WPA art, music, dance, and body-building classes in Berkeley, California

Above: This building, at Telegraph Avenue and Channing Way, Berkeley, California, used to be the location of Maxwell Hardware store (occupying the first floor and basement areas). From about March 15 to March 22, 1941, an art exhibition was held at this hardware store. The artworks--which consisted of ceramics, woodcarvings, figurines, and more--were created by students in a WPA art class at the Berkeley Y.W.C.A. ("WPA Art Students Exhibit Handiwork," Oakland Tribune, March 17, 1941, p. 6). Image from Google Streetview, used here for educational, non-commercial purposes.

Above: Somewhere in this cluster of buildings, on Adeline Street, Berkeley, California, a Mr. Joseph Hudner held WPA classes in "sculpture, modeling, drawing, mural painting and woodcarving" ("Berkeley WPA Art Classes to Reopen," Oakland Tribune, February 6, 1941, p. 6). The article reports that the classes were held at 2980 Adeline Street. In the image above, the yellow trapezoid building (center) contains the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles (2982 Adeline Street) and the building to the right of it houses the Oxtail Studio and Gallery (2976 Adeline Street). It seems the WPA art classes were held in one of these buildings. Image from Google Earth, used here for educational, non-commercial purposes.

Above: This is the Berkeley Adult School at 1701 San Pablo Avenue. This location used to be the home of the Franklin Elementary School. In 1939, the following was reported: "Included in WPA educational activities in Berkeley, a course in piano instruction for adults is being held from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays at the Franklin School, San Pablo and Virginia Streets. Individual instruction is announced by Mrs. Ruby Hendricks, graduate of Kings Conservatory, San Jose" ("Piano Instruction Offered by WPA," Oakland Tribune, January 13, 1939, p. 22). Image from Google Earth, used here for educational, non-commercial purposes.

Above: James Kenney Park, Berkeley, California. The WPA taught ballroom dancing here ("WPA Announces Series of Classes," Oakland Tribune, November 7, 1937, p. 7). Image from Google Earth, used here for educational, non-commercial purposes.

Above: Codornices Park, at right, is near the Berkeley Rose Garden (left). According to the Wikipedia page for the Berkeley Rose Garden, "The clubhouse of the Codornices Club, a neighborhood improvement and social club, once stood on a lot adjacent to the top of the concrete slide" (note the "Concrete Slide" marker in the image above, middle-right). In 1938, it was reported that the WPA would be sponsoring "Tap dancing and body-building" classes in the Codornices Clubhouse ("Recreational Classes Offered Berkeley Public," Oakland Tribune, September 8, 1938). Image from Google Earth, used here for educational, non-commercial purposes.

WPA classes--such as those highlighted above--offered millions of Americans the opportunity to learn new skills, relieve stress, socialize, exercise and... well... just have some fun. We could use similar programs today, to help address the problems we have with social isolation and physical fitness.