in 1934, rowe was commissioned to paint a 100-foot, multi-panel mural at bennett high school in buffalo. the project was supported by the public works of art project (pwap). the mural, called “new world symphony,” was completed in 1935 and depicted the folk inspiration of american music. the work helped rowe land the commission for an even larger pwap mural in the nurses’ residence of the buffalo marine hospital. when finished, the second mural was called “old buffalo of the elegant eighties and nifty nineties” or the “buffalo and the gay 90’s.” these two large works helped rowe establish his reputation as a talented young artist.