The Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) was the first federal art program of the New Deal, active from late 1933 to 1934. It employed artists across the United States to create paintings, murals, and drawings that reflected American life during the Great Depression. Many figures later associated with American Regionalism and the American Scene participated in PWAP.
Selected PWAP‑Associated Artists
Benton, Thomas Hart
Regionalist painter; participated in early New Deal projects and helped define the visual language of American public art.
Regionalist painter; participated in early New Deal projects and helped define the visual language of American public art.
Wood, Grant
Iowa Regionalist; served as a regional supervisor and advocate for locally grounded public art.
Iowa Regionalist; served as a regional supervisor and advocate for locally grounded public art.
Curry, John Steuart
Kansas Regionalist; contributed to early New Deal mural efforts and shaped public expectations of American Scene painting.
Kansas Regionalist; contributed to early New Deal mural efforts and shaped public expectations of American Scene painting.
Bishop, Isabel
Urban realist painter whose PWAP‑era work focused on everyday life in New York.
Urban realist painter whose PWAP‑era work focused on everyday life in New York.
Marsh, Reginald
American Scene painter; PWAP projects captured crowded city streets and working‑class leisure.
American Scene painter; PWAP projects captured crowded city streets and working‑class leisure.
Robinson, Boardman
Influential muralist and teacher; active in early New Deal art initiatives including PWAP.
Influential muralist and teacher; active in early New Deal art initiatives including PWAP.
Adams, Wayman
Portraitist associated with early New Deal commissions and public portrait projects.
Portraitist associated with early New Deal commissions and public portrait projects.
This list is not exhaustive. It highlights artists whose PWAP involvement intersects with American Regionalism, the American Scene, or New Deal public art. As research continues, additional names, locations, and project details will be added.