• The Smithsonian Institution Archives of American Art Benefit

    Date posted: November 21, 2011 Author: jolanta
    Art Foundations are a dying breed.  They’ve been under threat from conservatives for everything from wasting taxpayer’s money to anti-religious sentiments.  FAPE –  The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE), is leading the way for how they can continue to thrive in the 21st century.  This past October FAPE honored Ann L. Gund, Jo Carole Lauder, Wendy W. Luers, Carol Price and Eden Rafshoon.  Each of whom received the Smithsonian Archives of American Art Medal on behalf of the organization at the Archives’ Annual Benefit.

    “It’s a foundation bent on spreading cross-cultural dialogue, engaging people of all walks of life on a grand scale.”

     

    Photo Credit:  Michael Seto.

     

    The Smithsonian Institution Archives of American Art Benefit
    NY Arts

    Art Foundations are a dying breed.  They’ve been under threat from conservatives for everything from wasting taxpayer’s money to anti-religious sentiments.  FAPE –  The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE), is leading the way for how they can continue to thrive in the 21st century.  This past October FAPE honored Ann L. Gund, Jo Carole Lauder, Wendy W. Luers, Carol Price and Eden Rafshoon.  Each of whom received the Smithsonian Archives of American Art Medal on behalf of the organization at the Archives’ Annual Benefit. The award is in conjunction with with FAPE’s 25th Anniversary and commemorates an extensive worldwide project – to contribute American art to the U.S. Department of State for display in U.S. embassies around the world.

    It’s a foundation bent on spreading cross-cultural dialogue, engaging people of all walks of life on a grand scale.  To date FAPE has placed a couple hundred works in over 140 countries with top names including Chuck Close, Sol LeWitt, and John Baldessari.   And this October dozens of artists, writers, and a spread of donors were at the  annual gala at the Smithsonian.  Cindy Sherman and Dore Ashton were also there to receive awards in what is being called “The Year of The Woman.”  Both art world lovelies gave brief onstage appearances.  This year’s theme is highly relevant, as one hopes to see more women in prestigious collections and as honorees instead of doling out medals.  And one has to applaud the efforts of FAPE to bring a variety of people who don’t often hang out in the same rooms.

    Photo Credit:  Michael Seto.
    The board of trustees is a handful of genuine individuals who truly believe in art and its capacity to change our world.  And this project is directly involved in creating relationships that whilst serving hierarchical structures, also serve to expand the scope and breadth of art around the world and thus influence new perspectives and critical discourse other than mass media.

    *** This article was published by NY Arts Magazine, 2011. NY Arts Magazine is published by Abraham Lubelski. Sponsored by Broadway Gallery, NYC and World Art Media.

     


     

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