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![Ambassador Garvey with Cameroonian artists. [Photo by Justin Nkengne, Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy]](/uploads/FL/HN/FLHNA8bETp_t88BabbEBTQ/AMB-with-Cameroonian-Painters.jpg)
Ambassador’s Art in Embassy – Bridging the Cultural Divide
On January 29, 2009 Ambassador Garvey welcomed guests to her Residence for a reception featuring a showing of the ART in Embassies exhibition. ART in Embassies (http://aiep.state.gov/) is a program of the United States Department of State that provides international cultural communication through the display of original American art in U.S. ambassadorial residences around the world. The American art chosen for the exhibition at Ambassador Garvey’s residence comes from and/or is focused on the Ambassador’s native state of Massachusetts. The works, which depict landscapes, historical memorials, the steel-blue of the northern Atlantic Ocean, and the role of technology in modern life, will be on display in Ambassador Garvey’s residence during her entire stay in Cameroon. As a sign of friendship to the people of Cameroon, for the January 29 showing of the exhibit Ambassador Garvey invited 4 Cameroonian artists to also display selections of their work at the Residence. About 75 guests attended the reception, including representatives from Cameroon’s Ministry of Culture, members of the diplomatic community, directors of cultural centers and institutions, and art students from local universities. The event highlighted the importance of artistic and cultural programming as a diplomatic tool. As Ambassador Garvey stated, “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.” A renowned Cameroonian artist who attended the reception congratulated the U.S Embassy for taking such an initiative and regretted the lack-luster attitude toward art in Cameroon. “We deeply appreciate the fact that the U.S. Embassy has set an example of supporting the arts and has created an event for Cameroonian artists to come together to share their experiences,” he said. More information on the ART in Embassies exhibit at Ambassador Garvey’s residence can be found at http://yaounde.usembassy.gov/art_in_embassies.html.