Fruits Of Their Labors: WPA Art

3b48806rIn honor of the Labor Day weekend,  DG invites our readers to ponder the legacy of the WPA.

The Library of Congress has a great collection of posters --the one seen here was created for the Federal Art Project's Index of American Design exhibit in Ohio.

Murals in public buildings abound, but in various states of preservation.   

The WPA also built golf courses, swimming pools, and even a circus.

(The government is still in the circus business, some might argue.)

Laura Hapke's book, Labor's Canvas,  is an engrossing study of labor art,  from both an art history and social history view, which sounds very academic, but don't be deterred.  Well worth the effort. 

Posted by KateC on August 29, 2008 in History, Art