Posters for the People: Art of the WPA by Ennis Carter

Celebrating 90 Years of Art for the People 2026 will mark the 90th anniversary of the WPA Poster Division of the Federal Art Project — one of the most remarkable efforts in our country’s history that gave artists jobs that worked for the public good. These posters weren’t just eye-catching, they were public service tools that promoted everything from public health and safety to education, national parks, the arts — and even hope — during some of the hardest times in the U.S. Posters for the People: Art of the WPA, led by curator and author Ennis Carter, has spent two decades recovering, preserving, and sharing these powerful works—many of which were nearly lost to history. *** In celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the WPA Poster Division and the promotion of American craft, Peters Valley School of Craft is bringing the Posters for the People: Art of the WPA exhibit to its Gallery Sept 19 – Oct 25, 2026. Posters for the People: Art of the WPA will feature original posters made by Federal Art Project artists between 1936-1943 along with archival reproductions of posters that are no longer thought to exist in print – showcasing the power of public art to serve the common good. The exhibit at Peters Valley will also present the history of the creation and support of community-based craft schools across the U.S. after the Great Depression during the New Deal as a form of cultural engagement, artistic expression, and skill building for a largely out-of-work population getting back on its feet. Included in this exhibit is a highlight of the “Index of American Design” – an effort during the New Deal in the U.S. to document uniquely American forms of traditional design work and decorative arts. Programming to complement this exhibit will include:

Hands-On Screenprinting Workshops and Demonstrations “Fireside Chat” Curator Talk with Ennis Carter

This exhibit is part of Peters Valley’s participation in “Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026” with Craft in America.