Mon Nov 1, 7:00 pm

After a brief introduction to the WPA and other federal art programs,
this slide presentation focuses on extant New Deal art in Nassau and
Suffolk counties.

Although a few of the murals have been lost, some fifty murals and sculptures survive in post offices, schools, and
government buildings.

Some murals are generic scenes, but most portray local history, with Native Americans, George Washington, and Theodore Roosevelt the most popular subjects.

Several of the artists became quite well known, including Jon Corbino, William Gropper, and Sol Wilson. Others who lived on Long Island had local reputations. Paul Cadmus and James Brooks won commissions for local murals, but had their proposals rejected. Corbino was angry when officials insisted he clothe a nude figure in his seashore scene for the Long Beach post office.

The historic fiction in murals is analyzed from an historical
perspective to aid in the understanding of this legacy depicting our
heritage.