Another random image from the Archives O’ Alice (a.k.a. that slightly frightening dumping ground that is the “My Pictures” folder on my computer). This is a public service poster circa the 1940’s. I love the style of the drawing. The lettering is beautifully done. And the colors are amazing.
I was interested in learning a bit more about the poster and what the WPA Art Project was so I did a bit of online hunting. I found out that there’s an interesting background to it’s creation. :
In 1933 and 1934, during the period of “The Great Depression,” the Federal government’s Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) was organized by the Civil Works Administration. The general purpose of the program was “to give work to artists by arranging to have competent representatives of the profession embellish public buildings.” This program lasted less than one year, yet it provided employment for approximately 3,700 artists who created nearly 15,000 works of art. In 1935, a similar project, the Federal Art Project (FAP) was established by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The Federal Art Project continued until 1943, when the beginning of World War II had changed economic priority to the war effort and the Nation was experiencing economic recovery. Thus ended the first major era of government patronage for art in the United States. – provided by John R. Graham, Curator of Exhibits, Western Illinois University Art Gallery, 1 University Circle, Macomb, Illinois 61455
