Harvey Government Center Bas Reliefs – Key West FL

Description

Harvey Government Center is home to two examples of Federal Art Project-sponsored bas reliefs. They are located in the council chambers room on the second floor of the building.

“New Deal art was also installed in the Florida Keys. The two primary sculptors were Joan van Breeman and Lambert Bemelman. One of Bemelman’s pieces is still extant at the Hurricane Memorial at Mile Marker 81.5. Van Breeman created a number of bas relief sculptures for public schools built by the WPA in the Upper Keys (to replace public schools destroyed by hurricanes). One of van Breeman’s work now is on display in the Harvey Government Center in Key West. Other works of hers are in the Travernier and Matecumbe Schools (done August 1938), the Islamorada Library, and the Plantation Key Courthouse.”   (http://wpamurals.org)