CONTENT WARNING
Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; and gender and sexual orientation.
Context
In the 1930s, the Virginia State Commission on Conservation and Development’s Division of History and Archaeology received funds from the Works Progress Administration’s (later known as the Works Project Administration) Federal Art Project to commission five artists to create drawings for a publication on historic Virginia buildings. The artists applied for work through local emergency relief offices and were later assigned to the Federal Art Project. The Federal Art Project operated from 1935- 1943, although some projects began as early as 1932. It employed artists, who were receiving public assistance, to create art for educational, community service, and research projects. Artists employed in the program created murals, paintings, sculpture, posters, graphics, museum exhibits, scenic art for theatre productions, and documentation for the Index of American Design.
Under the direction of Hamilton J. Eckenrode, the commission’s Division of History and Archaeology began making a record of historic buildings in Virginia in 1932. Field assistant (and artist) Rex M. Allyn took photographs of buildings while on assignment to the Division’s Historic Highway Marker project. From 1932 to 1937, Allyn and four other artists—Edward A. Darby, Dorothea A. Farrington, E. Neville Harnsberger, and Elsie J. Mistie— created numerous pen-and-ink and pencil drawings from the photographs. In some cases, the artists were asked to adjust the architectural details to produce a drawing that more closely represented the original structure.
Standards
Suggested Questions
Preview Activity
Take a Look: Look at the image, what do you notice about it? What does the image suggest about the time in which it was created?
Post Activities
Up for Debate: The purpose of the Federal Art Project was to employ artists who were struggling to find work. List three benefits of the program and three reasons why some people may have objected to this program. Based on your understanding, which side would you support? Why?
Artistic Exploration: Look closely at the drawing of Shellfield. To what extent do you think it is an accurate and detailed representation of the structure? Be specific in your answer.