• Post Office - Gardena CA
    The post office in Gardena, CA, was constructed in 1939 under the Federal Works Administration (FWA). After the federal reorganization of 1939, the agency responsible for the construction and maintenance of federal buildings—the Procurement Division, renamed the Public Buildings Administration—passed from the Treasury Department to the newly-formed FWA. The cornerstone lists John M. Carmody as Federal Works Administrator and W. Englebert Reynolds as Commissioner of Public Buildings. Still in use today, the post office houses a relief by Rudolph Parducci.
  • Post Office Relief - Gardena CA
    The post office in Gardena, CA, is home to a carved mahogany relief by Rudolph Parducci. Titled "Rural Life," the relief depicts a farm scene with a family, chickens, and horses. The project was funded by the Section of Fine Arts (SFA) under the newly-created Public Buildings Administration. Established in 1939, the Section of Fine Arts succeeded the Treasury Section of Painting and Sculpture (1934-1938) and the Treasury Section of Fine Arts (1938-1939) in overseeing artworks created to enhance public buildings, notably post offices.
  • Robert E. Peary Middle School - Gardena CA
    Robert E. Peary Middle School (formerly Gardena High School), which opened in 1907 in Gardena, CA, was rebuilt with funding from the Public Works Administration (PWA) between 1934 and 1935. In January 1934, the PWA allocated $9,380,000 to the Los Angeles Unified School District for the rehabilitation of schools damaged in the severe 1933 Long Beach earthquake.  One hundred and thirty schools would benefit from the system-wide loan and grant, with 2,500 men to be employed in rehabilitation work over 21 months. Upon receiving news of the PWA allocation, Board of Education member Arthur Eckman told the Los Angeles Times, “I am sure...
  • Robert E. Peary Middle School: Kende Painting - Gardena CA
    In 1936, artist Geza Kende completed an oil on canvas painting titled "Melon Field" for Robert E. Peary Middle School (formerly Gardena High School) in Gardena, CA. Located in Stephan Hall, the painting depicts a farmhouse behind rows of growing melons, with mountains in the distance. Two labels are affixed to the reverse: a label indicating that the painting had been renovated by Rash Gallery; and a label with the artist's name, title, numbered: “#13,” and inscribed: “Federal Art Project.” Stamped on the reverse of the stretcher: “Duncan Vail Co., 730 South Hill St., Los Angeles.” Kende was a Hungarian-born portrait and...
  • Robert E. Peary Middle School: Van Halle Painting - Gardena CA
    In 1939, artist Francis J. Van Halle completed an oil on canvas painting titled "Chrysanthemums" for Robert E. Peary Middle School (formerly Gardena High School) in Gardena, CA. Located in Stephan Hall, the painting depicts a vase of chrysanthemums on a stone ledge against a brown background. It is framed in a painted and gilt frame measuring 37.25 x 23.5 inches. A partial paper label is affixed to the reverse with artist’s name, title, numbered “#44” and inscribed “Federal Art Proj.”
  • Robert E. Peary Middle School: Yeckley Painting - Gardena CA
    In 1935, artist Norman Yeckley completed an oil on canvas painting titled "Deserted Rancho Landscape" for Robert E. Peary Middle School (formerly Gardena High School) in Gardena, CA. Located in Stephan Hall, the painting depicts a ramshackle adobe building in front of purple mountains. Affixed to the reverse are a label indicating that the painting was renovated by Rash Gallery and an artist’s label with the artist’s name, title and inscribed: “Reed. 7-12-35/WPA Art Project.” It is framed in a gilded frame measuring 27.5 x 33 inches.
  • Robert E. Peary Middle School: Zornes Painting - Gardena CA
    In 1934, artist Milford Zornes completed a watercolor painting titled "The Bay" for Robert E. Peary Middle School (formerly Gardena High School) in Gardena, CA. Located in Room 18, the painting painting depicts a large tree overlooking blue water. The title is written in the lower left corner. It is framed under glazing in a wood frame with a small brass plate that reads "Public Works of Art Project." Zornes was an Oklahoma-born watercolorist for whom Western landscapes were a favorite subject. He also did a New Deal mural for the post office in Claremont, CA.