- City:
- New York, New York City, NY
- Site Type:
- Art Works, Murals
- New Deal Agencies:
- Arts Programs, Work Relief Programs, Federal Arts Project (FAP), Works Progress Administration (WPA)
- Artist:
- Elba Lightfoot
- Quality of Information:
- Very Good
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
In 1937 Elba Lightfoot completed this mural, entitled “Toy Parade,” for the Harlem Hospital Center with funding from the WPA’s Federal Arts Program. It was one the first major federal commissions to be awarded to African-Americans. The hospital initially rejected the commission for depicting too much African-American subject matter. The hospital commissioner reversed this decision, however, after public controversy was aroused by protest from the artists and their supporters (New York Times).
Source notes
National Archives and Records Administration, Negative 12709-C "At Harlem Hospitals, Murals Get a New Life", New York Times, Sept. 16, 2012Contribute to this Site
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