Connecticut WPA Art

Kullberg, Webster C. (?)Nothing is known about Webster C. Kullberg except that he worked for the WPA Federal Arts Project from 1940-1941, that he completed 16 easel works in oil, and that he lived in Westport, Connecticut during this time. Source: WPA Artist’s Work Card.Works of Art Listed in CT Archives' database from Webster Kullberg:The Goat Farm:oilBoy Fishing:oilStorm...

LaBrecque, Louis (?)Louis LaBrecque began his work for the WPA Federal Arts Project in 1935. In total, he painted eleven murals under the Project. He worked on the Bushnell Park Nativity Scene, painting the statues in life-like colors. His work was allocated to the Hartford Municipal Hospital and the North West School. LaBrecque was married to Winifred Lynch. Tragically, his so...

Lagana, Filippo (1896-1963)The sculptor Filippo Lagana, also known as Philip Lagana, was born on April 27, 1896, in Italy. He was a graduate of the Beaux Arts Institute of Design. He came to live in Darien, Connecticut. Lagana was a member of the Darien Guild of Seven Arts and the Silvermine Guild of Artists. His portrait, Clarence Roe, is in the Pennsylvania Museum of Art. He ...

Laing, Arthur (?)The only work of Arthur Laing’s for the Federal Arts Project was a six ft. by four ft. Air Raid Warden Chart done in oil in New Haven for the Hartford State Defense Council in 1941. Otherwise nothing is known. There were an Arthur and Marie Laing in Chester but Arthur’s obituary does not mention his artistic skills. Marie, on the other hand, was an artist. Ther...

Lang, Karl (1897-1952)Karl Lang was born in Biberach, Germany on September 9, 1897, the only child of a wealthy family. At the Upper Real School at Stuttgart, he learned English and drawing. His father urged him to go into Colonial service, but Karl preferred drawing. His instructor, Herr Gansmueller, encouraged him to pursue art. When he was 16 or 17, Lang came to America. In ...

Lawson, Katherine Stewart (1891-?)Katherine Stewart Lawson was born Katherine Stewart in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 9, 1891. She attended school in Washington D.C. and went on to the Chicago Art Institute where she won an “honorable mention” in sculpture. She won a scholarship at the Art Students League in New York, and from that time forward she focused exclusively on sculpt...

Little, Nathaniel (1893)Nathaniel Little was born on February 18, 1893 in Helena, Montana. He attended the University of Montana where he received his Bachelor of Arts. He also studied at the Art Students League of New York and at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He practiced illustration and eventually took up painting. Little’s work was exhibited at the National Academy...

 Martino, Michel (1889-1969)Michel Martino was born on February 22, 1889, in Italy. He attended New Haven Public Schools and the Hopkins Grammar School. He studied for seven years in the Yale School of Fine Arts, focusing on sculpture. He also studied in Rome and Paris.  Like Karl Lang, Martino worked with Gutzon Borglum. He exhibited at the National Academy, the Architectural ...

Martin, Floyd Thornton (?)Very little is known about Floyd Martin. He worked for the WPA Federal Arts Project’s predecessor, the Public Works of Art Project. Under the WPA, he completed several oil murals for the Waterside School in Stamford, Connecticut and several others for the Burdick Jr. High School in Stamford. Martin’s dates of birth and death are unknown. Source: W...

Lyons, Matthew (1911-1972?)Matthew Lyons completed 48 easels for the WPA, though 43% of these were rejected or returned to the artist. He lived in Bridgeport, Connecticut during his tenure with the project from 1938 to 1939. Sources: WPA Artist’s Work Card; Social Security Death IndexWorks of Art Listed in CT Archives' database from Matthew Lyons:Still Life- House:oilBreakfast:...