After the crash of 1929 and the Depression that followed, 25% of the nation’s work force was unemployed. The Works Progress Administration/Federal Arts Project (known as WPA / FAP) was formed in 1935 as a work-relief program for artists who were admitted after establishing financial need and displaying artistic ability. In the 8 years of it’s existence, 1935-1943 when the program ended due to WW II, 5,000 muralists, painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers and poster designers were provided a wage.
The Graphic Arts Division was established for printmakers and provided an extraordinary opportunity for creating a body of accessible, affordable public art limited edition prints that reflected the social mission to improve and change conditions. Subjects chosen for the work included typical scenes from American daily life, both rural and urban, as well as industrial scenes that have become icons of the era. Some worked with realism, others worked in styles of Cubism & Surrealism. Photos below show some of the rich and varied prints from the New York City Graphic Arts collection that we can offer.
Regardless of style, each print was only produced in LIMITED EDITIONS of up to 25 per image. Some prints are signed and stamped, some are not, but all that we present on EBAY have been authenticated and documented as original. The program ended in 1943 with our entry into the war, as the defense industry employed so many American Workers that unemployment was virtually a thing of the past. The WPA, which was no longer needed, ended.
Many of the prints at that time were destroyed or sold as scrap material. Some collections were fortunately saved by far-sighted private collectors and provide a fascinating look at a most unique time in our nation’s history. A variety of WPA prints are available in the connectibles store.
