Art in Embassies Wraps up 60th anniversary with Democracy Collections
Art in Embassies (AIE) Director Megan Beyer (right) and Chief Curator Camille Benton (left) announced new art collections at the 60th anniversary celebration dinner of AIE, Sept. 19. The donated collections are under blanket long-term loans and will be available for immediate delivery to chief of mission residences as new U.S. ambassadors head to post. The Clarice Smith Collection is offered by the artist’s son, David Bruce Smith, and the Creative Growth Collection is offered by a non-profit that supports artists with developmental disabilities. These collections, and others like them, will advance art diplomacy at U.S. embassies around the globe. more in State Magazine
Photo © Tony Powell. Art in Embassies 60th Anniversary Celebration. National Museum of American History. September 19, 2023
Art in Embassies Announces The Clarice Smith Collection
U.S. Department of State – Media Note
October 19, 2023
As the United States approaches its 250th year, the State Department’s Art in Embassies program is working with cultural institutions, artists, families, and galleries to curate art collections that promote U.S. diplomacy.
The first collection, The Clarice Smith Collection, comprises 72 artworks by Washington, D.C.-based artist Clarice Smith. These pieces encompass portraits, landscapes, and still-lifes rendered in oil, pastel, and watercolor. They will immediately become available for exhibit in U.S. embassies and Ambassadors’ residences under long-term loan agreements.
Clarice Smith, a passionate advocate for U.S. diplomacy, supported cultural diplomacy through Art in Embassies’ partner, the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE). Additionally, she collaborated with her son, David Bruce Smith, on a series of engaging biographies introducing young students to leading figures who played pivotal roles in shaping our democracy.
Art in Embassies Director Megan Beyer and Chief Curator Camille Benton announced the Collection during Art in Embassies’ 60th anniversary dinner with ambassadors and cultural leaders at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
The Clarice Smith Collection is made possible by David Bruce Smith’s Grateful American Foundation.
The Office of Art in Embassies, established in 1963, plays a crucial role in U.S. public diplomacy, connecting nations through curated exhibitions. It showcases the innovation and cultural prowess of the United States and fosters cross-cultural connections.
For more information about Art in Embassies, visit art.state.gov. Press inquiries can be sent to Megan Beyer at BeyerMC@state.gov.