WINTER/SPRING 2022

Energy Savings For a Greener DeSoto

Atlanta-based Southface Institute, a national  environmental non-profit, awarded the DeSoto Theatre a $30,000 grant in Spring 2021 for technical assistance and energy-savings projects  to make the DeSoto's historic 1929 stucture a "greener" building.  The 2:1 match grant requires that DeSoto contribute a $15,000 match in funds raised from the community.
In consultation with Southface, Energy Consulting Services in Atlanta was hired in the fall of 2021 to insulate, air seal and weatherize the historic DeSoto Theatre.

FALL 2021

Concessions Lounge Furniture

Thanks to a generous donation from Romans Linda and Jim Owens, and in preparation for numerous concerts and holiday events, the Concessions Lounge is now beautifully furnished with consoles, chairs and wall hangings. The center of the room is open for concessions lines and community gatherings.

JUNE 2021

Furnishing for the Stylish DeSoto Lounge

We are thankful to life-long Roman Villa Sulzbacher Hizer for her impactful legacy gift earmarked towards beautifying the front rooms of the DeSoto.  Her gift this year allowed us to add the beautiful period antique furniture and reproductions that complement the  custom-made, curved, floating bench that she helped fund in 2020.
The beautiful new  look for the lounge came together thanks also to the vision and generosity of interior designer Tommy Lam. With an uncanny ability to remember every detail of what his grandfather O.C. Lam's theater used to look like, Tommy brought the 1940s Art Deco Lounge back to life.

JANUARY 2021

New auditorium heat and air units, thanks in part to a GCA $75,000 grant

We're honored to have won a  competitive, state-wide grant in Fall 2020 that helped us replace and relocate the auditorium's hvac units. The timing could not have been more perfect, as air filtration and ventilation especially in public places take on new, critical importance in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Winning the Georgia Council for the Arts Cultural Facilities Grant reinforces the importance of the DeSoto and other arts and culture  facilities to serve as economic engines for their communities.

OCTOBER 2020

Historic recreation of the curved, floating banquette seat in the DeSoto Lounge

We are fortunate to have details of a leather banquette in the original plans of the 1940s addition of the Art Deco Lounge. But, we’re even more fortunate to have Villa Sulzbacher Hizer as the wonderful donor who made this project and additonal period furniture possible!
The banquette was custom-made by Corn Upholstery Co., an Atlanta company established in 1946 that made all the beautiful furniture at the new Marquee Club at the Fox Theatre.

AUGUST 2020

Historic recreation of the Art Deco neon lights

The neon lights that used to illuminate the DeSoto’s entrance lobby and Lounge are back!  As with the banquette, this work was also based on the original plans for the 1940s addition. The recreation of the neon lights was possible thanks to two matching grants awarded to the DeSoto by the Rome Area Heritage Foundation.