Artist: Allison Mason Kingsbury

Year: 1942

"The Onion Pickers," originally known as the "Onion Fields," is a mural that is situated in the Post Office of Canastota, New York. It was painted in 1942 by Allison Mason Kingsbury under the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration during the New Deal.

In the mural, there are objects beside the women's legs. These are crates used to carry tools, pulled weeds, or ripe onions. The woman is standing and looking at something in the distance. One may wonder what she is staring at; possibly home, the weather, or perhaps she is relieving her aching back. To her left, in the disstance, is a cluster of barns and houses, thought to be the couple's home.

The man keeling on the ground, has inner tubes sewn into his pants to help them last longer. He is digging up weeds that are threatening to choke an onion plant. Little machinery was available to him at this time, so all work had to be done by hand.

Onions have been grown in the rich mucklands around the village of Canastota for many years and they remain an important part of the local economy. "The Onion Pickers" gives us a glimpse of the hard work and determination of the field workers that have always been a part of the business.

The mural still sits in the tiny post office, above the door, just waiting to be rediscovered day after day. Another time is shown to the world though this painting, but we just live our lives and forget about the past that has brought us to today.