Past Exhibitions
Posters for the People: Public Art Then and Now
Exhibition Opening: Friday, September 26, 2008, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Lincoln Financial Mural Arts Center at the Thomas Eakins House
1727-29 Mount Vernon Street
In 2008 we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal presidency and his vision for a hopeful and strong America. Join us for an exciting look at this bold government effort to rebuild our country after the Great Depression. Through the lens of the posters that were created to promote its programs, we showcase the history, the beauty, the values ... and the legacy of the Art of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
During the 1930s and 1940s, the WPA employed thousands of citizens, including hundreds of out-of-work artists. From 1935 to 1943, the WPA Poster Division was responsible for designing, printing, and distributing millions of posters to raise awareness about public issues and civic life.
The production of these items was administered at the state level by WPA sub-agencies commonly referred to as Museum Extension Projects (MEP), in collaboration with local boards of education, colleges and museums. According to historians, Pennsylvania's MEP was the most successful and prolific of these programs and served as a model for other states
Posters for the People: Public Art Then and Now will feature posters created by Pennsylvania artists for various governmental agencies, as well as photographs from the MEP collected by exhibition partner Design for Social Impact. Also included will be WPA-inspired posters designed by youth in the Mural Arts Program's Big Picture program under the direction of silkscreen artist Candy Depew.
Exhibition on view September 26 - October 26, 2008.
Past Exhibitions