Art in Embassies

When I was originally contacted by a curator, asking if I wanted to participate in the U.S. State Department's Art in Embassies program, in Mbabane, Africa, I thought perhaps it was a scam. However, I am happy to report that Art is Embassies is in fact an amazing program dedicated to "cross-cultural dialogue and understanding through the visual arts and dynamic artist exchange." It was imagined and initiated by the Museum of Modern Art in the early 50s, and realized as a diplomatic initiative by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. My piece Susquehanna Isle, is part of the current Art in Embassies exhibition at the United States Embassy in Mbabane as part of a long tradition of art as cross-cultural conversation starter. I like to think that my piece also works as a touchstone to home for the ambassador.