Leading D.C. Art Foundation Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Smithsonian's Archives of American Art Medal

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE), the leading non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the United States' image abroad through American art, announced today that the leaders of FAPE – Ann L. Gund, Jo Carole Lauder, Wendy W. Luers, Carol Price and Eden Rafshoon – will receive the Smithsonian Archives of American Art Medal on behalf of the organization at the Archives' Annual Benefit in New York City on October 25, 2011. The award comes during FAPE's 25th Anniversary, and celebrates a quarter-century of FAPE's contributions of American art to the U.S. Department of State for display in U.S. embassies around the world.  

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Since FAPE's founding in 1986, each Secretary of State has lent support to the organization. Secretaries of State George Shultz, James Baker, Warren Christopher, Madeleine Albright, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton have provided the leadership to ensure the success of FAPE's public-private partnership. With their commitment, FAPE has been able to fulfill its mission of using art as a way to engage citizens around the world in open, cross-cultural dialogue.

FAPE has donated works by more than 208 preeminent American artists that have been placed in more than 140 countries. This work has been accomplished through three primary programs: Site-Specific Collection, the Lee Kimche McGrath Original Print Collection, and the Gift to the Nation Collection.  FAPE's largest project to date, the highly celebrated Collection at the United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN), was completed last year in honor of FAPE's Anniversary. Each of these projects marks a significant milestone in the foundation's 25-year history.

As a recipient of the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art Medal, FAPE joins past award winners that include John Baldessari, Eli Broad, Chuck Close, Paula Cooper, Andre Emmerich, Agnes Gund, Ellsworth Kelly, Ellen Phelan, Joel Shapiro, among others. The award, established in 1988, honors leaders in the field of American art.

Ellen Phelan, artist and event chair, noted that, "The Archives of American Art is very proud to honor the history and contributions of FAPE, a remarkable organization that steadfastly pursues a course of quiet cultural diplomacy for our country. This award could not have gone to a more distinguished organization working to support the American arts. We congratulate FAPE on 25 years of hard work and great achievement and look forward to its continued success."

Jo Carole Lauder, FAPE Chairman and award recipient, said "The Archives of American Art is the world's foremost resource dedicated to collecting and preserving the papers and primary records of the visual arts in America.  FAPE is honored to be recognized by such a prestigious organization, and shares the Archives' deep commitment to the preservation and celebration of American art."

FAPE will be awarded the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art Medal at the Archives' Annual Benefit to be held on October 25 at 583 Park in New York City. For more information about FAPE, the award or for press photos of the event, please email the media contacts below.

About The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies

The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE) is the leading non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the United States image abroad through American art. Founded as a public-private, non-partisan partnership in 1986, FAPE works with the U.S. Department of State to contribute fine art to U.S. embassies around the world. FAPE's donations include works by more than 208 preeminent American artists placed in more than 140 countries.  Headquartered in Washington D.C., FAPE has raised over $60 million in art and monetary contributions to date. For more information, please visit www.fapeglobal.org.

About The Smithsonian's Archives of American Art

The Smithsonian's Archives of American Art enlivens the extraordinary human stories behind America's most significant art and artists. It is the world's preeminent resource dedicated to collecting and preserving the papers and primary records of the visual arts in America. Constantly growing in range and depth, and ever increasing in accessibility to its many audiences, it is a vibrant, unparalleled and essential resource for the appreciation, enjoyment and understanding of art in America. For more information, please visit www.aaa.si.edu

Media Contacts

For the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies:
Radha Vij/Gutenberg Communications
212.239.8741
[email protected]

For the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art:
Marissa Hoechstetter
212.399.2909
[email protected]

SOURCE The Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE)