New Deal Art Gallery

by Betsy Harris –
Autumn Road, an Oil painting (30 x 24) by Samuel Jacoby, a WPA Federal Art Project artist participant.

Did you know that Livingston County, NY holds one of the largest collections of 1930s artwork?

The Genesee Valley Council on the Arts houses over 200 works of art from the Great Depression that were commissioned by  by President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration for the Federal Art Project (FAP). The FAP allowed artists to continue to practice their craft during the Great Depression and supported a community of committed American artists. Many notable mid-20th century artists received support through the FAP such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Willem Dekooning.

The site of the New Deal Gallery, on Murray Hill in Mount Morris, NY was originally constructed as a tuberculosis sanatorium. The complex was the recipient of a collection of over 200 easel paintings. It also received eight animal sculptures to adorn the campus grounds. In addition, five murals were allotted to the children’s hospital. The sanatorium opened in 1936 and operated until 1971.

Preaching to the Birds, a wood engraving by American artist Fritz Eichenberg (1901-1990) made during his time with the WPA Federal Art Project (1935-36) – images provided by NDG

In 1972 Livingston County paid the State of New York $1 to purchase the sanatorium. When the county acquired the sanatorium, many of the paintings were removed and stored when the campus was converted into offices for the county. They were rediscovered and displayed at the millennium celebration, then stored until 2008, when the county and Genesee Valley Council on theArts opened the New Deal Gallery in the historic Building 4. By arrangement with the General Services Administration, and under the auspices of the Livingston County government, these paintings are now properly cared for.

          The artwork is showcased in the New Deal Gallery on a rotating basis. Most works require restoration. You can browse the New Deal Virtual Gallery of the entire Livingston County WPA Art Collection, or contribute to restoration efforts through the Paula Henry Restoration Fund. Please visit our website, newdeal.livingstonarts.org for more information and visit us on Murray Hill Tuesday-Friday 11am-4pm and Saturday 11am-3pm at 4 Murray Hill Drive, Mount Morris NY 14510.

Posted on January 26, 2018 by . This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.