Lottery Wheel

Art Historical Context

Step into the colorful world of American folk art with *Lottery Wheel*, a captivating watercolor and graphite drawing by Al Curry, created around 1938. This precise 44.5 x 36 cm on paper belongs to the Index of American Design, a trove of Depression-era documentation housed in the National Gallery of Art's CG-W department. Produced under the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942, the Index employed artists like Curry to meticulously record everyday objects that embodied America's cultural heritage—from quilts and whirligigs to tools and toys. *Lottery Wheel* captures the whimsical mechanics of a traditional gambling device, likely used at fairs or community gatherings, highlighting the playful yet precarious side of early American pastimes. Curry's masterful use of watercolor brings vibrant hues to the wheel's spinning segments and intricate details, while graphite adds sharp lines for accuracy. This hybrid technique not only preserved a vanishing folk artifact but also celebrated national ingenuity during tough economic times, reminding us of the creativity woven into everyday life.

About the Artist

Al Curry · 1855–present

**Al Curry** (American, active c. 1935) was a skilled draftsman whose precise renderings captured the essence of American folk art and vernacular craftsmanship during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented. Curry gained prominence through his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art P...