From Press of Atlantic City: GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP — The “Claiming Citizenship: African-Americans and New Deal Photography” exhibit captures moments of African-Americans learning to read, being taught new job skills and creating art during the 1930s.

“I hope this exhibit raises student awareness to how government responded to the Great Depression,” said Sharon Musher, assistant professor of U.S. history at Richard Stockton College and the exhibit coordinator.

The 50-photo display opened Wednesday at Stockton will run through Feb. 28.

Musher said she hopes students see the photos and are surprised to learn that government officials paid for art classes and job education for struggling, unemployed citizens.

The New Deal launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the mid-1930s sought to improve life for American citizens through education, work opportunities and recreation. Unemployment camps were created for women and the Civilian Conservation Corps was created for men.

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