Celebrating Artists with Disabilities - Art in Embassies Accepts Quilt from former U.S. Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith and VSA Tennessee

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Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

July 14, 2015

Art in Embassies is pleased to announce its acceptance of the 40 Days Around The World Quilt, a unique work of art generously donated to the Department of State by former U.S. Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith on behalf of VSA Tennessee (a state affiliate of VSA, The International Organization on Arts, Education and Disability). The quilt patches together a collection of colorful squares submitted by VSA affiliate artists from 36 different states and 39 countries. Serving as a reminder of the creative accomplishments and abilities of all people, it will be displayed at U.S. diplomatic facilities around the world for many years to come.

On Friday, July 24, the quilt will be presented to Art in Embassies at a special reception in the U.S. Capitol (10-12 p.m., Room HVC201). The event will feature a multimedia presentation by VSA Tennessee, as well as remarks by Art in Embassies Director Ellen Susman and the Honorable Jean Kennedy Smith. Although the event will be free and open to the public, advance registration is required. Please RSVP to Lori Kissinger userk7706@comcast.net or (615) 210-8819 no later than July 20.

Art in Embassies (art.state.gov) plays a leading role in U.S. public diplomacy by promoting cross-cultural dialogue through the visual arts. As a premier example of a public-private partnership, with over 20,000 individual and institutional partners, AIE maintains a presence in more than 200 venues in 190 countries worldwide.

For more information about VSA Tennessee and the quilt project, please visit: vsatn.org.

Press Contact: Roman Petruniak, Art in Embassies, PetruniakRJ@state.gov or (703)875-4209.