Post Office Art in Utah

Post Office Art in Utah

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My first experience with Post Office art happened in 2016 when I was exploring Helper, Utah, a historic mining town and transportation center in central Utah. From reading about the Great Depression I was aware that as part of The New Deal the federal government provided contractual work for artists along with its building programs. As the WPA began building new post offices around the country it awarded contracts to local artists to supply artwork that reflected the history of the region.

USPS Helper, UT

This public art provided, and continues to provide a sense of local pride in the communities where it exists and reflects the feeling of national pride these New Deal projects supported.

Western Town Jenne Magafan, 1941, oil on canvas,

Post Office interior Helper, UT

This painting in Beaver, Utah depicts mining, ranching, and Native Americans, reflecting the history of Central Utah.

USPS Beaver, UT

Life on the Plains 1943, John Beauchamp, oil on canvas, Beaver, Utah

There is one additional mural in Utah. It is Scenes of Early Provo by Edward Thorpe, 1942. Unfortunately the Post Office building where it is on display has been converted to a Social Security Office and the guard on duty would not let me photograph it although it can be viewed in the lobby. Maybe I can get a shot later when a more cooperative guard is on duty.

Old Post Office in Provo, UT

I have spent the last several years traveling around the American west, exploring historic trails which I have documented in my blog travelingoldtrails.blogspot.com During my journeys I have sought out Post Office lobby art in six other states and I will continue to add to this collection as I travel around the country. I hope you find this interesting and I would appreciate your comments.