original single surviving american depression-era c. 1931 single-sided metallic gold enameled cast plaster interior nortown atmospheric theater ventilation grille fabricated by the decorators' supply company, chicago, ills. the perforated flush mount panel contains alternating design motifs within a grid containing eight squares. the painted plaster artifact was salvaged from the north side chicago nortown theater (demolished in 2007). the atmospheric nortown theater was designed and built in 1931 by architect j.e.o. pridmore and the paschen brothers as general contractors. containing over 2000 seats, the auditorium was modeled after the mediterranean region of europe, with an italian courtyard overlooking the sea. the walls gave off an illusion of a seascape and garden scene containing the exteriors of villas with tile rooftops. the audience was seated in full view of the ocean, with lighthouse effect and ships passing in the offing. the nortown was considered the first theater given a pronounced marine treatment. the auditorium ceiling was designed to emulate an "april constellation," with astronomy professor j.c. penn of the armour institute, commissioned to arrange the stars in their proper places to ensure an authentic layout.