New WPA Film Screens at the Smithsonian

Last week, filmmakers Michael Maglaras and Terri Templeton of 217 Films screened their new film “Enough to Live On: The Arts of the WPA” to a standing room only crowd at the New Britain Museum American Art.     

On June 17, “Enough to Live On” will be shown again at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. 

This film celebrates the eightieth anniversary of the Works Progress Administration and the Federal Art Project and tells the story of how the New Deal used the arts to bring a message of hope and recovery to the American people (2015, 94 minutes).  Join a docent-led tour of the museum’s New Deal artworks before the screening. 

View clips from the film at this link. 

What:  “Enough to Live On: The Arts of the WPA” introduced by filmmaker Michael Maglaras.   A Q&A session will follow the screening.

When:  Wednesday, June 17

Gallery Talk – 5:30pm

Film Screening – 6:30pm

Where:  Smithsonian American Art Museum

Gallery Talk - Meet in F Street Lobby

Film Screening – McEvoy Auditorium

Tickets: Free

The full screening schedule for this film is at this link.  New screening dates are being added frequently so be sure to keep your eye on this page.

Orson Welles: A Tale of Two Macbeths

Orson Welles in 1937.

In 1937, Orson Welles recreated Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” as taking place not in Scotland...but in Haiti.

What became known as the “Voodoo Macbeth” ran in New York City for weeks and toured America for months.  

It is, and remains, an outstanding example of the innovative arts of the Works Progress Administration.

Martin Keady writes in “The Shakespeare Standard” about Orson Welles, the Bard and the part they played in WPA funded theatre.

Read his article at this link.

Join 217 Films at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on June 17 at 6:30pm to see remarkable scenes from Orson Welles’ WPA production of “Macbeth” in our new film “Enough to Live On: The Arts of the WPA.”

The actor Jack Carter as Macbeth.

The film celebrates the eightieth anniversary of the WPA and the Federal Art Project and tells the story of how the New Deal used the arts to bring a message of hope and recovery to the American people (2015, 94 minutes).

Filmmaker Michael Maglaras will introduce the film and a reception will follow.

Join a docent-led tour of the museum’s New Deal artworks before the screening.

The full details of this free screening at the Smithsonian are at this link.   

Susan Dunne Goes Behind the Scenes of New Film on the Arts of the WPA

Susan Dunne of the Hartford Courant takes you behind the scenes of 217 Films' new documentary on the arts of the WPA.  Read her article at this link.

Don't miss the world premiere of "Enough to Live On: The Arts of the WPA" this Thursday, May 14th at the New Britain Museum of American Art.  More information at this link.  

View clips from the film at this link.

Connecticut Magazine Features 217 Films

The New Britain Museum of American Art brings you the film.  Kate Hartman at Connecticut Magazine brings you the story.  Read all about the May 14 world premiere of our new film "Enough to Live On: The Arts of the WPA" at this link.

WHAT:  World Premiere of 217 Films’ “Enough to Live On: The Arts of the WPA”

A special red carpet event. 

WHEN:  Thursday, May 14 at 6:00 PM (5:30 PM reception) 

           

WHERE:  New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St., New Britain, Connecticut

COST:  Tickets $20 Members | $25 Non-Members - Information at this link.

FMI:  Heather Whitehouse, TEL:  860-229-0257 Ext. 203, whitehouseh@nbmaa.org

On This Day in History

WORLD PREMIERE

A New Film by Michael Maglaras

Enough to Live On:  The Arts of the WPA

View clips at this link.

Filmmakers Michael Maglaras and Terri Templeton return to the New Britain Museum of American Art with a celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Works Progress Administration…the WPA…the federal initiative that, using art, theater, writing, and music, reignited the soul of America caught in the grip of the Great Depression. Enough to Live On features more than 70 works of art, including notable works by Rockwell Kent, Dorothea Lange, Stuart Davis, and Reginald Marsh.

A Special Red Carpet Event

Thursday, May 14, 2015

5:30 Champagne Reception |  6:00 Screening

New Britain Museum of American Art

56 Lexington Street, New Britain, CT 

Tickets:  $20 members  |   $25 non-members

Reservations are suggested.  

Contact:  Heather Whitehouse

860-229-0257 ext. 203  |  whitehouseh@nbmaa.org