As then head of the Art Department of Iowa Wesleyan College, in 1951 Fracassini wrote to artists as follows:

"During my associations with other painters for the past twenty years, I have seen repeated evidences of frustrations and uncertainties concerning the functions and goals of artists in our societty. Consequently, I have chosen for the subject of my dissertation, "The Dilemma of the Twentieth Century Artist."

"I would therefore appeciate your personal opinion on such questions as these: Do you believe that the so-called glorification of shapelessness and formlessness in compemporary art is an inevitable reflection of our age? It has been said that in order to create a new art form the works of the past must be denied. Do you share this opinion? Why does elimination of subject matter seem to be indigenous to the period in which we live? Do you consider this approach valid? What do you think the artists as exemplified by some of the members of the Betty Parsons Gallery and Kottz, are contributing toward the development of a lasting art? What in your opinion is the basic common denominator of art throughout the ages? Can art be propagandistic and still be a valid art? What are your personal goals as an artist?"

This collection contains the responses he received. Not every correspondent chose to answer his questions. Many of the letters are handwritten and nearly all are signed. Contributing artists include Joseph Albers, Lyonel Feiniger, George Grosz, Rockwell Kent, and Norman Rockwell.