WPA Posters

RUR at Marionette Theatre

A Works Project Adminstration poster for the Federal Theatre Project presentation of "RUR" at the Marionette Theatre in New York, directed by Remo Bufano. The art work was created by Charles Verschuuren between 1936 and 1939.

Wee Willie Winkie

Created by the Illinois WPA Art Project to promote the use of libraries by children, this poster shows a child in pajamas running through town at night: "Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town, upstairs and downstairs in his nightgown; rapping all the windows and, searching all the nooks to count the many children reading library books." The poster was illustrated by Cleo Sara, c. 1940.

Work Promotes Confidence

A poster for the Works Progress Administration encouraging laborers to build confidence through work: "Work promotes confidence." c. 1936.

Funny Side Up

This poster promoting reading and showing a boy's smiling face and an open book was created between 1936 and 1939 in Illinois by artist Albert M. Bender for the WPA Federal Art Project.

Only God Can Make a Tree

This is another 1938 Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project poster encouraging the conservation of trees as a natural resource: "Only God Can Make a Tree."

Spare Our Trees

This 1938 Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project poster by artist Stanley Thomas Clough encourages the conservation of trees as a natural resource.

Five and Ten

A Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project poster from 1941 extolling the benefits of retail commerce.

Low Rent Homes

A cheery WPA Art Project poster from 1940 for the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority.

WPA Exhibition

A poster for the Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project exhibition at the Federal Art Gallery, 77 Newbury Street, Boston, Mass., 1939.

The Path of Flowers

A poster advertising a Works Progress Administration Federal Theater Project production of "The Path of Flowers" at the Experimental Theater (Dalys') at 63rd St., east of Broadway in New York City. The play is billed as "a new farce-comedy by Valentine Katayev." The poster was produced between 1936 and 1941.

Little Miss Muffet

Little Miss Muffet shares her book with a spider in this WPA poster promoting reading. The poster was created for the Illinois WPA Art Project by Arlington Gregg between 1936 and 1940.

East Side, West Side

This poster promotes a Federal Art Project Photography Division exhibition in New York City: "East side, West side. Exhibition of photographs." Illustrated by Anthony Velonis for the WPA Federal Art Project in NYC, 1938.

Doll and Buggy Parade

A poster for a 1939 WPA recreation project Doll and Buggy Parade in Chicago. The poster was created by the WPA Federal Art Project.

Foreign Trade Zone

This WPA poster for the City of New York Department of Docks shows five ocean liners and brags about the "United States' first foreign trade zone. Staten Island, City of New York, opened February 1, 1937." The poster was illustrated by Jack Rivolta for the New York City WPA Federal Art Project in 1937.

6 + 8 Penguins

This WPA Federal Art Project poster created between 1936 and 1941 shows two columns of penguins and was used in New York to promote education and civic activity.

Enjoy. Don't Destroy

A poster showing two very bad children picking flowers: "Enjoy. Don't destroy." Created in 1936 or 1937 as part of the Ohio WPA Federal Art Project.

Soap Box Derby

A poster created by the WPA Federal Art Project in 1939 advertises the Du Page County Soap Box Derby in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Signed by "Beard."

This is the Market

The glories of the wholesale food market: "This is the market where the storekeeper buys the food and brings it to his store near your house." This WPA Federal Art Project poster was created in New York in 1936 or 1937.

Work Pays America! Prosperity

A poster for the Works Progress Administration encouraging laborers to work for America: "Work pays America! Prosperity." Designed in New York as part of the WPA Federal Art Project between 1936 and 1941.

The Job of Being a Parent

Meet the working stiffs. Created between 1936 and 1939, this poster by the WPA Federal Art Project in Illinois promotes the 9-to-5 of child rearing: "The Job of Being a Parent."

Father & Son Banquet

This poster was created by the WPA Federal Art Project to market a Father & Son Banquet, sponsored by the Chicago Urban League, at the Savoy Ballroom. The poster was illustrated by Chicago artist Albert M. Bender in 1939.

Port of Philadelphia

A poster promoting Philadelphia shows railroad freight cars at the Port of Philadelphia. Created in 1936 as part of the WPA Federal Art Project in Pennsylvania.

Port of Philadelphia 2

From the WPA Federal Art Project in Pennsylvania: Port of Philadelphia. Color woodblock by Robert Muchley, circa 1936.

Jobs For Girls & Women

This poster by artist Albert M. Bender for the Illinois WPA Art Project was used to promote domestic employment for women: "Jobs for girls & women. If you want a good job in household employment apply at - or write to Illinois State Employment Service." The illustration was created between 1936 and 1941.

Art Classes for Children

This poster by Albert M. Bender shows a boy and a girl painting: "Art Classes for Children." Bender illustrated the poster as part of the WPA Art Project in Chicago Illinois, 1940.

Independence Day

A poster for the 1939 July 4th celebration at the DuPage County Centennial in Downers Grove, Illinois. Created for the WPA Federal Art Project in Illinois.

Please Keep the Park Clean

A poster from the WPA Federal Art Project in Ohio encouraging conservation of parks: "Please Keep the Park Clean." Illustrated by Stanley Thomas Clough, 1938.

100 Water Colors

"100 water colors by easel artists of the New York City WPA Art Project." This poster announces the exhibition of watercolors at the Windsor Tower Grey Room, 1940.

Junior Prom

A poster for the theatrical presentation of "Junior Prom" at Oceanside High School, featuring the Rhythm Kings: "Class of '40 presents "Junior Prom." Oceanside High School gymnasium. Rhythm Kings Orchestra." The poster was created in 1939 in New York as part of the WPA Federal Art Project.

Octobers "Bright Blue Weather"

A circa 1940 Illinois WPA Art Project poster promoting literacy: "October's 'Bright Blue Weather.' A Good Time to Read!"

This is the Storekeeper

This WPA Federal Art Project poster was created New York in 1937 to educate children about retail food markets, merchants and healthy eating: "This is the storekeeper. He sells the things that are good for you to eat. He must keep the food clean."

Plains Farms Need Trees

This Illinois WPA Art Project conservation poster was created by artist Joseph Dusek between 1936 and 1940: "Plains farms need trees. Trees prevent wind erosion, save moisture ... protect crops, contribute to human comfort and happiness."

Pet Show

A champion dog is shown flanked by two cats in this 1937 WPA poster illustrated by Arlington Gregg as part of the Federal Art Project. The Federal Art Project produced more than 200,000 separate pieces of public art, including posters, murals and paintings.

Be Kind to Books Club

"Are you a member?" The Be Kind to Books Club is looking for new recruits. This WPA poster showing a group of children marching with a book club sign was illustrated before 1940 by artist Arlington Gregg for the WPA Illinois Art Project.

Flag Day Poster

Created for the WPA Federal Art Project in Chicago in 1939, this poster celebrates Elmhurst Flag Day as part of the Du Page County centennial celebrations.

Back to work, back to books

This poster was created for the Illinois Statewide Library Project. It shows a boy holding a book in his raised hand: "September. Back to work. Back to school. Back to books." Illustrated between 1936 and 1940 by the WPA Art Project in Chicago.

Little Red Riding Hood Poster

Titled "Once Upon a Time," this poster by illustrator Kenneth Whitley shows Little Red Riding Hood and a wolf. The poster was produced by the WPA Federal Art Project and published circa 1939.

Index of American Design

This poster was created for the WPA Federal Art Project exhibition of drawings from the Index of American Design. It shows a weather vane in the shape of a Native American. The poster was produced by the WPA Federal Art Project and published circa 1938.

Gay 90's Art Ball

This WPA poster advertises the "Gay 90's Art Ball" staged by Nick John Matsoukas at the Bartlett Gym and sponsored by the Hyde Park Golden Jubilee Committee. From the Illinois Federal Art Project, WPA, 1939.

International Exhibition of Water Colors

This poster created by the WPA Federal Art Project in Illinois was used for an exhibit of watercolors at the Art Institute of Chicago. Illustrated by Arlington Gregg, 1939.

Protect Your Parks

This poster created by the WPA Federal Art Project in Ohio was used to promote park conservation. Illustrated by Stanley Thomas Clough, 1938.

Certain People of Importance

This poster created by artist Kenneth Whitley for the WPA Federal Art Project in Illinois, circa 1939. It shows a head covered with a laurel wreath and reads, "Certain People of Importance."

Live Here at Low Rent

This 1940 WPA poster for the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority promotes low income housing: "Live here at low rent - Lakeview Terrace, 1340 West 28th St. at Main Avenue bridge." Illustrated by Stanley Thomas Cough.

These Books Are Too Good To Miss

This poster was created in Chicago for the Illinois WPA Art Project, circa 1940, to promote reading. It shows a doctor, a lawyer, a merchant and a Native American in headdress and reads: "Doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief agree . . . these books are too good to miss!"

WPA Paintings by Children

This poster was created by the New York Federal Art Project, between 1936 and 1941. The poster was used for a Federal Art Project exhibition of childrens' paintings. The poster reads, "WPA paintings by children under Federal Art Project, New York."

A Road to Future Success

This poster was created by the Federal Art Project in Columbus, Ohio in 1938. The poster was used to announce free adult education classes and encouraging adults to take classes: "A road to future success - learning. Free. Enroll: Federal adult schools. Many courses. Many places. Informal teaching."

The United States Maritime Service

This WPA poster was created by the Federal Art Project in New York City, c. 1936, for the United States Maritime Service offering training courses to members of the American Merchant Marine: "The United States Maritime Service offers practical training courses for licensed and unlicensed men of the American Merchant Marine. For information apply to U.S. Maritime Service, Washington, D.C., U.S. Coast Guard, Collector of Customs, Seamen's Organizations."

Occupations Related to Industrial Arts

This WPA poster promotes occupations in the industrial arts: Carpenter, machine shop worker, molder, painter, paint sprayer and sheet metal worker. Illustrated by Blanche L. Anish for the WPA Art Project in Ohio, 1936.

Wood Sculpture

This WPA poster was used to announce a graphic arts and wood sculpture exhibition at the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Gallery in Springfield, Mass. Produced as part of the WPA Federal Art Project in 1936 or 1937.

Card Party and Barter

This WPA Federal Art Project poster was created in New York in 1939: "Card Party & Barter. Benefit Nassau Art Teachers Scholarship Fund. Coca Cola Plant, Rockville Centre."

Birds of the World

This New York City WPA Federal Art Project poster was created for the book Birds of the World, c. 1936. "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."

Art Classes for Children

This WPA Federal Art Project poster was created in Chicago in 1940: "Art classes for children."

Amateur Contest

This WPA Federal Art Project poster was illustrated in Illinois by Arlington Gregg, c. 1936. "Amateur contest, July 23rd - Du Page County Centennial. Warrenville."

Pet Show (Puppies)

From the WPA Federal Art Project in Illinois: Pet Show -- WPA recreation project, Dist. No. 2. Circa 1939.

The World Wants New Knowledge - New Skills

From the WPA Federal Art Project in Ohio, 1937. "The World Wants New Knowledge - New Skills. Enroll: Federal Adult Schools. Many Courses - Many Places - Informal Teaching."

WPA Memorial Day

From the WPA Federal Art Project in New York: Memorial Day -- May 30th. Circa 1936.

Free Band Concerts

From the WPA Federal Art Project in New York a poster for New York City Federal Music Project presentation of free band concerts at the Brooklyn Museum. Illustrated by Jerome Henry Rothstein, c. 1936.