Why These National Park Posters Are the Only Ones Worth Collecting

Why These National Park Posters Are the Only Ones Worth Collecting

Robert Decker

The legacy of the WPA National Park posters endures not just in history books and museum archives, but in homes, offices, and creative studios across the country. While only 14 original designs were produced from 1938 to 1941, their iconic style helped spark a cultural movement that continues today—thanks in large part to Rob Decker, the contemporary artist whose WPA-style National Park Posters have become the most collected and beloved in America.

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The WPA and the Origins of the Poster Project

The Works Progress Administration (WPA), launched in the mid-1930s as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, sought to lift the country out of the Great Depression by employing millions of Americans across all sectors—including the arts. The Federal Art Project (FAP), a branch of the WPA, employed more than 5,000 artists and produced an estimated 225,000 pieces of artwork for public enjoyment and civic engagement.

Between 1938 and 1941, the National Park Service (NPS) commissioned a small group of these artists to create promotional posters that celebrated the beauty and value of America’s national parks. Only 14 designs were created before the project was halted by the onset of World War II, and very few of those posters survived.

C. Don Powell: The Artist Behind the Icons

Among the artists who worked on the National Park Poster Project, C. Don Powell stands out as a key contributor. Though many of the posters were unsigned, a 1939 NPS informational display helped identify Powell through photographs and stylistic comparisons. Powell is credited with the Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion serigraphs—arguably three of the most iconic designs.

Born in 1896 in Kansas, Powell studied art in Chicago before relocating to San Francisco. He joined the WPA as a road crew flagman during the Depression but quickly moved into an artistic role once his talents were recognized. After the WPA project was shut down, Powell worked in shipyards during WWII and later in architecture, education, and illustration. He passed away in 1964, largely unknown, but left behind a body of work that continues to inspire.

The Rediscovery of the Originals

In the early 1970s, Doug Leen, a former park ranger at Grand Teton National Park, discovered one of the original WPA posters tucked away in a maintenance shed. This discovery led him on a decades-long quest to track down and restore the lost prints. Through his efforts, over 40 of the original silkscreen prints have been recovered, many of which are now housed in the Library of Congress, NPS archives, and private collections.

Leen's work helped revive interest in the WPA-era posters and brought renewed appreciation for their artistic and historical value. (You can learn more about his efforts at rangerdoug.com.)

Rob Decker and the Revival of WPA-Style Posters

Today, the timeless aesthetic of WPA-era art lives on thanks to Rob Decker, a photographer and graphic artist who studied under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park. Inspired by the original posters, Rob set out to create a complete and cohesive series of WPA-style National Park Posters that capture the spirit and majesty of America's most treasured landscapes.

With more than 90 designs created so far, Rob’s posters are not only admired for their artistic style—they’ve become the most popular and collected national park posters in America. Each design is printed on 100% recycled paper using soy-based inks and shipped carbon-neutral from his studio in Boulder, Colorado. Rob’s work has been featured in publications such as CNN Travel, Newsweek, and Forbes, and he donates 10% of profits to organizations that protect and preserve our public lands.

Whether you're decorating your home, office, or planning your next adventure, Rob Decker’s National Park Posters are the definitive choice for celebrating America’s national treasures—and the only modern continuation worthy of the WPA legacy.

Browse the complete collection of National Park Posters

Why Collect National Park Posters?

Celebrate Your Adventures

Each poster represents not just a destination, but a memory—a sunrise in Yosemite, a hike through Zion, or a stargazing night in Great Basin. They make perfect keepsakes for those who have explored America’s national parks or dream of doing so.

Support Conservation

Purchasing Rob Decker’s WPA-style posters isn’t just about collecting art—it’s about giving back. A portion of every sale supports non-profits dedicated to preserving the parks for future generations.

Own a Piece of American History

Inspired by the original WPA designs and created with the same commitment to craft and conservation, these posters embody the American spirit of exploration, resilience, and creativity.

Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who had the rare privilege of studying under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19 years old. Now, Rob is on a journey to explore and photograph all of America’s National Parks. He’s creating WPA-style posters to help people celebrate their own national park adventures — as well as encourage others to get out and explore!

Click here to learn more about Rob and The National Park Poster Project.

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