Exhibition of Arts by the Public Works of Art Project: Corcoran Exhibit

Select works of PWAP artists were exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in 1934. The exhibit received a lot of public attention, “It is the most significant thing in Washington” is a comment Eleanor Roosevelt recollected overhearing. The Roosevelts themselves attended the exhibit and it received lots of press. Generally the exhibit was received well, pieces were purchased by congressmen as well as a few select pieces by Eleanor Roosevelt. The New Yorker wrote a glowing review of the exhibit excited to see the return of art appreciation, prominent art critics were also impressed by the exhibit. Inevitably some critics were not pleased with the selection of works displayed, the Daily Worker reported “Roosevelt Likes Art the Glosses Over Crisis”.