Betty Firth

Where can you go in Ely and many Minnesota communities for free entertainment and education? You might be surprised to find out what you have been missing at your public library. Programs in four areas– arts, culture, literary, and Minnesota history, are made possible by the Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota constitution, funded through the state sales tax.
Recently, I attended a presentation by Duluth artists, Brian and Sue Matuszak, who had been intrigued by artwork in northern Minnesota that was created during the Great Depression as part of the Work Progress Administration (WPA.) Little information was available, so they started digging and researched for two years, which resulted in creating their presentation to share their findings and, hopefully, a book in the future to preserve this part of Minnesota culture.
During the 1930s, the country was experiencing a collective psychological depression brought on by the economic collapse that wiped out jobs, savings, and hope for millions. President Roosevelt’s New Deal infused massive amounts of money into the economy through many new programs, nicknamed the “alphabet agencies,” like the WPA to put people to work and give them some hope.
Many people are familiar with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which was focused on construction, roads, and land reclamation projects. The Ely area projects include the Kawishiwi Campground pavilion, the Ely Community Center, and the stone buildings, fire pit, and benches in Semer’s Park; the latter were built by the National Youth Administration (NYA).
People are less familiar with the five art-related programs within the WPA which focused on art, theater, writing, music, and historical records. Through the Federal Art Project (FAP), communities could apply to the state supervisor who connected them with a visual artist to make their requested work of art. Critics who said that paying artists was frivolous was countered by WPA Director Harry Hopkins who said, “Hell! They’ve got to eat, just like other people!” The visual artists were encouraged, but not required, to choose subjects relevant to the community and region they were embedded in such as farm scenes, cityscapes, and ordinary people at work and play. The style was often naturalistic, seldom abstract.
Post Office murals were handled through a different program called The Section. Qualified artists had to apply and submit sketches directly to the federal government. The subject matter was usually realistic representations of the history and industry of the area, like the two murals in the Ely Post Office.
The aim of the various art programs was multilayered:
To give artists employment.
To capture a portrait of ordinary life in the 1930s to preserve for the future.
To give the local residents an exposure to art being created publicly, right in their midst, so they could watch the progress and interact with the artists.
To instill a sense of pride that their community was important enough to have art created for it.
To make the aesthetic pleasure that art can bring available to everyone, not just the wealthy.
President Roosevelt, along with his wife Eleanor, who actively promoted the projects with Harry Hopkins, understood that people needed work, dignity, food, and housing, but they also had needs beyond mere survival. They needed to have hope for the future and not to be isolated in despair. They needed some joy and laughter.
The yearning for these were evident in the popular culture. A profusion of upbeat popular songs created a sense of optimism and escape, including “Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries,” “We’re in the Money,” and “Happy Days Are Here Again,” often considered the theme song of FDR. Songs also provided a way to document the era, voicing complaint about lost jobs and impoverishment, such as “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” The Wizard of Oz was released in 1939, visually portraying hope as the film began in black and white and burst into radiant color in Munchkin Land. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” promised that “somewhere skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.” Some critics suggested that Oz might be a commentary on President Roosevelt’s administration. Little Orphan Annie’s song “Tomorrow” captures the optimistic hope for better days in the movie first released in 1932.
Theater productions through the Federal Theater Project (FTP) gave citizens an opportunity to get involved in all the aspects of production, bringing experience, and learning new skills, as writers, actors, directors, musicians, set designers, publicists, which sometimes led to other jobs. Performance art required people to get out of their houses and join a team. The collective effort showed how much they could accomplish working together while having some fun, creating bonds between people that could last, just as it does in our community theater today.
Community choirs were created then, and still are, to bring people together to literally harmonize, learn to balance their voices with others, have some fun, entertain and make new friends. I just learned that Ely Community Resource (ECR) has expanded their multi-generational program at Carefree Living with a show-up-and-sing choir every other Saturday at 10 a.m. Whether you’re a child or adult, you’re invited to drop in to join in the fun.
People sought inexpensive entertainment and distractions from their circumstances, so radio programs, dancing, dance marathons, and cinema were popular. Jazz, blues, swing, dance band and ragtime were some of the most popular genres. Board games were a cheap, reusable form of fun, and the classics Monopoly, Sorry!, and Scrabble were either created or popularized during this time period.
In today’s world, after the Covid lockdown with serious global issues creating dissension and confusion, many feel isolated, anxious, and lonely. Distractions and entertainment that help people get together and create new opportunities and friendships in their lives are evident: trivia and jigsaw puzzle contests, classes, walking/running events, mystery dinners, and many more.
If you’re looking for something fun to do, gas up or plug in your vehicle, grab the kids or some friends, and motor over to your neighboring communities for a treasure hunt to search out FAP public art in Ely, Virginia, Chisholm, Mt. Iron, International Falls, and Grand Rapids. Most can be found at the post offices, libraries, or in parks, and you can ask the locals for clues. Art was also created for Eveleth, Cloquet, Two Harbors, and Duluth, but has disappeared or is not on display.
Sadly, excellent recent programs in Ely featuring the Matuszeks and the Sutter Brothers had very low attendance. Do check out library programs in your area and show up to enjoy and support presenters with your interest and enthusiasm. You can still catch the Sutter Brothers between Nov. 1 and Nov. 9 at other libraries on the tour. Oh, and be sure to thank the library staff who pull it all together!
Sue Matuszak is a fiber artist with the Duluth Fiber Guild, and Brian is the producer for Rubber Chicken Theater in Duluth. Their next show is a holiday sketch comedy revue in December. For more info: email matuszak3@msn.com or go to rchickentheater on Facebook, X, and Instagram.