Marie Watt: Oregon High Desert Museum

Oregon High Desert Museum
April 16 - October 2

A new exhibit explores the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a U.S. government program which employed millions of unemployed people, including artists, musicians and writers, during the Great Depression. Most people think of iconic construction projects that were built by the WPA such as Hoover Dam, Timberline Lodge and LaGuardia Airport, but more than 100,000 works of art also were created. Some of the artists who were commissioned included future luminaries Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko.

The exhibition will highlight the history, people and impact of the WPA and will include relevant paintings and prints from the Portland Art Museum and an immersive scene from the Great Depression. The exhibit will run from April 16 - October 2.

In addition to the historical exhibition, the Museum has, in the spirit of the WPA, commissioned three contemporary artists to create original works which will be placed in different areas of the Museum.

Portland, Oregon artist Marie Watt created a soaring blanket tower that carries the poignant stories of the blankets’ previous owners. Portland-based glass artist David Willis’ work addresses the relationships between people and nature on personal and social levels. Allan McCollum, a New York artist, has spent more than 45 years exploring how objects achieve public and personal meaning in a world inundated by mass production. McCollum collaborated with Bend artist Delia Paine (Via Delia) to create his installation. “We’re looking forward to seeing how the artists interpret this important era in their pieces.”

Through partnerships with other organizations in Central Oregon including the Central Oregon Symphony, Tower Theatre and Deschutes Public Library, there will be complementary events and programs including a film screening, live music, fashion show, lectures and more. Check our calendar or community programs and special events for details.