Elzy J. Bird papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0639

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Elzy J. Bird papers (1931-2005) contain sketches, writings, correspondence, and Federal Art Project materials concerning this Utah artist. In January 1977, Elzy J. bird donated his scrapbook of news clippings and original sketches to the University of Utah. The scrapbook's articles have been photocopied and document his involvement with the WPA Federal Art Project from 1938 to 1942, as well as his later work with defense projects. The material tells of the Utah State Art Center, the artists who exhibited and taught there, as well as the public who enjoyed free classes on painting, sculpture, writing, and theatrical production. The latter donation to the collection contains family letters, writings by Bird, and some miscellaneous papers.

The original sketches by Elzy J. Bird were done for his family in the book The Old Farm, which tells the story of his childhood experiences. There is also a group of original black and white drawings, created by Robert M. Jones, a photographer involved with the Utah State Art Center, for the book Utah: A Guide to the State, edited by Dale Morgan. Both books are available through Special Collections Rare Books.

The PWAP (Public Works of Art Project) was developed in December 1933 as work-relief for artists, one segment of the masses of workers laid off during the Great Depression. Utah's PWAP was part of the Women's Division of the Utah Civil Works Administration, and continued until June 1934. Murals, paintings, and sculpture were assigned for decoration of public (non-federal) buildings and parks.

The FERA program (Federal Emergency Relief Administration) employed artists to finish the work that had been started under PWAP, if the artists qualified for relief. Utah's FERA program existed from April 1934 until July 1935. Utah's Public Art Project was approved in August 1934, with Judy Farnsworth Lund appointed as state art supervisor, later the title changed to state art director. Under FERA, the murals in the Utah State Capitol dome were completed. FERA was a precursor to the Federal Art Projects.

In July 1935, TRAP (Treasury Relief Art Project) received money from the WPA to provide work-relief to visual artists, to decorate federal buildings that had not yet received funds for public art. None of Utah's artists were employed by the TRAP funding. The TRAP program was limited; there was a need for a much more extensive program. One month after TRAP's beginning, the WPA Federal Art Project was organized.

The WPA (Works Progress Administration) was created in May 1935 under the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to fight unemployment with work-relief jobs. In the Fall of 1935, the WPA/FAP (Federal Arts Project) was created under the direction of Holger Cahill. It was to provide employment to persons certified in the art field, who were otherwise on the relief rolls, to create "outstanding examples of contemporary American art," to teach about art, and broaden the art consciousness of the nation through projects and classes. Darrell J. Greenwell was appointed as Utah's State WPA Administrator. The Federal Art Project was sponsored by the Utah State Institute of Fine Arts, now called the Utah Arts Council, and was administered through the Women's Project.

The appointed director was originally Judy Farnsworth Lund, who had previously supervised the FERA program in Utah. Elzy J. Bird took over as director on 1 August 1937, supervising the program for over four years until January 1942 when he left to join the Armed Forces. Lynn Fausett took over as assistant state supervisor of the renamed project, known as Art Phase, War Services Project. He continued until the Federal Art Project was terminated in January 1943.

Utah's Federal Art Project had an extensive system of community art centers and traveling exhibits to help art become integrated into the life of Utah's communities. The Springville Museum of Art was created during this time, as well as the Community Art Centers in Provo, Price, and Helper. The Utah State Art Center was established in 1938 in Salt Lake City in the old Elks Club building at 59 South State Street. It was imaginatively refurbished and well-attended by the public. The Center was under the watchful eye of the Utah State Institute of Fine Arts, whose chairman was Gail Martin.

Dates

1931-2005

Creator

Bird, E. J. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Sketch

Elzy J. "Bill" Bird (1911-2001) was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 3 April 1911 but spent much of his early life on his family's farm in East Layton, Utah, and on cattle ranches in Swan Valley, Idaho. A detailed account of his childhood has been written and illustrated with Bird's own sketches in his book The Old Farm. When he and his family moved back to Salt Lake City, he attended West High where he studied art under Cornelius Salisbury. He later studied under James T. Harwood, with whom he learned etching, and under Jack Sears at the University of Utah. He worked with both professors on major projects. Bird began studying at the Chouinard School of Art in Los Angeles in 1933 under Don Graham, working for Graham and Phil Dike at the Walt Disney Studios. His watercolors have been exhibited in one-man shows at the Denver Art Museum and Santa Barbara Museum, as well as in large exhibitions such as the 1939 New York World's Fair. His work can be seen in such collections as the Utah Arts Council, the Springville Museum of Art, many Utah schools, public buildings, and private collections. During the 1930s, Bird served as a member of the board of directors for the Utah State Institute of Fine Arts, and in the 1950s, he was on the board of directors of the Art Barn, now known as the Salt Lake Art Center. He took over from Judy Farnsworth Lund as dirctor of Utah's WPA Federal Arts Project on 1 August 1937 and served until January 1942 when he left to serve in the Armed Forces. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was present during the invasion of Okinawa. Bird has written and illustrated several children's books, including How Do Bears Sleep? (1990). Bird died 7 May 2001 in Salt Lake City.

Extent

12.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Elzy J. Bird papers (1931-2005) contain sketches, writings, correspondence, and Federal Art Project materials concerning this Utah artist.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Boxes 1-5 were donated in January 1977 (8.5 linear feet). Boxes 6-8 were donated in May 2005 (1.5 linear feet). Box 9 was donated in March 2007(0.5 linear feet). Box 10 was donated in 2008 (2.5 linear feet).

Separated Materials

Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collecitons (P0558). Some oversize artwork is located in the Manuscripts Division mapcase.