Arts Programs Sites

The former Rincon Annex post office (now Rincon Center) has an extraordinary set of murals, 27 large panels along the upper wall of the lobby of the old post office.  They tell the "History of California" from the Spanish conquest of California to the founding of the United Nations in the city at the end of the Second World War. These murals are the work of Anton Refregier, an artist with a leftist bent and a strong streak of independence.  They are an astonishing accomplishment in terms of scale, historical vision and artistic style, which is quite unlike most mural art of...

A great number of improvements to the General Grant National Memorial ("Grant's Tomb") were undertaken by the WPA between 1935 and 1939. As the National Park Service's David Kahn (1980) explains: "In 1938 the Federal Art Project selected artists William Mues and Jeno Juszko to design the busts of William T. Sherman, Phillip H. Sheridan, George H. Thomas, James B. McPherson, and Edward Ord. The WPA installed five busts in the circular wall of the atrium surrounding the sarcophagi. After the many contributions of the WPA, the Grant Monument Association held a re-dedication of the tomb on April 27, 1939." The Riverside...

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...

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.”

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.

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.

The four large granite bas reliefs installed along the side of the William Penn Annex/Robert N. C. Nix Federal Building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were carved by Edmond R. Amateis. They are collectively titled "Mail Delivery – North, South, East, West," and were created in 1941 with funding from the Treasury Section of Fine Arts.

The two large granite reliefs "Law" and "Justice", as well as two large stone eagles, were carved by Donald De Lue. They were commissioned by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts in 1940. They are installed around the exterior of the William Penn Annex/Robert N. C. Nix Federal Building.

The abandoned children's ward of the Rockland Psychiatric Center received New Deal artwork commissioned under the auspices of the WPA—mostly likely the Federal Art Project. The works were created by Victor Pedrotti Trent. According to Abandoned NYC, some of the murals are extensively damaged, while others are still in fine condition.

Lloyd Moylan completed this fresco mural, entitled "The Dissemination of Education in New Mexico," in 1938 with funds provided by Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project. It is viewable on the main stairwell and second floor of Rodgers Hall, the administration building for New Mexico Highlands University.

"New Deal mural entitled "Landing of Swedes at The Rocks in Wilmington" painted in 1938 by Albert Pels. At the time it was painted, it hung behind the judge's bench in the US Courtroom of the Wilmington Post Office and Courthouse building. With the construction of a new US Courthouse, the mural was removed to the Rodney Square Post Office in Wilmington."

This mural, "Deep Sea Magic," by Oklahoma artist Olinka Hrdy was painted in 1939 and funded by the WPA Federal Art Project (FAP). It is composed of two panels, each measuring 6' x 19', and is currently located in the foyer of Will Rogers Middle School. "The artist’s signature and 'Federal Art Project WPA; is written in the corner.... The mural depicts an underwater scene of marine life motifs. The background is a bluegreen sea with sea creatures, plants, and fish painted in a flat style with fine lines and detailing. One door (not original) is located on each wall...

Two 5' x 20' murals "Land" and "Harvest" by Nelson Pool were painted for the Roosevelt Middle School lobby with funding from the WPA Federal Art Project.

This 5' x 25' oil on canvas mural "Education" by George Wilson Walker was funded by the WPA Federal Art Project. It is on the second floor over the entrance to the auditorium balcony.

"The Roswell Museum and Art Center was founded in 1935 through an agreement between the City of Roswell, Works Progress Administration (WPA), Federal Art Project (FAP), Chaves County Archaeological and Historical Society, and the Roswell Friends of Art. The Museum opened in 1937, deriving its initial support from the WPA as part of a Depression era project to promote public art centers nationwide. Today, the Roswell Museum and Art Center is among a handful of these Federal Art Centers that remain in operation. In its proposed plan, the WPA established that 'the root of the community art center idea is...

"Packet Day at the Five Mile River" was painted by George Avison in 1937 with funding from the WPA Federal Art Project. It was restored circa 1986. The mural is located at the Rowayton Community Center and Library.

In 1937, artist Charles Reiffel completed an oil painting titled "Across the Bay" for Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle School (formerly Dodson Junior High School) in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Located in the administration office, the painting depicts a view of (possibly) San Diego harbor with Mt. Soledad in the distance. It is framed in a bleached wood frame measuring 48 x 36 inches. A small brass plate affixed to the frame reads: "Federal Art Project."

In 1937, Frank H. Bowers and Arthur W. Prunier painted a 2,000 square foot mural at the former Ruth Home in El Monte, CA. They received funding from the Federal Art Project (FAP). The Pacific Protective Society's Ruth Home provided housing, treatment, and schooling to girls and babies infected with gonorrhea. Bowers' and Prunier's mural, which depicts a beauty salon, was located in a school and arts & crafts building on the fifteen-acre campus. It is presumed lost. Bowers and Prunier also collaborated on a pair of FAP murals at City Hall in South Gate, CA.

The two 6' x 8' panels of this mural "Discovery of America" by Irene Bianucci. They were completed with WPA Federal Art Project funds in 1940 and restored in 1997.

"Importance of Education in Sacramento" by Ralph Stackpole was painted in 1937 with support from the WPA Federal Art Project. "San Francisco painter and sculptor Ralph Stackpole was among the artists who created on the federal dime. He spent the summer of 1937 painting a mural on plaster in the lobby of the auditorium at Sacramento Junior College on Freeport Boulevard, since renamed Sacramento City College. Stackpole's mural depicts people engaged in various forms of work, such as designing an airplane and farming." (https://www.mcclatchydc.com/2009/02/03/61368/senates-stimulus-bill-is-nothing.html#ixzz0rpxez4CQ) The mural is 30' x 10' tempera on plaster.

Julius Woeltz painted this 12' x 6' oil on canvas mural, entitled "The Bauxite Mines," in 1942 for the Treasury Section of Fine Arts. The mural was originally installed in the Benton post office and it now hangs in the Saline County Courthouse. From the Benton Courier: "The mural's early history is profiled in a publication, titled 'Postmasters: Arkansas Post Office Art in the New Deal,' by John Purifoy Gill. "In the publication, Gill notes that Arkansas' bauxite mines were a natural inspiration for Julius Woeltz, a University of Texas art professor, who received an invitation to paint the mural just five...

The former Samuel Gompers High School building in the Bronx contains a 1936 fresco by Eric Mose entitled "Power." It was presumably done under the auspices of the WPA's Federal Arts Project. The mural was located in the library on the third floor, but was painted over in the 1980s. The former Samuel Gompers High School now houses several smaller schools of the NY Public Schools

"The WPA would make another addition to the Samuel J. Tilden High School, this time in the form of a mural for the auditorium. The project took nearly two years to complete, as muralist Abraham Lishinsky, working with his colleague Irving A. Block, designed and painted a 2,400-square-foot mural depicting “Major Influences in Civilization” for the auditorium. Among the six assistants they employed over time was the artist Abram "Al" Lerner."

The three panels of this oil-on-canvas mural "Mormon Saw Mill" were painted by Rex Brandt with FAP funds.

These two 10' x 20' murals "San Diego Harbor" and "San Diego Back Country" by Charles Reiffel were originally installed in the Russ Auditorium at San Diego High School. They were painted in 1936 under the auspices of the WPA Federal Art Project.

This photo montage mural by Benjamin Cunningham hangs in the City Treasurer's Office. It was funded by the WPA's Federal Art Project in 1938.

Albert Stewart completed four bronze reliefs showing the "Minting Process" at the San Francisco Mint in 1937 with Treasury Section of Fine Arts funds. Stewart also completed two sculptures, entitled "Eagles," for the Mint.  

Two granite sculptures by Beniamino Bufano decorate the San Francisco State University campus. The "Head of St. Francis" stands in the main quadrangle near the walkway between the Business and Student Centers. The 4' sculpture of a male torso is in the courtyard between the HHS and Business buildings.

Sisters Helen, Margaret and Esther Bruton created two mosaics for the exterior of the San Francisco Zoo's Mothers Building in 1934. The mosaics depict "Children and Their Animal Friends" and "St. Francis."  

Murals by Dorothy Pucinelli and Helen Forbes adorn the interior of the Mothers Building at the SF Zoo which was originally built in 1925 as a refuge for mothers and their children. Pucinelli and Forbes used egg tempera to paint a four panel mural illustrating "Noah and his Ark-the Waters Subsiding and Renewal." The murals were painted in 1938 with Federal Art Project funds. From 1978 to 2002, the building served as the Zoo's gift shop, however the murals are currently deteriorating and, pending more funds for restoration, the building is only used for occasional events.

This 8 x 17 foot mural of the West Marin landscape was restored during 2003-2005 and is now protected by a glass case.    

This series of nine oil-on-canvas murals, collectively titled "Industrial Life in San Pedro," by Federal Art Project (FAP) artist Tyrone Comfort is located in the library at San Pedro High School in San Pedro, CA. Completed in 1937, the nine murals are "Hauling the Cargo," "Fisherman in Port," "The Riveters," "Refinery Maintenance," "Opening the Valves," "The Propeller Crew," "Loading the Harvest," "Construction Workers," and "The Drillers." They were restored and preserved by the Los Angeles Unified School District Historic Schools Investment Fund in 2008. Comfort's other FAP works in the region include two murals, "Printing" and "Science and Industry" (1936), at John...

In 1937, Ross Dickinson completed a four-panel mural at San Pedro High School in San Pedro, CA. He received funding from the Federal Art Project (FAP). Dickinson's other New Deal works—all in Los Angeles, CA—include two murals, “A Valley in California” and “Mankind’s Achievements" (1934), at George Washington Preparatory High School; a pair of tile mosaics (1936) at Thomas Starr King Middle School; and a mural, “History of the Recorded Word” (1937), at Thomas Jefferson High School. Also located at San Pedro High School is a series of murals by FAP artist Tyrone Comfort. Titled "Industrial Life in San Pedro," these murals...

"Abstract full-length portrait of Louis Pasteur. The red granite figure wears a cape and belt of stainless steel. The cape is decorated with twenty-two stainless steel round buttons. The sculpture stands on a concrete pedestal base." "The sculpture was created as a WPA (Works Progress Administration) project, and the school paid $300 for materials. It was originally in a glade by the school's art building, but around 1959 was knocked down by vandals and the figure's nose was damaged. The sculpture was reinstalled in a landscaped area by the school's Science building. In September 1969, the artist attempted to remove the...

The Sandersville high/elementary school was constructed by the PWA in 1939. The red brick building with a Georgian-Colonial facade was built on one level in the shape of an E. The high school was on the east side and the elementary school on the west, with the Administrative office, library, commercial and home economics rooms in the middle front. The 600 seat auditorium, music and expression rooms were in the center arm of the E. A small lunch room was built behind the auditorium. A newspaper article indicates the school district filed an application with the government for a grant...

The Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) commissioned bas-relief sculptures by Elliot Franz Sandow (1910-1976) at the Orinda Water Treatment Plant, part of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). They decorate an overflow weir at the plant.  Labor and materials for the project cost $1360. The artist completed similar bas-relief panels for the Labor Temple and Woodminster Amphitheater in Oakland. The sculptures remain in fine condition and are available for public viewing at the Orinda plant.

Campbell Grant was hired by the WPA in 1934 to paint two murals for Santa Barbara High School: "North America" and "South America." The murals went up in the administrative lobby and have recently been restored. Campbell Grant was the brother of Gordon K. Grant, another active New Deal artist.

Two 25' x 8' oil on canvas lunettes by Samuel Vaughan were commissioned by the Federal Art Project: "Men at Work" and "US Army in Europe"

Four oil on canvas murals depicting Santa Cruz's industry: "Cabbage Farming," "Limestone Quarries," "Artichoke," and "Fishing." "The vivid paintings show limestone quarry workers, men picking artichokes and fishermen at the waters edge. One painting, titled Cabbage Culture, shows three farm workers, one of them bent over as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders."

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.