2008 Press Releases

US Ambassador Launches Art Exhibit at Official Residence (11 Mar 08)

Press Release
US Embassy, Freetown
Contact: Danna Van Brandt
Tel: 515-000

Ambassador June Carter Perry and Mr. Frederick Perry officially launched the art exhibit that will be on display at their residence for the next 3 years.  The program was attended by Government Ministers, artists, educators, diplomats, and others in the cultural community.

Established by the United States Department of State in 1964, the Art in Embassies Program is a global museum that exhibits original works of art by U.S. citizens in the homes of 180 American Ambassadors worldwide. The exhibitions are comprised of art loaned from galleries, museums, individual artists, and corporate and private collections. 

The exhibit in Sierra Leone provides visitors to the Ambassador’s residence with a sense of the quality, scope, and diversity of American art.  The works on display present the accomplishments of some of the United States’ most important citizens, artists.

Americans are proud of the nation’s diversity, and the works in the exhibit capture the peoples who play a role in making the United States the dynamic country that it is. Edward Curtis’ photos illustrate the richness of Native American culture.  Gloria C. Clark uses the juxtaposition of photos and artifacts to portray the complex layers of African American family histories.

To celebrate the historical connections between Sierra Leone and the United States we have selected works that explore the symbolic elements of African American life.  Jacob Lawrence’s Revolt on the Amistad, depicts the uprising led by Sengbe Pieh, which has had a lasting impact on both our countries.  Rawn McCloud has explored the culture of the Gullah people of South Carolina and Georgia, who are descendants of Sierra Leoneans brought to the United States as slaves.

Artistic and cultural programming has been at the heart of American diplomacy for many years.  Even in situations where the United States has found no common ground with host countries, art has the power to unite people who are otherwise divided.  In Sierra Leone, Ambassador Perry is happy to share this exhibit as one of many points of friendship and cooperation.