Exhibits at the Norwalk Historical Society Museum

New Deal, New Day: WPA Artists at Work & Play

Curated by Valerie A. Cooper   •   Exhibit Design by Scott Kuykendall

The is the first exhibit featured in the Norwalk Historical Society Museum’s WPA Exhibition Room.  The artwork on display highlights Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal program and exemplifies the optimistic feeling of a “New Day”in the careers of the WPA artists who participated in the eight-year national work relief program, created in 1935.

The exhibit features a range of local, regional and national artwork created for the WPA-funded Federal Art Project. In addition, there are vintage photographs, original ceramic vessels, and the WPA mural “Steamboat Days on the Mississippi,” which was relocated from Norwalk City Hall.

Self Portrait, 1936 | Alexander Rummler, 1867-1969 | Mural, oil on canvas, 3'8" x 6'4" | Norwalk City Hall

Valerie A. Cooper founded Picture That Art Consultants in 2002, after a 15-year Wall Street career in Risk Management with Goldman Sachs. as Vice President of Risk Technology.  Valerie’s Stamford, CT-based art consulting firm supplies framed artwork, photography and sculpture to provide the “finishing touch” for facilities. The firm also offers art advisory, collection management, curatorial and appraisal services.

Valerie holds a BS degree from Morgan State University; an MBA degree from Columbia University; a Fine Arts Appraisal Studies Certificate from New York University; and an Executive Entrepreneur Certificate from Tuck School of Business-Dartmouth College.  A native of Stamford, Valerie recently served on the Board of Norwalk Community College Foundation and is currently an Adjunct Professor for the college in the Humanities Department.  She is a member of the Arts Committee of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation; Arts and Culture Commission of Stamford, CT; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Links, Incorporated.  Since 2004, her firm has volunteered with the Stamford Center for the Arts to sponsor art and literary exhibitions for Stamford Public Schools.

The Norwalk Historical Society Museum is located at 141 East Avenue, Norwalk, and is open Wednesday-Saturday, Noon-4pm, and during special events and by appointment for Self-Guided Tours. For more information on how to book a self-guided tour, please visit the NHS Event Calendar page.