Art for the People: The Rediscovery and Preservation of Progressive and WPA-Era Murals in the Chicago Public Schools, 1904-1943Rediscovered a few years ago in woeful disrepair by a dedicated high school teacher, the murals of Chicagos public schools had long been painted over, torn down, forgotten. Dating back almost a century, these extraordinary murals, painted by celebrated artists such as Edgar Britton, Mitchell Siporin, Lucille Ward, and Edward Millman, were created during the Progressive (1904-1933) and New Deal (1933-1943) eras. Art for the People tells the inspiring story of their preservation: a project that brought conservators, historians, politicians, educators, and students together in a united cause, and that brought nearly 450 murals to light across nearly 70 schools-making this the largest mural preservation project in the U.S. as well as the largest concentration of historical murals in the country. Hundreds of color photos capture the dazzling array of murals and the restoration process. A complete reference and a finely produced record of a neglected treasure, Art for the People is a dramatic demonstration of the power of human hands working together not just to create art, but also to save it. |
Contents
Foreword by Gery J Chico | 1 |
An Art Form for the People by Francis V OConnor | 9 |
Chicago Discovers Its Museum of Walls | 17 |
Copyright | |
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Other editions - View all
Art for the People: The Rediscovery and Preservation of Progressive and WPA ... Heather Becker No preview available - 2002 |
Art for the People: The Rediscovery and Preservation of Progressive and WPA ... Heather Becker No preview available - 2002 |
Common terms and phrases
1995 the murals Abraham Lincoln adhered to wall Administration ARCHITECT areas Art Institute building canvas adhered canvas Date Carl Von Linné Century of Progress Chicago Conservation Center Chicago Public Schools composition CONDITION In 1995 Conservation Center restored conservation solvents CREATED WPA/FAP cultural date unknown Edward Millman Elementary School ADDRESS Extant Location Federal Art Project fresco Gallery heavy film Illinois Art Project Institute of Chicago landscape Lane Technical High Library Lincoln LOCATION Auditorium CONDITION Lucile Ward lunette McBurney MEDIUM Oil Miklos Gaspar Mural Preservation Project muralists murals were coated Museum NAMESAKE Native American Oil on canvas panel depicts Park Post Office Progress Administration Progressive Era restored MURAL DESCRIPTIONS restored the murals retouched Roosevelt scene Schurz High School sculpture Section signed lower right social Street Chicago teachers Technical High School tion Unknown Date Unknown Location Unknown Medium Unknown Program wall DATE Washington WPA/FAP murals York