In the 1930s the Works Progress Administration and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration put artists to work in the Florida Keys. Murals, bas reliefs, watercolors and prints from that decade are still here, in libraries and courthouses and bars and museums, most of them free to walk in and see.
The Council mapped 16 of them for a printed brochure, researched by Malcolm Ross. This is that list, with 14 of the sites now placed on the map on the Art in Public Places page. The numbers are the Council's own and have not been changed.
-
Murray E. Nelson Government and Cultural Center
Mile Marker 102, Key Largo
Second floor hall contains five bas reliefs by Joan van Breeman.
-
Hurricane Monument
Mile Marker 82, Islamorada
Designed by Harold Lawson and executed by Lampbert Bemelmann, and constructed with WPA funds as a memorial to victims of the 1935 Labor Day hurricane.
-
Monroe County Public Library
Mile Marker 82, Islamorada Branch.
Originally built by the WPA as a school and hurricane shelter in 1936. It contains six bas reliefs by Joan van Breeman.
-
"Hurricane" or "Red Cross" Houses
State Road 4A, Islamorada
Twenty-three houses originally constructed with WPA and Red Cross funds for victims who lost homes in the 1935 hurricane.
Twenty-three separate houses spread along the old State Road 4A, not one address, so this is listed rather than pinned.
-
Library
Florida Keys Community College, 2nd Floor, Building A, Key West
"Portable" mural by Erik Johan Smith. Originally installed in the 3.2 Cafe, Duval and Petronia Streets, Key West.
Since then: The college is now the College of the Florida Keys. The archive text predates the 2024 renaming.
-
Harvey Government Center
White Street and Truman Avenue, Key West
Two bas reliefs by Joan van Breeman.
-
Glynn Archer Elementary School
1302 White Street, Key West
Originally Key West High School. Contains William Hoffman murals depicting discovery of Key West by Spanish explorers, and the building of the Overseas Railroad. (Limited access. Please stop in office before viewing.)
Since then: The building is now Key West City Hall. It was Glynn Archer Elementary when the Council wrote this, and the murals stayed through the conversion.
-
Lighthouse Museum
Whitehead Street and Truman Avenue, Key West
FERA artifacts and prints by Erik Smith and Stanley Wood.
-
Lester Building
530 Whitehead Street, Key West
Commissioner McCoy's office. Three watercolors by Walton Blodgett.
-
Spottswood, Spottswood & Spottswood
500 Fleming Street, 2nd. Floor, Key West
Large painting by Adrian Dornbush, and a later painting by William Hoffman. (Please call ahead in order to view. Phone 294-9556.)
Since then: A working law office. The archive asked visitors to call ahead; we have not republished the phone number. Contact the firm directly.
No street-number match we could verify, so this is listed rather than pinned.
-
Heritage House Museum
410 Caroline Street, Key West
Watercolors and prints by Alfred Crimi, F. Townsend Morgan, Stanley Wood, and Martha Sauer, and FERA artifacts.
-
Gallery on Greene
606 Greene Street, Key West
Showcasing current, as well as early, works by former FERA artist Henry La Cagnina.
Since then: A commercial gallery. Check its opening hours before visiting.
-
Sloppy Joe's Bar
201 Duval Street, Key West
Reproduction of painting by Erik Smith; original in the collection of the Key West Art & Historical Society.
-
Key West Aquarium
2 Whitehead Street, Key West
Begun with Civil Works Administration funds and completed in 1935 with FERA funds. Contains reproductions os some original frescoes by FERA artist Alfred Crimi.
-
Key West Art Center
301 Front Street, Key West
One of 66 community art centers administered by the WPA throughout the U.S., where art classes were taught and gallery space provided.
-
Sculpture Garden
Mallory Square, Key West
Bust of Julius Stone, FERA administrator and creator of the Key West Art Project.
Several of these sites are working offices, private businesses or schools. Check opening hours, and ask at the desk before looking around. Artist biographies are on the WPA Biographies page.