Forgotten Histories of New Deal Art in Florida

As one of the largest and oldest states in the American South, Florida, the Sunshine State, is a powerhouse of industry, leisure, entertainment and politics in the twenty first century. It is also crucial for understanding the diverse history of New Deal art and public works. This webinar describes how New Deal emergency relief and recovery programs impacted Florida, particularly programs that funded the construction of public space and public access to art.

Co-hosted by Dr. Mary Okin, Living New Deal’s Associate Director and head of the Advocating for New Deal Art initiative, and Jeff Gold, Member of LND’s New York City Chapter, the webinar features Dr. Mary Ann Calo and Dr. Keri Watson in conversation with one another about their research into Florida’s New Deal history. The talks will center on confronting the complex legacies of New Deal public works and public art programs in Florida in the twenty-first century, and the challenges of researching this era of Floridian history, as both scholars reconstruct the regional diversity, range of local participants, and just how many of Florida’s New Deal projects survive.