New Deal Art: WPA and Beyond in the Northwest

Between December 1933 and February 1943, four federal programs were responsible for hiring artists in order to create public artworks and provide art-making opportunities to millions of Americans. This was done as part of a larger economic stimulus package. Unfortunately, as the United States entered World War II, this initiative came to an abrupt end, resulting in lost or scattered information and artworks. This led to the story of what had occurred in the Northwest being obscured for a long time.

A new and groundbreaking volume, which coincides with an exhibition at the Tacoma Art Museum, now offers the first comprehensive survey of the impact of these federal arts projects in the Pacific Northwest. The book reveals the vast scope and variety of work produced under the New Deal regional programs, including paintings, prints, murals, ceramics, textiles, and the iconic Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood. This lavishly illustrated exploration will be a valuable resource for both scholars and art enthusiasts.

The exhibition will be held at the Tacoma Art Museum from February 22 to August 16, 2020.

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