Venice Design Series
The 2025 Venice Design Series is approaching, so mark your calendars for Saturday April 26 and Saturday May 3 to reserve space for two unique and wonderful events. This year, we’ll be visiting historic West Adams and the singular community of Venice.
Sponsorship packages and tickets available here!
Please contact Linda Lucks at [email protected] with any questions.

Join Us
The Venice Design Series showcases the remarkable architecture, brilliant design, and innovative culture of Los Angeles through a social justice lens. All proceeds help Venice Community Housing further our mission of promoting affordable housing and supportive services across LA’s Westside.
The 2025 Venice Design Series guests will learn about LA’s history through tours of the Venice and West Adams neighborhoods.
April 26: Exploring Our Own Backyard — Venice
Our journey begins in Venice, where we’ll visit the Venice Beach House, a historic social hub. We’ll stroll along Park Avenue, past the home where Abbot Kinney himself once lived, where we’ll visit an original mail order home and other early-20th century residences, including the home of Arthur Reese. Reese was the designer of the Venice Boardwalk, commissioned by Abbot Kinney, and the first Black homeowner in Venice. We’ll also have the unique opportunity to view the original mural inside the historic Venice Post Office—no longer an active post office, but recently restored and ready for its next chapter.
May 3: A Walk Through History — West Adams
On May 3, we’ll explore the historic West Adams neighborhood, home to stunning turn-of-the-century estates, including the Rindge Mansion and the Guasti Villa. Our tour also includes a visit to the original home of Paul Revere Williams, the pioneering architect who was the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects. Williams left an indelible mark on Los Angeles, designing the iconic Theme Building at LAX, leading the revitalization of the Beverly Hills Hotel in the 1940s, and creating homes for luminaries like Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Desi Arnaz.
Some tour locations are pending confirmation. A detailed itinerary with all locations will be sent to guests prior to the event dates.
For any questions, please contact event co-founder Linda Lucks at 310-526-3857 or [email protected].
2025 Events
Venice Architectural Tour
Day One
Hosted in partnership with the Venice Heritage Museum.
Saturday, April 26 from 9:30am – 2:00pm
Venice, Los Angeles, was founded in 1905 by tobacco magnate Abbot Kinney as a resort town designed to emulate Venice, Italy, with canals, beaches, and grand, Mediterranean-style architecture. Kinney’s vision included a lively amusement pier and a thriving cultural scene, attracting artists, writers, and performers. The annexation into Los Angeles in the 1920s saw Venice grow into a vibrant, eclectic community, with architecture that blended Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles with beach cottages and bungalows. Over time, the area became known for its bohemian atmosphere and artistic subculture. In the post-World War II era, Venice underwent significant changes, with much of its original architecture replaced by modern developments. Today, Venice is recognized for its blend of historic architecture, artistic heritage, and contemporary urban culture, maintaining its unique, eclectic character.
West Adams Architectural Tour
Day Two
Hosted in partnership with the West Adams Heritage Association.
Saturday, May 3 from 10:00am – 2:00pm
West Adams is one of Los Angeles’ oldest neighborhoods, once the site of grand homes and rapid development during the city’s land boom that turned the city from a pueblo to a metropolis from 1887 to 1915. The area, located between Figueroa and West Boulevard, became a hub for new wealth, with architects designing homes in various architectural styles such as Victorian, Craftsman, and Beaux Arts. Notable figures — including city leaders such as Lawrence Doheny, Isidore Dockweiler and Frederick Rindge, and film stars like Hattie McDaniel, Ethel Waters, Fatty Arbuckle and Theda Bara — made their homes here. By the early 1980s, new residents began revitalizing the area, restoring homes and working to improve the commercial streets.



Venice Design Series 2024
THE Revival
$20,000
- Customized event opportunities
- Listing in press materials and VCH newsletters
- Listing on VDS website and e-vite
- Customized ticket package for tours
Provides one year of housing in the VCH Bridge Housing program for a parent and their children.
THE Victorian
$10,000
- Listing in press materials
- Inclusion in VCH newsletters
- Listing on VDS website and e-vite
- 12 event tickets
Provides one year of case management services for five formerly unhoused individuals.
THE Bungalow
$7,500
- Inclusion in VCH newsletters
- Listing on VDS website and e-vite
- 8 event tickets
Provides support for Venice youth as they complete high school and gain valuable work experience.
THE Renaissance
$5,000
- Inclusion in VCH newsletters
- Listing on VDS website and e-vite
- 6 event tickets
Provides a year of academic-based after-school services for ten students.
THE Mission
$3,000
- Inclusion in VCH newsletters
- Listing on VDS website and e-vite
- 4 Event Tickets
Provides apartment furnishings for two formerly unhoused families.
INDIVIDUAL EVENT TICKET
- Available for purchase now
CO-FOUNDERS: Jay Griffith & Linda Lucks
CO-CHAIRS: Sylvia Aroth | Dolores Golden | Carla Kirkeby
COMMITTEE: Michel Dory, Nancy Griffin, Pat Kandel, Barbara Milliken, Laurie Newman, Tom Paris, Jack Prichett, Paul Tanck, Anne Zimmerman
Our 2025 Sponsors
The Revival
The Victorian
Erin-Aine Miller (in Memoriam), Ron Culver & the M.M. and W.O. Miller Charitable Trust | Heidi Frey & Robert Greenfield | Carla Kirkeby
The Bungalow
The Renaissance
Jay Griffith | Nancy Loncke & Ron Rouda | Marie Kennedy & Chris Tilly | Kristin & Michael Sant | Kira Snyder & Allen Blue
The Mission
Sylvia Aroth | Gubb and Barshay, LLP | Sharon & Hon. Gray Davis | Barbara Milliken & Jack Prichett | Laurie Newman | Marlene & Mike Rapkin | Lauren Smith & Tom Paris | Anne Zimmerman
Special Thanks to County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell