“As old as creation: Syphilis is now curable” (1937), silkscreen, for the New York WPA Federal Art Project

“John is not really dull – he may only need his eyes examined” (1937), silkscreen, for the New York WPA Federal Art Project

By now, you’re probably asking yourself ‘What on Earth are these?!’. Well back in the 30s and 40s, the US launched a program called the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in an attempt to provide more jobs for people. So they asked anyone with an artistic inclination to contribute to a series of public service announcement posters, as you see above (and below).

They were largely based on Bauhaus traditions, the art school in Germany that combined crafts and the fine arts and was famous for the approach to design that it publicized and taught. The shapes are basic and the design is minimalistic, but each artist put his or her own style into each poster.

“Keep your fire escapes clear” (1937), silkscreen, for the Tenement House Department of the City of New York

Robert Lachenmann, “Don’t mix ’em” (1937), lithograph, for the Pennsylvania WPA Federal Art Project

Recently, a committee was formed to try and recover some of these posters. The WPA Recovery Program was created in 2001 to try and locate original copies of the 2000 posters made. They are noteworthy for both their artistic and historical value, and they open a pretty neat window in the past.

“In March read the books you’ve always meant to read” (1941), silkscreen, for the Illinois Library Project

“The Drama of the Heavens: Adler Planetarium” (1939), silkscreen, for the Chicago WPA Federal Art Project

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