What is a WPA Poster?

A WPA poster refers to the iconic posters created during the 1930s and 1940s by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) under its Federal Art Project, a part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal initiative. Originally designed to publicize community events, educational programs, theatrical productions, and promote public health initiatives, these posters have become highly admired pieces of American cultural heritage.

Rob Decker, a renowned artist and the founder of National Park Posters, draws profound inspiration from the WPA style, embracing the project's bold, minimalist designs, vibrant colors, and captivating illustrations. Established as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal in 1935, the WPA sought to combat the devastating unemployment of the Great Depression by funding projects that promoted culture, education, and community engagement.

Under the WPA’s Federal Art Project, artists produced thousands of posters designed to publicize various cultural events, educational initiatives, theatrical performances, and community health programs. These posters uniquely captured the spirit and beauty of American life, especially the national parks, highlighting their majestic landscapes and iconic imagery.

Rob Decker, who has spent over 50 years exploring, photographing, and artistically interpreting America's national parks, passionately continues this artistic legacy through his National Park Posters series. His work honors the classic WPA aesthetic, creating modern yet timeless tributes to the natural wonders of America. Every poster in his collection echoes the spirit and visual language pioneered by WPA artists, connecting people to the parks and encouraging preservation efforts.

Today, the enduring influence of WPA posters remains profound in contemporary graphic design, exemplified by Rob Decker's compelling creations. Decker's posters, which are printed on 100% recycled paper using eco-friendly soy-based inks and shipped carbon-neutral from Boulder, Colorado, embody a commitment to conservation and sustainability—core principles of his mission. Moreover, National Park Posters contributes 10% of its annual proceeds to organizations supporting the protection and preservation of national parks.

Visitors to the National Park Posters website experience this fusion of historical reverence and contemporary environmental responsibility. Rob Decker's passion, experience, and dedication have garnered national recognition, with features in CNN Travel, Newsweek, Forbes, and other prominent media outlets, solidifying his status as a significant figure in modern graphic design and environmental advocacy.

Today, Rob Decker and National Park Posters celebrate and perpetuate the enduring legacy of the WPA’s powerful visual storytelling, inspiring new generations to explore, cherish, and protect America's treasured national parks.

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