Between 1935 and 1943, the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration crafted an impressive array of over two million posters, showcasing 35,000 distinct designs. These artistic creations aimed to captivate the public's imagination, promoting various aspects of education, theater, health, safety, and travel. Within this initiative, WPA artists ingeniously fashioned 14 designs representing national park units. While a mere 1400 WPA national park posters were initially produced, only 40 of these original pieces endure today. This preservation owes much to the dedicated efforts of then-ranger Doug Leen, who passionately pursued any remaining national park posters.
The revival of the distinctive WPA style garnered immediate popularity, prompting numerous National Parks to enlist Ranger Doug for the continuation of this series. The result? Contemporary designs seamlessly embodying the spirit of the original WPA pieces. In the present day, there exists only one authentic source for these WPA-inspired artworks, and WNPA takes pride in offering these designs for several of our partner parks.
This poster pays homage to the iconic "See America" project commissioned by the US Travel Bureau. Despite being a WPA design, it was not initially part of the WPA national park poster set produced in Berkeley, California. However, fate intervened when the Department of the Interior absorbed the Travel Bureau, making this design accessible to the National Park Service. Our WPA-style posters, including this one, are meticulously crafted through serigraphy—a technique that uses stencils to transfer ink onto paper. Infuse your decor with a touch of nostalgia and the timeless charm of America's southwestern wonders. Embrace the spirit of the WPA era with this uniquely crafted serigraph poster.
- Official park poster approved by the National Park Service for Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- High quality hand screened serigraph poster
- Size: 13 1/2" x 18"
- Made in the United States
