“I have found that when hands and minds come together through common materials in pursuit of art, hearts and minds open. There is a tremendous amount of inherent talent and practical intelligence in all cultures. What we have in common is that we all want to add value to something greater than ourselves.”Read More
“In a world where communications are increasingly complex and languages seem even more abstract, I believe that art brings a vocabulary and syntax that is universal, compassionate and intimate.”Read More
“It is critical that we all learn how to listen and feel for those who have life experiences and are born under circumstances different from our own. The visual arts can give voice to narratives some may not otherwise hear.”Read More
I think that in my case it is very important because a lot of youth gravitate to graffiti and street art. Yet there is a stigma that precedes graffiti – that it is an act of vandalism and it could be – but there are countless other roots and branches to this tree. This kind...Read More
“In general my research revealed the vital importance in the link between the cultural practices of indigenous artisan weavers and wood carvers [whose] work expresses the wonders of nature and the natural world to those actively working to preserve it. Clean waters, flora, fauna and marine life will be represented and pictured in my work...Read More
“I am still amazed by all I was able to do as an Art in Embassies exchange artist, in Kyiv… in a single week. Every time someone asks about my experience I remember another wonderful detail. I am anxious to see how the people I met, the topics we discussed, and the landmarks, galleries, museums,...Read More
“In general my research revealed the vital importance in the link between the cultural practices of indigenous artisan weavers and wood carvers [whose] work expresses the wonders of nature and the natural world to those actively working to preserve it. Clean waters, flora, fauna and marine life will be represented and pictured in my work...Read More
“On Friday March 24th, after a long, grueling day of completing the installation, and even though I had to be at the airport at 5:15 am the next morning, filled with the hope of watching giant leatherback sea turtles lay eggs, I took a late-night excursion to one of the Surinamese shores and had the...Read More
In September of 2016, artist Courtney Leonard traveled to Switzerland, to conduct a two day exchange program in coordination with the Permanent Mission of the United States of America to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, where Ambassador Keith M. Harper was serving as the United States Permanent Representative to the United...Read More
"Hopefully, through my art and sharing my process and the ideas that I contemplate when making my work about understanding materials and concepts of sustainability, I connected with some kindred spirits and inspired others to begin to take these concepts into consideration in their own art making processes. Sustainability and caring for our environment and...Read More
"Art has no walls.. by traveling to Benin, and meeting with local artists.. sharing our art and art making- processes we were able to transcend language, find common ground and discover that our lives and goals were not so different."Read More
“As a full time working faculty member at Denison University and a full time gallery artist…the hours I have in a week to myself are extremely limited. I feel like the days spent in Prague and Pilsen were worth the time spent away from my daily schedule. To see and understand the Czech artists and...Read More
In March of 2016, artist Catherine Opie and Philip Taaffe traveled to Madrid to speak to and engage with Spanish art students and art professionals about their work, and their artistic connection to Spain.Read More
In March of 2016, artist Catherine Opie and Philip Taaffe traveled to Madrid to speak to and engage with Spanish art students and art professionals about their work, and their artistic connection to Spain.Read More
“Facts, pedagogy, mythologies, policies can be readily found and shared over the internet, but the unexpected occurs when people come face to face. I went to Riga with much curiosity. I left Riga wanting to return and further engage with people there.”Read More
"In May of 2016 I was lucky to find myself in Paramaribo, Suriname, following an invitation by the U.S. State Department, to come - see - meet – learn and explore. The sheer vastness of the Suriname Rain Forest with its thousands of tree and plant species including important medicinal herbs and plants, 674 species...Read More
“I found it fascinating to see up close how positive the role of the American Embassy can be and found that it was all I could have hoped for.”Read More
“First of all it was an honor to be asked by the U.S. Ambassador to have one of my sculptures. I am truly appreciative of that. Second it has opened my eyes and broadened my horizons for making positive contributions and interaction with other artists around the planet. The more we exchange ideas, the closer...Read More
