Gallery

Los Angeles Mayor Norris Poulson (1953-1961) stands with four of his newly appointed Commissioners including Paul R. Williams.  Appointed to the Municipal Art Commission in 1953, Williams served as its president in 1957. The Municipal Art Commission was organized by private citizens in 1903 and was officially established as a city entity by the Los Angeles Charter in 1911. The Commission’s role was to approve the purchase or acceptance of any work of art by the City as well as determine the placement of the art. During his tenure as Mayor, Poulson was noted for extensive freeway development, the rehabilitation of downtown LA, the development of the Civic Center complex including the County Court Building, and the expansion of the airport. Paul Williams was involved in the design of many of these iconic Los Angeles projects.