James B. Smith,US ambassador hosts art exhibition

US Ambassador to Riyadh James B. Smith and his wife Dr. Janet Breslin-Smith hosted on Sunday night at their Riyadh residence the “ART in Embassies” exhibition dubbed “Connecting Families,” which was attended by media and both Saudi and American artists. The US ambassador’s residence is named after the USS Quincy, the battleship on which President Franklin D. Roosevelt met with King Abdulaziz more than 60 years ago and established strong bonds of friendship between the two nations. The highlights of the art exhibition, among others, include the work of Saudi youth artists. The paintings of Dalal Al-Otibi, who teaches contemporary arts at Princess Nourah University, riveted visitors. “I really did not expect that my work would be selected by the US Embassy and be on display at the residence of the American Ambassador,” Dalal told Arab News. “I am so excited and happy to see my work being given that prominence. This will encourage me and Saudi youth to do more works of art,” Al-Otibi said. These exhibits include “The Door of the Kaaba” by Soha Alzaid, among others. Also on view is the work of Wolf Kahn. Speaking on the sidelines of the exhibition, the ambassador told Arab News: “We’ve come to understand the importance of family to the people of Saudi Arabia. Family is equally important to Americans, and the quilt, passed down from generation to generation, is a symbol of family in our culture.” He added that he took his inspiration from US President Barack Obama, when he said: “There are many more things that bind us rather than separate us.” He said this show would help in creating a family bonding atmosphere and make things easier for those people who could not travel to the US to see these pieces. “We want to share this experience with others. Janet and I are proud to continue to celebrate these longstanding and warm ties by displaying in our home fine pieces of art that represent a part of the rich cultural heritage of the United States,” the ambassador said. Noting the art exhibition displays quilts from his family and extends to other pieces that reflect the US and Saudi Arabia’s shared appreciation for the beauty of natural landscapes, he said these exhibits project abiding values and symbolize creative expression. According to Smith, these works of art have come through the US Department of State’s “ART in Embassies” (AIE) program that places art in US embassies and official residences around the world. “We are pleased to participate in this outstanding cultural program and to bring the work of so many talented American artists to our home in Saudi Arabia for our friends and guests to enjoy.” Established in 1963, The US Department of State’s AIE office plays a vital role in US public diplomacy through a culture of expansive mission, creating temporary and permanent exhibitions, artist programming, and publications. The Museum of Modern Art first envisioned this global visual arts program a decade earlier. In the early 1960s, President John F Kennedy formalized it, naming the program’s first director. Now with over 200 venues, AIE curates temporary and permanent exhibitions for all US chanceries, consulates, and embassy residences worldwide, selecting and commissioning contemporary art from the US and the host countries. These exhibitions provide international audiences with a sense of quality, scope, and diversity of both countries’ art and culture, establishing AIE’s presence in more countries than any other US foundation or arts organization. AIE’s exhibitions allow foreign citizens, many of whom might never travel to the United States, to personally experience the depth and breadth of US artistic heritage and values, so that a “footprint can be left where people have no opportunity to see American art.” Quoting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: “The ART in Embassies program reveals the rich history and culture heritage of the United States and the communal experience that we share with peoples of different countries, background and faiths, binding us closer together. Through its temporary exhibition and permanent collections, the ART in Embassies program intrigues, educates, and connects — playing an ambassadorial role as important as that served by traditional diplomacy” Maha Al-Senan, a Saudi postdoctoral fellow, was the center of attraction for her role in bringing Saudi artists and their work together. She told Arab News that by organizing this exhibition at the residence of the US Ambassador, viewers can appreciate the importance of the arts and values behind these fine arts. “The Saudi works on display are different from American works just like in our relations, where there are differences and common points that bind us.” Talking about her role in bringing Saudi artists together, Al-Senan said: “I was asked to collect these pieces from Saudi artists and was able to bring them here. This indicates that the American Embassy’s mission is not only a political one, but also includes culture. They show what they have and we show what we have. This exhibition at the ambassador’s house display rare pieces from the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and the Ministry of Culture and Information.” Discussing Saudi family relations, Breslin-Smith, wife of the ambassador, told Arab News that in line with the diplomatic mission to build relations, she and her husband visit provinces in Saudi Arabia almost every week. “We have visited Abha, Najran, Yanbu, Eastern Province and Qaseem. So wherever we go, we tried to meet with families and have dinner with them. In my case I go to the women’s university, because I was a university professor myself. We have also 50 different nationalities working at the embassy. I am trying to learn Arabic too,” she added.