The Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was a national initiative as part of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. In addition to trying to end the Depression by combining much needed infrastructural improvements with the employment of out of work architects, engineers, artists, craftsmen and builders. Thousands of Federal Buildings at all scales and all types were commissioned throughout the country. After 75 years it is difficult to appreciate the scale of the endeavor and to appreciate how transformative it was. But the idea of bringing high quality buildings of lasting character deep into the public realm and integrating art into architecture was a whole new direction. Federal Buildings were to set the standard for many years to come.
There were two Federal construction projects in Inglewood: the Hillcrest Post Office and the buildings and the Centinela Park Complex of recreation facilities and the Veterans Memorial. There were several public art commissions completed under the Federal Art Project in conjunction with these projects. Archibald Garner, for instance, sculpted the granite Centinela Springs marker and fountain in the park and created a wood mural depicting California residents.