Georgetown, Guyana – On June 21, 2012, U.S. Ambassador D. Brent Hardt and Mrs. Hardt hosted a reception attended by Samuel Hinds, Prime Minister performing duties as President of the Republic of Guyana; Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport Frank Anthony; representatives of the diplomatic community; and local Guyanese artists and cultural figures to open the Ambassador’s ART in Embassies exhibition and to celebrate fifty years of ART in Embassies.  The event promoted cultural and artistic exchange by showcasing both American and Guyanese art at the Ambassador’s residence.  The American artwork features paintings that capture the natural beauty of the Ambassador’s home state of Maine.  The Guyanese artwork ranged from colorful scenic paintings by Merlene Ellis and O’Donna Allsopp, to beautifully sculpted pieces by Winslow Craig, Desmond Alli, and Aiesha Scottland.

 

Ambassador Hardt said he was delighted to share the thirteen works of American art with the people of Guyana and to join them with the creative talents of five Guyanese artists.  He observed that diplomacy is about finding commonalities while understanding and appreciating differences, and added that he hoped this exhibition would provide a frame of reference for finding common ground.  The Ambassador said that the United States seeks to promote freedom of expression and understanding through visual arts, and noted that the mandate of the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport also encourages such cultural development and partnerships.  President, Acting Samuel Hinds enthusiastically welcomed the exchange of arts and culture and encouraged the continued support of local Guyanese artists.

 

The ART in Embassies program was created in 1963 and launched by United States President John F. Kennedy to create cross-cultural dialogues and understanding through the visual arts.

The program is one of the United States’ premier public-private partnership arts organizations, with over 20,000 individual and institutional participants, and a presence in some 200 venues within 189 countries worldwide.  Each U.S. Ambassador assembles an exhibition to share with the people in countries where they serve to share the richness of American artistic expression and promote cultural connections.