This un-attributed art was created by one of thousands of artists who participated in the Federal Art Project. Part of the Works Progress Administration, the project started in 1935 and survived until 1943.

Readin', writin', and 'rithmetic are three themes that appealed to many of the artists who participated in the Federal Art Project.

George Biddle, the founder of the project, said that because of the Federal Art Project, the Depression exerted, "a more invigorating effect on American art than any past event in the country's history." While times were hard, the mood of the posters was typically upbeat and the designs were bold and original and many of the artists felt free to experiment with a wide range of concepts. For American art, it was a vital period that invigorated the entire country's perception of what art could be and brought American art into the international forefront.

As art historian Francis O'Connor said, "Something very vital indeed, something revolutionary happened to American culture during the 1930's."

One of the FAP's major activities was the index of American Design. The project helped in popularizing American folk art by documenting the countries "usable past" of over 20,000 photographic records of American art, painting, sculpture, handicraft and folk art. The project was dissolved in 1943.

The Library of Congress is the largest single holder of WPA posters, having over 900 in its collection.

Created/Published : Federal Art Project, between 1936 and 1941, New York

Part of the Work Projects Administration Poster Collection housed in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress.

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Product #: cph3b48862