Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies - FAPE

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Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies - FAPE FAPE is the the public-private
partnership dedicated to providing permanent works of American art for U.S. embassies worldwide. FAPE contributes to the U.S.

Department of State's mission of cultural diplomacy by partnering with American artists whose gifts encourage cross-cultural understanding within the diplomatic community and the international public. FAPE fulfills its mission through site-specific commissions, an original print collection, preservation projects, and other arts initiatives. All artworks commissioned or placed by FAPE are gifts, representing generosity among some of the country's greatest artists. As of 2022, FAPE's donations include permanent works by more than 240 preeminent American artists placed in more than 140 countries.

Congratulations to María Elena González whose seminal installation work, “Mnemonic Architecture”, was recently acquired ...
09/25/2026

Congratulations to María Elena González whose seminal installation work, “Mnemonic Architecture”, was recently acquired by the National Gallery of Art. It is the first work by the artist to enter our nation’s museum.

In 2024, we were pleased to install Maria Elena’s “Lead Tower” in the lobby at the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland. Maria said about the work then, “I would be so honored to have my work at the U.S. Embassy in Switzerland for several reasons. The piece is greatly influenced by Swiss vernacular architecture and salt towers, specifically from the Engadine. The current Ambassador, The Honorable Scott C. Miller, is a supporter of LGBTQ+ communities. And, for personal reasons, I have the paperwork from the Swiss Embassy in Havana, Cuba, processing my parents request to leave the country and I lived in Basel for seven years. Switzerland is my 3rd homeland (heimat).”

Images:

FAPE President Emerita Ann L. Gund, artist María Elena González and FAPE Board member Eleanor Acquavella

Installation view of “Mnemonic Architecture” at the Bronx Museum of Art, 2002

Left: María Elena González, “Lead Tower”, 2008. Salt tower building, cream plexi inside, p-95 exterior and lead house top, 79 x 26 x 26 inches. Gift of Agnes Gund and Ann L. Gund.Right: Roy Lichtenstein, “Composition III”, 1995. Gift of the artist and Gemini G.E.L.

Congratulations to FAPE Board member Jack Shear who is being honored tomorrow at the annual Art Omi Upstate Benefit! Jac...
09/25/2026

Congratulations to FAPE Board member Jack Shear who is being honored tomorrow at the annual Art Omi Upstate Benefit! Jack is being recognized for his extraordinary contributions as a philanthropist, collector, curator, and photographer. He has been a longtime advocate for the arts and has generously supported organizations throughout Colombia County and beyond.

We are thrilled to share that Jack will be donating this year’s edition to our Photography Collection. His four photographs will be unveiled at our 2026 Annual Events in Washington, D.C. on October 14. Click the link in our bio to learn more.

Image:

FAPE Board member Jack Shear and FAPE Chairman Jo Carole Lauder at FAPE’s 2024 Annual Events

Join us for our annual Sharon Percy Rockefeller Panel Presentation, “FAPE’s Gift to the National Gallery: American Art a...
09/23/2026

Join us for our annual Sharon Percy Rockefeller Panel Presentation, “FAPE’s Gift to the National Gallery: American Art at Home and Abroad”, at the National Gallery on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 1:00 PM.

HARRY COOPER, Moderator, Bunny Mellon Curator of Modern Art

SHELLEY LANGDALE, Curator and Head of Department of Modern Prints and Drawings

JAMES MEYER, Curator of Modern Art

DIANE WAGGONER, Acting Head and Curator of Photographs

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and FAPE’s 40th, FAPE is honored to contribute the works in its Original Print and Photography Collections to our nation’s museum. The collection is being donated in honor of beloved FAPE Board member Agnes Gund.

National Gallery Bunny Mellon Curator of Modern Art Harry Cooper and distinguished curators will discuss FAPE’s gift, exploring how American art and artists both contribute perceptions of the country’s history and culture at home and abroad to inspire, bridge cultures, and foster mutual understanding.

The Sharon Percy Rockefeller Panel Series is held each year during FAPE’s Annual Events in Washington, D.C. It recognizes Sharon for her extraordinary commitment to the arts, the National Gallery of Art, and FAPE. Agnes Gund generously sponsored this annual talk.

Click the link in our bio to register.

Images:

Photo Credit: National Gallery of Art

Carrie Mae Weems, “Echoes For Marian”, 2014. Gift of the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies to the National Gallery of Art

Portrait of Agnes Gund, © 2013 Timothy Greenfield-Sanders

Sharon Percy Rockefeller, Photo by Cable Risdon

Congratulations to artist Martin Puryear; The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation; and Ann Temkin, The Marie-Josée and Henry ...
09/18/2026

Congratulations to artist Martin Puryear; The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation; and Ann Temkin, The Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture at The Museum of Modern Art, for being honored at the Archives of American Art 2026 Gala! FAPE is proud to join the Archives in celebrating the honorees and their remarkable contributions to the American art world.

We are thrilled to share that Martin Puryear will be donating this year’s edition to our Original Print Collection. The work is a second state of the print he originally published with Paulson Fontaine Press based on “Connecting,” his site-specific sculpture for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. The etching will be unveiled at our Annual Events on October 14th in Washington, D.C.

Clifford Ross, FAPE artist and Chair Emeritus of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, will also join us on October 14th to lead a conversation surrounding his monumental installation, “Digital Waves,” on display at the National Gallery of Art through October 18th. To learn more about the Events, click the link in our bio.

Ann Temkin has been a great friend of FAPE. We were delighted to have Frank Stella’s “Hanoi Star” on display at The Museum of Modern Art’s Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden in the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025. We are tremendously grateful to Ann for being instrumental in ensuring the installation’s success.

Congratulations, Martin, The Frankenthaler Foundation, and Ann!

Images:

Martin Puryear

Martin Puryear, “Connecting,” 2018. Gift of the artist with additional funding provided by Bank of America, The Honorable Ronald S. Lauder and Mrs. Jo Carole Lauder, Nancy and Howard Marks, and Maria Hummer-Tuttle and Robert Tuttle. Donated in honor of Agnes Gund.

Helen Frankenthaler

Clifford Ross, “Digital Waves,” 2026, computer-generated video, National Gallery of Art, Promised Gift of an anonymous donor, © Clifford Ross.

Ann Temkin

Frank Stella, “Hanoi Star,“ 2024. Installed at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Gift of the artist with additional funding provided by Bank of America, Ford Foundation, Agnes

Please join us in wishing FAPE President Eden Rafshoon a very happy birthday! FAPE is endlessly grateful to Eden for her...
09/17/2026

Please join us in wishing FAPE President Eden Rafshoon a very happy birthday! FAPE is endlessly grateful to Eden for her extraordinary contributions to our organization.

Eden has been a steadfast advocate for FAPE for more than three decades, bringing her expertise, vision, and unwavering dedication to our program. Since becoming FAPE’s President in 2009, she has guided the organization with a deep commitment to its mission, serving as the official Board liaison to the State Department.

From FAPE’s site-specific installations in Guangzhou and Beijing to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York City and the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Eden has been at the forefront of our work around the world. A true champion of FAPE’s artists, she has supported their creativity while advancing our nation’s vital cultural diplomacy efforts.

September 11, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of 2001. We join our country in honoring all first r...
09/11/2026

September 11, 2026, marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of 2001. We join our country in honoring all first responders and those who were lost.

“Joel Meyerowitz: Aftermath” is on display at Nova Southeastern University Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale, FL, through February 14, 2027. The exhibition features 28 large-scale color photographs by the artist documenting the World Trade Center following September 11. Meyerowitz was the only photographer granted continuous artistic access to the site.

In 2002, these images became the focus of a traveling exhibition presented by former Secretary of State Colin Powell. The exhibition traveled to 90 countries and 300 cities, where more than 4 million people saw the aftermath of the attacks.

For more information, click the link in our bio.

Images:

Joel Meyerowitz, “The North Wall, New York City”, 2001. Collection NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale; Gift of Joel Meyerowitz.

Joel Meyerowitz, “Ironworkers, New York City”, 2001. Collection NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale; Gift of Joel Meyerowitz.

Joel Meyerowitz, “Group of policemen”, 2001. Collection NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale; Gift of Joel Meyerowitz.

Happy Labor Day!Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic ac...
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.

Image:

Harold E. Edgerton, “Paper Mill Worker”, 1937, Gelatin silver print, 8 ⅜ x 9 ⅞ inches, Gift of Arlette and Gus Kayafas, Photo: Lee Stalsworth

Please join us in sending our warmest birthday wishes to FAPE’s incredible Vice President, Darren Walker!Darren, your ex...
08/28/2026

Please join us in sending our warmest birthday wishes to FAPE’s incredible Vice President, Darren Walker!

Darren, your extraordinary energy, generosity, and passion for the arts and culture inspire us every day.

Thank you for your leadership, vision, and enthusiasm. We are so grateful for everything you do.

Happy Birthday, Darren!

Images:

FAPE Chairman Jo Carole Lauder and FAPE Vice President Darren Walker

FAPE Board member Jack Shear and FAPE Vice President Darren Walker

FAPE Vice President Darren Walker and artist Avis Collins Robinson

Artist Dawoud Bey and FAPE Vice President Darren Walker

In celebration of National Dog Day pictured here are FAPE’s furriest friends! Images:FAPE Chairman Jo Carole Lauder and ...
08/26/2026

In celebration of National Dog Day pictured here are FAPE’s furriest friends!

Images:

FAPE Chairman Jo Carole Lauder and Jane Lauder, with Jo Carole’s dog Henrietta in Jane’s arms and Jane’s dog seated, Photo: William Wegman

Emma and Murphy
Eleanor Acquavella, FAPE Board member

Dolly
Christian Keesee, FAPE Board member

Cupcake
Sydie Lansing, FAPE Board member

Maisie
Carol Mack, FAPE Board member

Hugo
Olga Votis, FAPE Board member

Enzo and Schatzi
Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer, FAPE Board Member

Ellie
Jennifer Duncan, FAPE Director

Ranger
Cait O’Connor, FAPE Senior Advisor

Congratulations to Claudia Pettway and Loretta Bennett on their inspiring Ralph Lauren x Gee’s Bend collaboration as par...
08/06/2026

Congratulations to Claudia Pettway and Loretta Bennett on their inspiring Ralph Lauren x Gee’s Bend collaboration as part of the program. We’re thrilled to see this remarkable initiative bring even greater recognition to these artists and the enduring legacy of the Gee’s Bend quilting community.

In 2007, Bennett, along with fellow Gee’s Bend artists Mary Lee Bendolph, Louisiana Bendolph, and Loretta Pettway, generously created works for FAPE’s Original Print Collection. Today, these prints hang in U.S. embassies around the world, introducing international audiences to their powerful and distinctly American artistic tradition.

Image one, clockwise from top left:

Loretta Bennett, “Yellow Jack”, 2006, Gift of the artist and Paulson Fontaine Press

Loretta Pettway, “Bricklayer”, 2007, Gift of the artist and Paulson Fontaine Press

Mary Lee Bendolph, “Down the Road”, 2006, Gift of the artist and Paulson Fontaine Press

Louisiana Bendolph, “Still have Joy/Tears of Pride”, 2007, Gift of the artist and Paulson Fontaine Press

Image two:
Gee’s Bend artists with Diana Negroponte, former Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte, former Under Secretary of State for Management Henrietta Ford, and FAPE Chairman Jo Carole Lauder.

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+12023493865

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