WPA Poster Lesson Plan

Don't kill our wild life

Teaching Notes

This selection is for students to analyze before creating their own posters -- what works well? This also relates to my endangered butterfly poster because it tells what not to do, rather than what to do -- and the picture supplements the words with how wildlife are killed -- by cars at night when animals are crossing the road. The poster implies: Be careful when driving in the countryside. Look out for crossing animals. I like the way the words reinforce the color of the headlights, with the deer caught between. The word "our" intensifies our obligation to protect these wild animals that are the responsibility, in a way, of all of us. At this time in history, especially during food shortages, hunting was probably more common and necessary -- but this sign cautions drivers not to accidentally collide with animals.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/92509203/

Reference note

Date Created/Published: NYC : Works Progress Administration, Federal Art Project, [between 1936 and 1940]
Summary: Poster showing two deer crossing road in front of approaching car.
Call Number: POS - WPA - NY .01 .D67, no. 1 (C size) [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
Notes: Date stamped on verso: Jul 18 1940. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Poster design attributed to John Wagner. Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress). Posters of the WPA / Christopher DeNoon. Los Angeles : Wheatly Press, c1987, no. 171 More information about the WPA Posters is available at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.wpapos
Subjects: United States.--National Park Service--Public relations--1930-1940. Wildlife conservation--United States--1930-1940. Deer--1930-1940. Automobiles--1930-1940.

Plains farms need trees Trees prevent wind erosion, save moisture ... protect crops, contribute to human comfort and happiness /

Teaching Notes

This poster is split vertically to show before and after images of farm land-- with and without trees that serve as windbreaks to slow erosion. It relates to my butterfly poster with the word "need" that implies we can help solve this problem, probably related to preventing Dust storms? This WPA poster promotes a US Forestry Project, probably related to the New Deal. I like the typography-- the top words are empty and bare, just showing the plain paper surrounded by gray, "need" is solid so stands out, and TREES is large and three-d with shadows so the word seems to pop forward in relief. The white sun shining between the letters R and E suggests the need for shade in the relentless sun. The left side shows fields bordered with greenery, which can be a continuous habitat for wildlife. The Red roofed barn and silos in the lower front indicate prosperity, whereas the single building on the right seems to be alone in a desert of beige furrows. Both sides guide us with diagonals to the center and up and down to the words, the lower text explaining the benefits of trees.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/98517930/

Reference note

Creator(s): Dusek, Joseph, artist
Date Created/Published: Chi[cago] : Illinois WPA Art Project, [between 1936 and 1940]
Summary: Poster encouraging planting trees as a method of soil conservation.
Call Number: POS - WPA - ILL .D87, no. 3 (C size) [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Notes: Write the director, Prairie States Forestry Project, Lincoln, Nebraska. Date stamped on verso: Feb 10 1940. Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress). Posters of the WPA / Christopher DeNoon. Los Angeles : Wheatly Press, c1987, no. 2
Subjects: Trees--1930-1940. Farms--1930-1940. Soil conservation--1930-1940.

Doll & buggy parade--W.P.A recreation project, Dist. No. 2

Teaching Notes

I admire the simplicity of this poster as the parade moves from the distance (upper right) in a curved perspective toward the audience. Beautiful elegance and minimalism. There is a ragged edged yellow line bordering the scene. Is there info about date and place? Or is this an every day event? From the Recreation Department. My town still has a Parks and Recreation Dept to manage parks, playgrounds, bike trails, pools, lessons, programs, etc for residents (so we feel better about paying our local property taxes to the town!) There seems to be the artist's name included as part of the print-- Ducek? Dusek?

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/98509759/

Reference note

Creator(s): Dusek, Joseph, artist
Date Created/Published: Ill. : Federal Art Project, WPA, [1939]
Summary: Poster showing parade of girls pushing baby carriages.
Call Number: POS - WPA - ILL .D87, no. 1 (B size) [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Notes: Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress).
Subjects: Recreation--Illinois--1930-1940. Children playing with dolls--Illinois--1930-1940. Parades & processions--Illinois--1930-1940. Baby carriages--Illinois--1930-1940.

"A hero is born" A romantic musical by Theresa Holburn - based on an original story by Andrew Lang : Music by A. Lehman Engel - lyrics by Agnes Morgan / / Halls.

Teaching Notes

Although many posters concern social realism, such as jobs to apply for, this features fantasy, also a service of art, especially during the Depression and hard time: Escapism.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/item/98516014/

Reference note

Summary: Poster for Federal Theatre Project presentation of "A Hero is Born" at the Adelphi Theatre, 54th Street east of 7th Avenue, showing a man riding on a magic carpet.
Contributor Names: Halls, Richard, 1906-, artist
Lang, Andrew, 1844-1912.
Federal Theatre Project (New York, N.Y.), sponsor
Created / Published: NYC : WPA Federal Art Project, [1936 or 1937]
Subject Headings: - Theatrical productions--New York (State)--New York--1930-1940
Notes: - Date stamped on verso: Dec 8 1937.
- Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress).
- Posters of the WPA / Christopher DeNoon. Los Angeles : Wheatly Press, c1987, no. 287
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Digital Id: cph 3b49022 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b49022

Birds of the world An illustrated natural history in popular style with 100 candid photos : A New York City, W.P.A. Federal Writers' Project book : American guide series.

Teaching Notes

I love the way the typography is part of the image-- the Pelican eats the E and the toucan perches on the D. I'm trying to make my poster simple.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/item/98516155/

Reference note

Summary: Poster advertising WPA Federal Writers' Project illustrated guide to natural history of birds of the world.
Contributor Names: Federal Writers' Project, sponsor
Created / Published: N.Y.C. : WPA Federal Art Project, [between 1936 and 1939]
Subject Headings: - American guide series
- Pelicans--1930-1940
- Toucans--1930-1940
- Books--1930-1940
Notes: - Date stamped on verso: Jun 28 1939.
- Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress).
- Attributed to Sidney Jacobson.
- Posters of the WPA / Christopher DeNoon. Los Angeles : Wheatly Press, c1987, no. 257
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Digital Id: cph 3b48865 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b48865

Little Miss Muffet ... reading a picture book ...

Teaching Notes

I like this for the surprise changes -- a book instead of curds and whey, and the spider doesn't scare her --it wants to see what she is reading. I love this new twist on an old poem because it makes girls seem intelligent and compassionate instead of terrified wimps, and it changes her relationship to the natural world into a positive situation with beneficial insect-- as does my Butterfly poster.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/98510110/

Reference note

Creator(s): Gregg, Arlington, artist
Date Created/Published: Chicago : Illinois WPA Art Project, [between 1936 and 1940]
Summary: Poster promoting reading among children, showing Miss Muffet sharing her picture book with a spider.
Call Number: POS - WPA - ILL .G75, no. 4 (B size) [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Notes: Date stamped on verso: Mar 27 1940. Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress). Posters of the WPA / Christopher DeNoon. Los Angeles: Wheatly Press, c1987, no. 160
Subjects: Children--Illinois--1930-1940. Reading--Illinois--1930-1940. Nursery rhymes--1930-1940. Spiders--Illinois--1930-1940.

Posters and art processes Methods materials tools: Posters - graphic art fresco and sculpture.

Teaching Notes

This horizontal format is less common. I wonder if there is a catalogue for what was on display at this Federal Art Gallery exhibition of WPA posters and art processes? Was there an newspaper review with pix? The head of the person forms the O of the word POSTERS and the circle is half black and half gray, as is the hand holding the art tool (a recurring color motif in many posters) The arm is abstracted like a mug handle and the whole image is tipped on an angle, so the text runs upward in diagonal lines ( I can't read the details.) There are holes at each corner where thumbtacks probably held this announcement/ invitation to a wall.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/98507145/

Reference note

Creator(s): Floethe, Richard, artist
Date Created/Published: N.Y.C. : WPA Federal Art Project, 1937.
Summary: Poster for Federal Art Gallery exhibition showing abstract figure of artist.
Call Number: POS - WPA - NY .F6, no. 7 (B size) [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Notes: Date stamped on verso: Feb 9 1938. Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress). Posters of the WPA / Christopher DeNoon. Los Angeles : Wheatly Press, c1987, no. 283
Subjects: Art exhibitions--New York (State)--New York--1930-1940.

WPA Federal Music Project of New York City presents free band concerts [at the] Brooklyn Museum

Teaching Notes

Here is another example of the vertical split with two colors to catch the eye -- I may try this on my butterfly-- half yellow, half orange instead of making two. Condenses the material.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/98516715/

Reference note

Creator(s): Rothstein, Jerome Henry, 1918-, artist
Date Created/Published: N.Y.C. : Federal Art Project, [between 1936 and 1941]
Summary: Poster for New York City Federal Music Project presentation of free band concerts at the Brooklyn Museum, showing a man conducting.
Call Number: POS - WPA - NY .R68, no. 12 (B size) [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Notes: Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress). Posters of the WPA / Christopher DeNoon. Los Angeles : Wheatly Press, c1987, no. 307
Subjects: Concerts--New York (State)--New York--1930-1950.

A game crop is a community asset

Teaching Notes

This poster promotes hunting birds (pheasant, geese, ducks, grouse, and wild turkeys depicted) and rabbits, which may have been necessary for food during the Great Depression. This Conservation Dept poster promotes managing and cultivating a food source for the neighborhood, whereas my butterfly poster is about creating gardens to attract pollinators. The text at the bottom indicates that wild game was considered a crop to harvest, which goes back to the practices of Native Americans and the first settlers or they would have starved for lack of protein. Nature was the "grocery store" for catching and gathering food supplies. Today some people hunt for sport or population control rather than necessity for eating. Many fishing people practice "catch and release" for the challenging experience without killing fish, by returning them to the water. All the animals are looking at the full moon at the top left. Spiral composition.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/98516769/

Reference note

Date Created/Published: [New York : Federal Art Project, 1936 or 1937]
Summary: Poster for Bureau of Game, New York State Conservation Dept., promoting hunting of small game.
Call Number: POS - WPA - NY .W086, no. 1 (B size) [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Notes: Date stamped on verso: Apr 16 1937. Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress). Bureau of Game, N.Y. State Conservation Dept., Lithgow Osborne, Commissioner.
Subjects: Hunting--New York (State)--New York--1930-1940. Game & game birds--New York (State)--1930-1940.

Indian art of the United States Prehistoric art living traditions - Indian art for modern living : Museum of Modern Art.

Teaching Notes

This is an inviting poster that makes me want to go to see the exhibition. I like the rainbow roll gradations for the blue sky and brown earth. A white line guides us from a cloud at the top to the dates and location at the bottom the print.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/98513683/

Reference note

Date Created/Published: New York : New York City W.P.A. Art Project, [between 1936 and 1941]
Summary: Poster announcing exhibition of Native American art at the Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53 Street, New York City, showing example of Native American art.
Call Number: POS - WPA - NY .P58, no. 3 (B size) [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Notes: An exhibition prepared by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board U.S. Dept. of The Interior. Attributed to Pistchal. Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress). Posters of the WPA / Christopher DeNoon. Los Angeles : Wheatly Press, c1987, no. 77
Subjects: Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.)--Exhibitions & displays--1930-1950. Indians of North America--Arts & crafts--New York (State)--New York--1930-1950. Art exhibitions--New York (State)--New York--1930-1950.

Fresco painting "Society Freed Through Justice" near fifth floor stairway, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

Teaching Notes

This style relates to the Beton mural at the NBMA, Arts of America--ordinary people doing every day activities, including music

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/item/2010720160/

Reference note

Contributor Names: Highsmith, Carol M., 1946-, photographer
Created / Published: 2007 October.
Subject Headings: - Government facilities--District of Columbia--Washington (D.C.)--2000-2010
- Murals--District of Columbia--Washington (D.C.)--2000-2010
- United States--District of Columbia--Washington (D.C.)
Notes: - Artist: George Biddle, 1936. Dimensions: 13' 6" x 43' 2".
- Photographed as part of an assignment for the General Services Administration.
- Title information, date, and subject note provided by the photographer.
- Credit line: Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
- Gift; Carol M. Highsmith; 2009; (DLC/PP-2009:083).
- Forms part of the Carol M. Highsmith Archive.
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
Digital Id: highsm 02848 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.02848

Fresco painting "Society Freed Through Justice" near fifth floor stairway, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

Teaching Notes

These portraits of family rural life remind me of medieval pictures of the Holy family and bible stories.The working people are sacred.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/item/2010720161/

Reference note

Contributor Names: Highsmith, Carol M., 1946-, photographer
Created / Published: 2007 October.
Subject Headings: - Government facilities--District of Columbia--Washington (D.C.)--2000-2010
- Murals--District of Columbia--Washington (D.C.)--2000-2010
- United States--District of Columbia--Washington (D.C.)
Notes: - Artist: George Biddle, 1936. Dimensions: 13' 6" x 43' 2".
- Photographed as part of an assignment for the General Services Administration.
- Title information, date, and subject note provided by the photographer.
- Credit line: Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
- Gift; Carol M. Highsmith; 2009; (DLC/PP-2009:083).
- Forms part of the Carol M. Highsmith Archive.
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
Digital Id: highsm 02849 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.02849

Fresco painting "Society Freed Through Justice" near fifth floor stairway, Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

Teaching Notes

This rounded barn scene could be compared to STuert Curry's horses.

Reference link: http://www.loc.gov/resource/highsm.02846/?r=0.121,0.829,0.328,0.158,0

Reference note

Contributor Names: Highsmith, Carol M., 1946-, photographer
Created / Published: 2007 October.
Subject Headings: - Government facilities--District of Columbia--Washington (D.C.)--2000-2010
- Murals--District of Columbia--Washington (D.C.)--2000-2010
- United States--District of Columbia--Washington (D.C.)
Notes: - Artist: George Biddle, 1936. Dimensions: 13' 6" x 43' 2".
- Photographed as part of an assignment for the General Services Administration.
- Title information, date, and subject note provided by the photographer.
- Credit line: Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
- Gift; Carol M. Highsmith; 2009; (DLC/PP-2009:083).
- Forms part of the Carol M. Highsmith Archive.
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print
Digital Id: highsm 02846 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.02846