The presentation by Katie Morris discusses the characteristics of American Regionalism, highlighting its focus on rural life and ordinary Americans during the mid-20th century. Key artists like Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood, and John Steuart Curry are featured, along with notable works that reflect their depiction of communities. Morris also encourages students to create art that represents their own communities, culminating in a longer-term project due by November 29th.

1. What do these paintings have in common?

2. American Regionalism
& Contemporary Communities
Presentation by Katie Morris

3. Characteristics of Regionalism
Took place in the midwest: Missouri, Kansas,
Nebraska, Iowa
Represents Rural Life
People and Places
“Ordinary” Americans
Best known Regionalist artists
Thomas Hart Benton
Grant Wood

4. Thomas Hart Benton,
July Hay, 1943
From Neosho, Missouri
Most famous Regionalist
http://www.wikiart.org/en/thomas-hart-http://www.theartstory.org/artist-benton-thomas-hart.htm

5. Thomas Hart Benton, The Hail Storm, 1940

6. Thomas Hart Benton, The Wreck of the Ole 97, 1943
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2012/03/lacma-art-hollywood-benton-exhibition-
.html

7. Thomas Hart Benton, Joplin at the Turn of the Century 1896-1906
http://www.joplinmo.org/index.aspx?NID=175

8. Grant Wood, The Appraisal, 1931
From Anamosa, Iowa
Served in the military and studied
art in Europe before returning
home to Iowa
http://cultured.com/image/1215/The_Appraisal/#.V2F7FsfHWRwww.midtod.com

9. Grant Wood, American Gothic, 1930
Mrs.Morris geeking out at the Art Institute of Chicago. http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/6565
Wood’s most famous (and most parodied) painting.

10. John Steuart Curry, Tornado Over Kansas, 1929
Born near Dunavant, Kansas
Painted famous mural in Kansas
State Capitol Building
http://www.muskegonartmuseum.org/mma-permanent-http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=47557017

11. John Steuart Curry, Tragic Prelude (John Brown),
1939
https://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-state-capitol-online-tour-tragic-

12. John Steuart Curry, Baptism in Kansas, 1928
http://collection.whitney.org/object/250
0

13. John Steuart Curry, Our Good Earth, 1942
http://www.mikeettner.com/03/2014/john-steuart-
currys-our-good-earth-an-american-makeover-of-
millet/

14. Works Progress Administration
WPA Created by FDR in 1933
Part of the program funded the
arts like murals in public
buildings
The art style of the WPA can be
described as Regionalist
Keep American culture alive
Regionalist artists were involved Thomas Hart Benton, A Social History of the State of Missouri, 1936
Mural in the Missouri Capitol http://benton.truman.edu

15. Breaking the Prairie, Designed by Grant Wood and painted by Iowa State art
students under the direction of Francis McCray, 1936/37 school year.
http://oldartguy.com/Murals.ht

16. John Steuart Curry, Movement of the Population Westward, 1937, Dept. of Justice
https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/department-justice-john-steuart-curry-murals-washington-dc/

17. Communities: People and Places
Regionalist artists depicted the people and
places of rural America- their
communities.
How do you define community?
Of which communities are you
a part?
Edward Hopper, Gas, 1940
http://www.edwardhopper.net/gas.jsp

18. Challenge: Contemporary Communities
Just like Regionalist artists depicted the people and places of their communities, I
want you to brainstorm and come up with a plan for how to make a work of art that
shows the people and places of one of YOUR communities.
Today: Brainstorm communities and ideas.
Before November 29th: Sketch or photograph the people & places. I want multiple
ideas or the same idea multiple ways. One idea will turn into a longer term project.
Tuesday, November 29th: Share your sketches or photos with classmates and
then get idea approved by Mrs.Morris. The longer project can be completed in any
medium.