The Works Progress Administration’s (WPA) modernization of Santa Monica High School between 1935 and 1938 represented the largest reconstruction project undertaken by the Santa Monica City School District following the devastating 1933 Long Beach earthquake. The WPA remodeled and retrofitted… read more
Barnum Hall Theater was one of three new buildings constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) at Santa Monica High School between 1935 and 1938 as part of the largest reconstruction project undertaken by the Santa Monica City School District… read more
Artist Stanton Macdonald-Wright designed two murals for Barnum Hall Theater at Santa Monica High School. The works were funded by the Federal Arts Project (FAP). In 1938, Macdonald-Wright completed a mural titled “Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla” upon Barnum… read more
Several New Deal art works grace the Santa Monica high school campus, including a 7-foot-high cast stone sculpture titled “The Viking.” Located on the patio between the Art and History buildings, the sculpture was created by John Palo-Kangas in 1937… read more
A 5×5-foot carved wood bas-relief depicting four “Workers” is located in the library over the circulation desk. It was produced in 1937 with Federal Art Project (FAP) funds. The artist is unknown. “Research suggests that the art piece was salvaged… read more
Originally painted for Santa Monica High School’s library in 1935—likely under the auspices of the WPA Federal Art Project (FAP)—Conrad Buff’s mural “Westward II” was being stored in Barnum Hall as of 2018.
This 4′ by 3′ cast stone relief entitled “Comedy, Tragedy, Music” was produced by Olinka Hrdy in 1937 with Federal Art Project (FAP) funds. It is located on the primary (east) façade of Barnum Hall and depicts stylized Greek comedy… read more
In 1937, Grace Clements adorned a 30-foot curved bench at Santa Monica High School with petrachrome mosaics depicting ocean life. Created under the auspices of the WPA Federal Arts Project (FAP), “Senior Bench” is located in a landscaped area south… read more