Considering all the disfunction in Washington and its impact on our relationships abroad, it’s heartening to know that there are elements of our government that are concentrating on supporting positivity. Art is a link that bridges divides between cultures while also celebrating their similarities. The US State Department’s Art in Embassies program is an entity that works successfully toward just that end.
A couple of weeks ago I received the very welcome honor/request that I loan another of my pieces through Art in Embassies, this time to Patrick Murphy, the new US ambassador to Cambodia. The piece he chose will hang within his residence for the length of his tour in Phnom Penh. It was an added delight when the curator shared with me that Ambassador Murphy is a Vermonter and wanted to showcase artists from his home state.
Passages, One ©2006 Elizabeth Fram, 32 x 33 inches, Hand-dye and hand-stitching on cotton and silk
My previous post The Universal Language, touches on the idea of art as a means of bringing countries together. If you’re looking for some uplifting holiday down-time, follow the links within it to the PBS series Craft in America which has two fabulous episodes you can stream online, highlighting the ongoing cultural exchange between the US and Mexico. The post also shares further information about the Art in Embassies program, an opportunity I would encourage all US artists to explore.
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And speaking of Craft in America, if you’re a shibori fan, tune in on December 27th (check your local PBS listings) to see Judith Content discuss her work in the episode Craft in America: Quilts.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
Congratulations, Betsy!
Thanks Leslie!
Fabulous news! Always so nice to be invited.
Enjoy your holidays
Judy
You’re right, an invitation is its own sort of special.
Happy Holidays to you and yours as well.
Congrats – that’s awesome! Are you going to plan a visit to Cambodia?
That’s a very good question!
Congratulations, Betsy! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Lynn.
It’s been less than 10 degrees here the last couple of days. I think you made the right decision for yourself this month! 🙂
Your art is traveling to Cambodia! What a honor to have pieces of work all over the world. Congratulations!
So nice to hear from you, Ellen! Thanks for your encouragement!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday…