This article was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2026 to include new insights from the installation of the 1937 WPA murals into the new Long Beach Public Library and from recent professional art mural conservation projects at Fine Art Conservation Laboratories. The WPA Federal Art Project (1935–1943) produced thousands of murals across the United States, many of which remain in libraries, schools, and civic buildings today.

The following video shows part of the conservation and installation work carried out during the preservation of the WPA murals at the Long Beach Public Library.

Conservation and installation of the 1937 WPA murals at the Long Beach Public Library by the team at Fine Art Conservation Laboratories.

Selecting the Professional Art Mural Conservation Team for the New Long Beach Library

The City of Long Beach went on a desperate search for the right mural conservation team in order to be reassured that the art mural conservation treatments and services would blend well logistically with the massive project of building the new library in downtown. The City of Long Beach was motivated (by a number of issues with the valuable historic WPA murals) to find authoritative, experienced fine art and mural conservation experts to bring this beautiful community asset back to life. It required halting the deterioration of time and disaster. Hopefully, the project was undertaken to improve the aesthetics of the artwork which had been compromised by previous restoration. And the project required that these whimsical fairytale works of art would be a shinning jewel in the new public facility. The mural was painted in 1937 by Suzanne Miller under the auspices of the Work Project Administration Federal Art Project (Federal Art Project – FAP, Works Progress Administration -WPA). These murals are among the many public artworks created during the WPA era that remain in civic buildings across the United States today. To see other WPA mural projects we have had the honor of preserving and restoring click on this link: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/?s=WPA&apbct__email_id__search_form=

Long Beach WPA Murals Before Conservation

The Long Beach WPA Murals: Scenes from English Literature

These 9 sections of the mural are titled “Scenes From English Literature.” The 9 panels depict 15 scenes from English Literature:

• Hiawatha — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – Panel 1
• The Faerie Queene — Edmund Spenser – Panel 2
• Pilgrim’s Progress — John Bunyan – Panel 3
• L’Allegro and Il Penseroso — John Milton – Panel 4
• The Vicar of Wakefield — Oliver Goldsmith – Panel 4
• Rip Van Winkle — Washington Irving – Panel 4
• The King James Bible – Panel 5
• Alice in Wonderland — Lewis Carroll – Panel 6
• The Compleat Angler — Izaak Walton – Panel 6
• The Lady of Shalott — Alfred Tennyson – Panel 7
• The Tempest — William Shakespeare – Panel 8
• The Canterbury Tales — Geoffrey Chaucer- Panel 9

Signature on Suzanne Miller WPA Murals in Long Beach Public Library

The Earlier Long Beach Public Library and the 1972 Fire

The original Long Beach Public Library once stood across the street in Lincoln Park. The building was destroyed by fire in 1972.

Los Angelenos are unfortunately well acquainted with fire and smoke damage, particularly after the devastating fires in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades last year. Fine Art Conservation Laboratories has extensive experience mitigating fire and smoke damage affecting paintings and murals. In fact, we were vetted by FEMA as among the first to gain security clearance for entering the “burn zones” after the fires in order to respond to requests for help from the public. https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/in-lab/smoke-damage-on-collectibles-memorabilia-heirlooms-art-and-antiques-tips-for-making-an-insurance-claim-smoke-damaged-oil-paintings/

In 1937, the murals were painted in oil on canvas and then glued to the wall of the library. After the fire, the 9 mural sections were pulled off the walls, repainted and glued to plywood… not good for long term preservation. After their restoration, the plywood sections were bolted to the walls of the Children’s Reading room at the public library located at 101 Pacific Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90882

Poor Quality Restoration Methods and Materials Previously Utilized

As a result of the 1972 restoration, over the recent years the low quality varnish has yellowed badly changing all the colors… and water leaked onto the murals further damaging them.

Water stains, vast areas of fogged or bloomed varnish and crystallization of varnish resin.

One of the 9 sections of mural was badly wrinkled from the previous restoration.

Before and after relaxing and removal of wrinkles in mural section

Professional Art Conservation for Historic Oil Paintings – The Mural Conservation Treatment Performed

Historic murals created under the WPA Federal Art Project remain an important part of the cultural history of many American cities.
When these works require conservation, treatment must be carefully coordinated with architects, construction teams, and public
institutions responsible for the long-term preservation of the artwork.

Fine Art Conservation Laboratories has experience working with municipalities, libraries, schools, and private collectors to
examine, conserve, and reinstall historic murals while respecting both the artwork and the logistical requirements of large
building projects.

Institutions or collectors responsible for historic murals who wish to discuss conservation questions may contact our studio at
805-564-3438 or gena.faclbusinessmanager@gmail.com

So, present day, the City of Long Beach wanted to recuperate the original appearance of the murals and ensure their long term preservation. Fine Art Conservation Laboratories, a professional mural art conservation firm that had a long history of successful city, state and federal government mural restoration projects was contracted.

The cleaning process involved the safe varnish removal without removing the previous restorations. The original colors and details that were obscured were returned closer to their intended values, including better contrast and depth of field in the composition.

The badly wrinkled section was relaxed by warming and then reinforced for future stability.

Stable conservation grade varnish was brush applied to bring out the best appearance of the artwork.

We never use oil paint.

Inpainting or retouching is never done with oil paint. Conservation grade paint, which always remains removable and color stable, were used to correct or blend some of the previous restorations. New varnish provides for better surface protection against accidents and vandalism.

Installation of the WPA Murals in the New Long Beach Library

After the mural conservation treatments were reviewed by the general contractor, the project manager and the person overseeing the art, the panels were enthusiastically accepted and put into the high profile location of the Billie Jean King atrium of the new Long Beach Public Library. Check out this authority reference!!! https://livingnewdeal.org/sites/billie-jean-king-main-library-murals-long-beach-ca/

The WPA murals in the Billie Jean King Atrium

You may also be interested in another WPA mural project just next door at the San Pedro High School, the renovation of which is nearing completion at the end of this year. Here’s a peek at the authoritative inside scoop: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/murals/saving-public-art-wpa-pre-world-war-ii-murals-by-tyron-comfort-from-demolition-in-los-angeles/

Questions: Scott M. Haskins, Virginia Panizzon, Julia Betancor –  Art Conservators 805 564 3438 faclartdoc@gmail.com

If you have questions and want to chat about the [preservation and restoration of mural (historic or contemporary outdoor public art) or have questions about art you care about, you are welcome to contact our team at Fine Art Conservation Laboratories. We are always glad to review photographs and discuss your specific “itch”.

Scott M. Haskins or Virginia Panizzon,

Art Conservators

Phone: 805-564-3438

Email: faclartdoc@gmail.com

or Gena Dillon, Business Manager

FACL.BusinessManager@gmail.com  805 564 3438