The ICAA North Carolina Chapter is pleased to partner with the Museum of Southern Decorative Arts to host a Sip & Sketch in conjunction with the 2026 A Modern Twist on the Classics: A MESDA Design Seminar.
May 1, 2026
3:00-5:30pm
Old Salem Visitor Center
Wachovia Room
900 Old Salem Road
Winston Salem, North Carolina 27101
SCHEDULE
3:00-3:30 – Reception @ Visitor Center
3:30-4:00 – Class Session @ Wachovia Room
4:00-5:30 – Drawing Session @ Old Salem
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Throughout history architects and designers have continually looked to antiquity for inspiration and
instruction, studying historic buildings as precedent for contemporary practice. As students of the built
environment, we primarily turn to measured drawing and observational sketches as a medium for capturing
these precedents— which can vary in scale from something as small as a moulding profile, all the way up to a building façade study, or a site plan that illustrates the relationship between building and landscape. This course aims to introduce participants to a step-by-step process to produce measured drawings, and to provide an opportunity to put the process into practice by doing a guided measured drawing at a historic location in Old Salem, NC.
INSTRUCTOR
Alex Ancona is a project architect for the Charlotte, NC based architecture and interior design firm, Pursley Dixon. He is also a board member for the North Carolina chapter of the ICAA, as well as the inaugural recipient of the Kyle D. Taylor Memorial Scholarship. His love of drawing and historic buildings, particularly the 19th century log cabin he calls home, has led to continued study and appreciation of traditional architecture and details.
This event is free for all ICAA Members and MESDA Design Seminar Attendees, please register here
Please stay tuned for more information an AIA continuing education credit options.
ICAA, NC is pleased to be a major sponsor the 2026 A Modern Twist on the Classics: A MESDA Design Seminar in Winston-Salem, May 1 and 2. Moderated by J. Thomas Savage, MESDA’s longtime Design Seminar host and the Director of Educational Travel & Conferences at Colonial Williamsburg, this program brings together notable architects, designers, and gardeners to share the latest trends in design, and how they create harmony between a home, garden, and a space’s history.
During the Saturday seminar program, guests will hear from Edward Bulmer, Author of The Colourful Past: Edward Bulmer and the English Country House, about his experiences using natural materials and rich color to re-envision the future of the English Country House. And then learn from design historian Scott Powell, author of Frances Elkins: Visionary American Designer, about the famed interior designer and the methods she used to merge traditional and modern home design while adding unexpected, timeless touches. After lunch, Steven Spandle, architect of the White House Tennis Pavilion, will share his journey with classical architecture, from his time working with Norman Askins to his current projects, including the design of his new home and his fascinating Americana collection. The day will close out with a book signing.