New Mexico Art Tells its History

The Depression and the WPA Art

A major decline in southwestern tourism began in 1929 after the stock market crashed, and sparked a worldwide depression. Artists working in New Mexico had a difficult time as the boom-and-bust tourist cycle again went bust. The federal government, along with private groups, lessened the adverse effects of the Great Depression by providing economic opportunities for artists and by subsidizing regional art traditions.

Related Art

Click onto any thumbnail below and you will be redirected to a page where you will see a full image of the artwork and a short biography of the artist.

The Voice of the Earth (The Basket Dance)Sorting beans, Juan Lopez and son, Trampas, NMHobbs, NM - LeeThe Garden of EdenExpulsion from the Garden of EdenThe Black ShawlNavajo Woman with Children at a HoganApache Devil Dancer - HouserApache Devil Dancer - CandelarioIndian Pueblo

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