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January 28, 1975

New York Federal Art Project Records
Archives of American Art
Smithsonian Institution
1000 Jefferson Dr. S.W.
Washington, DC 20560

Gentlemen:

We are planning a retrospective exhibition of the works of James Brooks to open in the spring of this year. We are interested in obtaining photographs relative to works done  by James Brooks when he was employed by the WPA.

Mr. Brooks was engaged in Federal Arts Projects during the years 1938-1942. During that time he painted a large mural depicting the history of aviation at the Marine Terminal, Laguardia Airport, New York City. Mr. Brooks remembers that photographs were taken of him at work during this project. It is this kind of photograph that we are interested in. In other works, one of Brooks at work, perhaps on scaffolding etc. In those same years he was also engaged in painting murals in a public library in Woodside, Queens and in a post office in Little Falls, New Jersey. None of these murals are extant. Recently the Port Authority has investigated the possibility of restoring the mural at the Marine Terminal and we hope that this may be done in the coming years.

We would appreciate your help in locating photographs of James Brooks at work on any or all of these murals.

Many thanks for your cooperation.

Very truly yours,

Janet Katz
Contemporary Wing