Salvatore DeMaio

Depression-era muralist and lead artist of the WPA-funded team that produced the history of Hamden mural at Hamden High School. DeMaio (1908-1960) known for his realism in public art, also painted The Story of Rip Van Winkle at the New Haven Free Public Library as well as the Landing of John Davenport in the lounge of the Governor’s Foot Guard in Hartford. After graduating Yale in three years, he was awarded the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1930. One of thirteen children, DeMaio and his family operated the Weather Vane restaurant in Hamden until it was destroyed by fire in 1964.