John Augustus Walker

John Augustus Walker (1901–1967) was a well-known Alabama Gulf Coast artist of the Depression era who was commissioned to undertake several art projects for the Works Progress Administration.

Born in Mobile, Alabama, Walker was first encouraged to become an artist by an elementary school teacher, Mayme Simpson.

Forced at an early age to become the family breadwinner, Walker worked from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily for the Mobile & Ohio Freight Department, limiting his sleep so that he could devote more waking hours to the study of drawing and painting.

[1] Walker is remembered as an unusually tireless artist who labored long hours in his North Royal Street studio in Mobile.

Walker's preferred subject matter ranged from Mardi Gras, fantasy and historical themes to landscapes and portraiture.

Although these murals were designed to be only temporary, they are among the Alabama Cooperative Extension System's most valued historical artifacts and are considered prime examples of WPA-related art associated with the Great Depression era.