USU Eastern Presents “America in the 30s” at Gallery East

Press Release

USU Eastern presents “America in the 30s: Prints from the Federal Art Project,” part of Utah Arts & Museums’ Traveling Exhibition Program, on display from September 2 through October 2 at Gallery East.

The prints selected for this exhibit are by artists associated with the California division of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was created in 1935 to provide employment, encouragement, and, in part, support for American artists during the Great Depression. A major success of the program was in bringing the language of arts to remote areas of the United States.

The project is also credited with initiating graphic arts workshops and commissions for printmakers throughout the nation and sponsoring the production of some 95,000 prints. This printmaking initiative made it possible for artists to produce high-quality multiple versions of their originals. Much of the work produced was democratic in nature and in theme, consistent with the Federal Art Project goals.

This exhibition of prints by California artists includes strong images that help the contemporary viewer understand day-to-day life during the Great Depression in the western United States. Among the pieces are examples of both lithography and wood engraving techniques.

An opening reception for the exhibit is on Friday, Sept. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. in USU Eastern’s Gallery East, located on the northwest corner of the SAC Building. The exhibit is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment through October 2. The gallery is closed on weekends and holidays. Attendance to the gallery is free and open to the public.

Any questions about the exhibit should be directed to Noel Carmack at (435) 613-5241 or by email atnoel.carmack@usu.edu.

About Utah Arts & Museums and the Traveling Exhibit Program

Utah Arts & Museums’ Traveling Exhibit Program is a statewide outreach program that provides schools, museums, libraries and community galleries with the opportunity to bring curated exhibitions to their community. This program is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information on participating in the program, please contact Fletcher Booth at fbooth@utah.gov or call (801) 824-9177. For media inquiries, please contact Alyssa Hickman Grove at agrove@utah.gov or call (801) 236-7548.

Utah Arts & Museums is a division of the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts (DHA). To enrich the quality of life for the people of Utah, DHA creates, preserves and promotes heritage and arts. The division provides funding, education and technical services to individuals and organizations statewide so that all Utahns, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or economic status, can access, understand and receive the benefits of arts and culture. Additional information on the programs and services can be found at artsandmuseums.utah.gov or by calling (801) 236-7555.