New Deal/WPA Art in Clarkston,Washington


Post Office New Deal Artwork

Most of the post office works of art were funded under the Treasury Department's Section commissions. Those works that were created using TRAP funds are so indicated. Although the WPA funded the construction of post office buildings, the artwork was not WPA but was usually produced under the Section or TRAP programs. Unless indicated, these works of art are located in the US Post Office building.

Clarkston, WA Post Office
"Lewis and Clark" - wood relief
by Donlon P. McGovern (1940)

The installation was delayed until sometime in the mid-sixties when the artist and his wife (Mr. and Mrs. Donlon P. McGovern) visited. It sat in its crate down in the basement for over twenty five years without anyone knowing it was there other than the postmaster who was there at the time of the original commission.

Photograph and information from Donlon G. McGovern, son of the artist.

Biography of the artist

Source:
Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal
by Marlene Park & Gerald E. Markowitz


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