Preserving the Story Above: A Study of the 32 Avenue of the Americas Ceiling Finds a New Home

Study of the 32 Avenue of the Americas Ceiling

In November 2024, the International Hildreth Meière Association (IHMA) facilitated the donation of a piece of American art history to Columbia University’s Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library. The donated work, a study of the 32 Avenue of the Americas New York interior landmarked lobby ceiling, is a reminder of the collaboration between artist, architect and craftsmen to create one of New York City's enduring architectural gems. This thoughtful gesture was made possible by donor Matthew Redabaugh, whose efforts preserved a piece of design history that continues to inspire.

A Ceiling That Tells a Story

The ceiling of 32 Avenue of the Americas, designed by renowned muralist Hildreth Meière, is more than a decorative element—it’s a story brought to life in vibrant silhouette tesserae. Created for the building’s lobby, the design captures the spirit of communication and connectivity, themes central to the AT&T Long Distance Building, as it was originally known.

Using gold diagonal lines to represent telephone wires connecting narrative depictions of the continents—Australia, Africa, Asia, and Europe—the ceiling, completed in 1932, celebrates technological innovation during the height of the Art Deco era. Meière’s intricate work perfectly complements the building’s design by Ralph Walker, whose successor firm is now HLW. Walker was a pioneering architect hailed as the “architect of the century” by the American Institute of Architects in 1957. Together, Meière, Walker, and the Ravenna Mosaic Company crafted a cohesive narrative in glass tesserae and plaster, uniting form and function into a singular vision.

The Work’s Journey

The provenance of the study, now housed at the Avery, adds another layer of intrigue. It was acquired by Redabaugh as part of a larger cache of archival materials from the Ravenna Mosaic Company in St. Louis, Missouri. Once a powerhouse of mosaic craftsmanship, the Ravenna Mosaic Company was the American affiliate of the German firm Puhl & Wagner. They collaborated with artists like Meière to fabricate and install intricate designs.

Meière partnered with the Ravenna Mosaic Company on several notable projects, including the Red Room at One Wall Street, Temple Emanu-El, and St. Bartholomew’s Church—all in New York City. Other collaborations include the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis, Missouri; the AT&T Pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair; and the Resurrection Chapel at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

The Avery’s New Treasure

The donation at the Avery Library brought together advocates for Meière’s legacy and stewards of architectural history. Among the attendees were Hilly Dunn, Vice President of IHMA, and Joseph LoSchiavo, IHMA board member, who joined Avery’s Director Teresa Harris, Ph.D., and Archivist & Collection Manager Shelley Hayreh in celebrating the study’s arrival. For the Avery, which houses one of the world’s premier collections of architectural and historic art materials, the piece enriches its mission of preserving works that bridge art and architecture.

Connecting Past and Present

Meière’s design for the ceiling of 32 Avenue of the Americas serves as a reminder of how art can reflect societal values. Her work, tied to the optimism of early 20th-century communication breakthroughs, resonates today as a testament to innovation and collaboration. Placed in the Avery Library’s collection, it now connects past achievements with future exploration, providing researchers and admirers alike with a tangible link to an era when design and technology evolved hand in hand.

This study of the 32 Avenue of the Americas ceiling is more than just a decorative artifact—it’s a piece of a larger narrative. By ensuring its preservation, IHMA and Avery Library underscore the importance of remembering and studying the stories embedded in the spaces we inhabit.

1st photo: Joseph LoSchiavo, Matthew Redabaugh and Hilly Dunn

2nd photo: Teresa Harris, Hilly Dunn, Matthew Redabaugh, Shelley Hayreh