintridge Country Club.
In the 1940's, the Robbins separated.Mr. Robbins ;moved to San Marino but continued to visit his home in Spring Lake, Michigan. Mrs. Robbins remarried Donald G. Neuman and continued to live in the house. She maintained her interest in golf, joining the Annandale Golf Club and winning several championship in Palm Springs. There have been two additional owners of the estate including Mr. and Mrs. Myrl R. Scott. The current owners purchased the property in 1996.
Glen O. Winget, Pasadena, who served as the contractor for many well-known architects, including Paul Williams, built the6, 429 square foot home with 8 bedrooms and baths. As an example of Spanish Colonial Revival, the Robbins house has architectural elements from Spain, Mexico, but also Italy and the Islamic world of North Africa. Such houses were conceived as sculptured volumes attached to the land.
The Pasadena Showcase House of Design is one of
the oldest, largest and most successful house and garden tours in the
United States. The 48th annual Pasadena Showcase House of Design will
be open to the public from April 15 to May 13, 2012. Proceed from this
benefit are used to support the programs of the Pasadena Showcase House
for the Arts.
The Designers present their plans to transform the 2012 Showcase House of Design at the "Empty House Party" on January 20th
The Showcase House Organization (which changed the name to Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts has approimately 300 members, approximately 80 of which are Active, Business or Provisional members. The other members of the organization include Intermediate and Associate status.
Programs Supported by the Showcase House for the Arts
Gifts and Grants...Over 18 million dollars has been awarded to support the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Hollywood Bowl and over 60 schools and other non-profit organizations for symphonic, cultural and educational programs.
Pasadena Showcase House Music Mobile...Created in 1972 by PSHA, the music mobile is equipped with musical instruments and has visited 119,000 third graders in their classrooms to introduciang them to the sounds and magic of the symphonic orchestra with a hands on experience.
Pasadena Showcase House Youth Concert...Began in 1953, over 223,000 fourth grade students have attended these annual youth-oriented concerts with performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition... Promising young musicians between the ages of 16 to 24 have been competing annually for monetary awards in the categories of woodwinds, brass and strings. To date, nearly $500,000 in prize monies has been awarded.
Gifts and Grants...Over 18 million dollars has been awarded to support the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Hollywood Bowl and over 60 schools and other non-profit organizations for symphonic, cultural and educational programs.
Pasadena Showcase House Music Mobile...Created in 1972 by PSHA, the music mobile is equipped with musical instruments and has visited 119,000 third graders in their classrooms to introduciang them to the sounds and magic of the symphonic orchestra with a hands on experience.
Pasadena Showcase House Youth Concert...Began in 1953, over 223,000 fourth grade students have attended these annual youth-oriented concerts with performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition... Promising young musicians between the ages of 16 to 24 have been competing annually for monetary awards in the categories of woodwinds, brass and strings. To date, nearly $500,000 in prize monies has been awarded.
BEVERLY MARKSBURY ASSUMES PASADENA SHOWCASE HOUSE FOR THE ARTS (PSHA) PRESIDENCY FOR 2011-12
With sparkle and determination in her eyes, Beverly Marksbury, the 63rd President of Pasadena Showcase for the Arts (PSHA) for 2011-12, is quick to share her goals. “My focus this year will be to tell the story of where the money goes from our Benefit and all the people we touch in that process. I also want to tell our history so members, as well as the public, understand the richness and depth of PSHA and the difference we make in our community.”
Beverly wants people to know about “all the good we do,” and the wonderful programs PSHA sponsors. Most people associate PSHA with the annual Pasadena Showcase House of Design (Benefit) held every spring, but that is only part of the story. Last year proceeds from the 2010 Pasadena Showcase House of Design totaling $750,000 were given out in the spring of 2011 as part of our Gifts & Grants program to 50 grant recipients and the Los Angeles Philharmonic including their Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA) program.
Organizations PSHA has supported in the past range from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Opera to local schools, libraries and youth orchestras. This year those organizations along with the Johnny Mercer Braille Children’s Choir, the Colburn School, Five Acres, Hillsides, John Muir High School, Wilson Middle School, the Pasadena Conservatory of Music, among others, received funding for their programs.
In addition to its Gifts and Grants program, PSHA supports three programs of its own: the Pasadena Showcase House Music Mobile™ program for 3rd grade students throughout the San Gabriel Valley, the Pasadena Showcase House Youth Concert for 4th graders throughout Southern California and the Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition for talented high school and college students hoping to embark upon a professional career in music. Beverly has chaired all three (3) music programs and enjoys them all.
The mission of PSHA is to foster public interest in symphony, further the work of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and support music and the arts in our community. Founded in 1948, and formerly known as The Pasadena Junior Philharmonic Committee, originally all funds were donated to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and local youth music education programs. While PSHA still makes a significant annual contribution to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, it has expanded its focus, and now funds hundreds of programs for other non-profit organizations via its Gifts & Grants Program. Beverly sums up PSHA’s generosity this way, “I’m so proud of the fact that since our founding in 1948, we have raised over $18 million for musical arts programs and institutions throughout Southern California, and that last year we were able to award $750,000 in gifts and grants. This is remarkable for an organization with all volunteers.”
Beverly’s history of volunteering includes chairing all of PSHA’s musical programs to overseeing Tickets, Graphics, House Operations, Public Relations, Program and Staffing for the Benefit. She served as the Benefit Chairman for the 2010 Pasadena Showcase House of Design which was our second non-profit collaboration with the San Gabriel Pomona Valley American Red Cross at the Cravens Estate.
Now, entering her 19th year of volunteering, Beverly takes on the demanding and arduous responsibility of the presidency for which she is distinctively qualified. She received her B.A. in History/Economics at UCLA and her M.A. in Public Administration from USC. She recently retired from a 39-year career with the federal and state courts, during which time she served as Director, Capital Projects and Facilities Operations for Los Angeles Superior Court from 1985 to 1993. A major accomplishment during this time was her project management for the design and construction of the Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court, which handles cases involving abused and neglected children.
As President, Beverly, aims to share the history of PSHA includes: the founding on October 18, 1948 as the Pasadena Junior Philharmonic Committee; the first fundraiser, a dinner dance at the Huntington Hotel held in Spring 1949; the first Youth Concert sponsored in November 1953; the first Pasadena Showcase of Design held March 21 to April 6, 1965; the initiation of the Music Mobile Program in Fall 1971, the Instrumental Competition in fall 1984, and of the Community Grants Program in summer 1990; and, the organization’s name change to Pasadena Showcase for the Arts on October 4, 2000, fifty-two years after its inception.
Beverly sums up her feelings, stating that “we are very fortunate to have such an incredible board, committee members, and community volunteers who contribute their energy, time and talents to ensure our success. I am honored to serve in this leadership role as President and look forward to another successful year for PSHA!”
PASADENA SHOWCASE HOUSE FOR THE ARTS (PSHA)
ANNOUNCES 2011-12 BENEFIT CHAIR: DONNA GOTCH
ANNOUNCES 2011-12 BENEFIT CHAIR: DONNA GOTCH
It takes someone with amazing organizational and communication skills, wit and a sense of humor to take over the reins of the Benefit Chair for Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts (PSHA). Donna Gotch, who has all of these traits plus an abundance of experience with Showcase House, is looking forward to taking on this prestigious yet Herculean position for Showcase House 2012. “It is an honor to serve as the 48th Benefit Chair for such a remarkable organization,” says Gotch, who has been a member of PSHA for 13 years.
Gotch’s experience with PSHA began as an annual visitor, when she and her mother would tour the House, then enjoy lunch at the Showcase restaurant and spend time at the shops. In 1998 Gotch became a member of PSHA, When asked about her goal for Showcase House 2012, Gotch replies “while many people attend Showcase House to marvel at an estate and imagine what it is like to live in such a splendid home, my wish is that every visitor will be able to take a Showcase idea home with them. There is something for everyone at Showcase!”
“My position as Benefit Chair provides me with an opportunity to oversee the entire Showcase project. All my previous Benefit Committee positions have been helpful in understanding the various aspects of the project,” explains Gotch, who has served in eight leadership positions on the Benefit Committee. These experiences have made her well prepared to meet the expectations, challenges and rewards of facilitating the most widely recognized and successful Showcase House in the country. In addition, her 26-year career, 21 of which have been at California State University, San Bernardino, where she teaches Public Speaking, Argumentation, Critical Thinking, Communication Ethics, and Intercultural Communication have enhanced Gotch’s valuable skills of time management, organization, and the ability to actively listen which will serve her well as she interacts with designers, contractors, PSHA members, volunteers and the visiting public.
Besides her multitude of experience, Gotch realizes what is at the core of a successful Showcase House, “this is a community effort: homeowner, neighbors, the city, our designers, shop vendors, our restaurant caterer, community volunteers and members. It is not just our members who contribute to the success of the project, it’s all these individuals. I am particularly grateful to the neighbors in the immediate area around the Showcase House. They welcomed us into their neighborhood, understand our mission, and we appreciate their invaluable support.”
Gotch lives in Pasadena with her husband John Kochian, and their two cats, Simon and Samantha. Gotch enjoys traveling, especially to New York City, attending UCLA football games, watching professional baseball, and spending time with friends. She is also member of The Linda Vistans, a neighborhood group that promotes friendship among women, a life member of the Western States Communication Association, and member of the National Communication Association.
The 2012 Pasadena Showcase House of Design will be open to the public Sunday, April 15 through Sunday, May 13. For more information about PSHA or the Pasadena Showcase House of Design, please visit www.PasadenaShowcase.org
