Guided tour of the famous murals in the Wilbur G. Cohen Federal Building, by GSA Art Historian and Cal Alum Dr. Nick Hartigan

See the famous “New Deal” era murals in the historic Wilbur G. Cohen Federal Building – a building now slated for possible demolition by the current administration. Preservationists and art historians are advocating for saving the building's interior murals by Seymour Fogel, Philip Guston, Ben Shahn, and Ethel Magafan and Jenne Magafan. The building has been called the “Sistine Chapel of New Deal Art.” Some of the murals are chemically bound to the building’s walls and are difficult or impossible to remove.

Thanks to Rob Tobiassen for spotting this New York Times article (which includes some nice images of the murals) concerning the plight of the building and its art work: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/arts/design/wilbur-cohen-building-murals-guston-shahn.html?unlocked_article_code=1.T1A.fF0e.p-R8gVIbvuVg&smid=url-share . Rob suggested that this would be a good venue for the Culture Club.

When: Thursday May 14, 2 pm. 

Where: 330 Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC 20237. A few blocks North of the Federal Center SW Metro Station (Orange, Blue, and Silver lines)

Please follow this link to sign up: SIGN UP HERE

Hope to see you there and Go Bears!