Join us on January 5, 2025 from 3:00 pm- 5:00 pm.
Happy Hour at Chef Geoff from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm.
Dear members and friends of AAFSW,
I am delighted to announce the closing event of AAFSW’s Art and Diplomacy Series. Join us on January 5, 2025, from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm at the National United Methodist Church, 3401 Nebraska Ave., NW, Washington, DC, to welcome the new year and celebrate the success of our exhibition.
I am sharing the words of the artists from the opening. Join us with your loved ones and friends to meet the artists and show your support. The exhibition has been an incredible platform to highlight the talents and inspirations within our foreign service community. We believe that art has a unifying effect, bringing people together and fostering a sense of community.
We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating the enriching power of art and the mutual understanding of our global village and culture. After the event, please join us for Happy Hour at Chef Geoff, 3201 New Mexico Ave, NW, Washington, DC, 20026.
Happy Holidays!
Warm regards,
Celine Ford
President, AAFSW
From the Artists:
Andrea
“The arts are powerful diplomacy and international relations tools, facilitating cross-cultural understanding and cooperation. Art transcends language barriers, creating empathy and promoting soft power. As a diplomatic spouse, I have lived in many countries, including Jamaica, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
I have witnessed the meaning of art in various forms, from skillful wood carvings to finely painted porcelains and Ikat clothing. In Uzbekistan, the richness of their culture, which evolved from trading along the Silk Road, is expressed in handmade artworks such as wood-carved columns, painted ceramics, and Ikat clothing. Tashkent International Women’s Group allowed me to meet talented artists who incorporate Uzbek symbols, such as pomegranates and chili peppers, into their work.
These symbols connect cultures and create meaningful connections. My fluid art fascinated many Uzbek artists, and my works were featured in local galleries and a museum in Tashkent.
This multicultural cooperation exemplifies how art brings diplomacy to life and encourages dialogues about social and political issues.”
Andrew
“As a documentary photographer, writer, and explorer, I am a proud member of The Explorer's Club, the Nautical Archaeological Society, an Eagle Scout, and a Dive Master. My journey began working for newspapers as a staff writer and photographer, which eventually led me to spend years on documentary projects in Mexico, Central America, Eastern Europe, and South Asia. Often, I partnered with humanitarian and medical missions, specializing in documenting relief programs, expeditions, and archaeological projects in remote and usually austere environments.
My work focuses on people and the environments in which they live, migration, and borderlands, both existential and metaphysical. I have worked for the U.S. Department of State as an EFM in Mumbai, India, Monterrey, Mexico, and Guatemala City, Guatemala. These experiences have enriched my perspective and deepened my commitment to capturing the human condition through my lens.
My work has been shown in numerous exhibitions, featured on ABC News, and published by National Geographic Press, Field Photographer, National Public Radio, Human Nature, Black and White Magazine, Wired Online Magazine, Minority Rights International, and many other publications. Currently, I am working on projects concerning the sacred and secular geography of the Ganges River, the U.S./Mexico Border, and issues of migration, public health, and water.”
Nicole
“My name is Nicole Tobin. First and foremost, thank you for coming to today’s reception. I want to thank the National United Methodist Church for hosting our exhibition and AAFSW and Andrea Salzman for all their work in putting it together. I am truly honored to be included in this amazing exhibition of our Foreign Service family's talent, beauty, and insight.
Our journey as Foreign Service officers and family members shaped how we view the world, and our interpretations are shown throughout the exhibit. A little bit about myself: I am a Kansas native, growing up in the Midwest and enjoying the expansive skies. I chose to study Russian in high school, which eventually led me to the Foreign Service after picking up a law degree. I have served in Russia, Brazil, Ukraine, and Mexico. I took up painting in 2019, as my other creative hobby—sewing—resulted in an overfull closet. I incorporate my love of textiles, skies, monuments, and handicrafts into my pieces.
The pieces I have chosen to show here reflect my love of my country, my hopes and dreams for Ukraine, and an expanded view of justice through Aristotle’s cardinal virtues. Thank you again.
Quick disclaimer: none of my opinions should be taken as an official view of the United States.”
Randa
I was born and raised in Amman, Jordan. My father was from Jaffa, and my mother was from the Netherlands. I was influenced by my parents' cultural backgrounds and was blessed to grow up in Jordan, a country that remains close to my heart. I studied classical music at the Conservatory in Arnhem, the Netherlands.
When I returned home to Jordan in 1999, I had my first art exhibit at the Blue Fig Cafe in Amman.
I have taught piano lessons and music classes for twenty-five years and developed my passion for drawing and painting. Being the spouse of an American diplomat has allowed me, my husband, and our two boys to live in and experience unfamiliar places, inspiring much of my artwork.
I have exhibited my art in Cairo, Tunisia, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Today's event is significant because it allows me to present my art alongside fellow diplomatic family members, all of whom have unique experiences and inspirations.
Rasa
“Welcome, everyone, and thank you for joining us today for this exhibition opening. It is a pleasure to share my artwork and journey, where art and diplomacy have been woven together in unique and meaningful ways. Over the years, I have lived in various countries, including the United States, Russia, Vietnam, Israel, and Germany. Each chapter offered fresh perspectives and new connections through visual arts.
This exhibition, "Art and Diplomacy: Shared Perspectives," highlights how art can connect people and express connections beyond words. A pivotal moment in my artistic practice was discovering Vietnamese lacquer painting in 2013. This traditional art form captivated me with its intricate layering process, symbolizing our connections across cultures. As a Foreign Service spouse, I have collaborated closely with diverse communities, creating spaces where art becomes a channel for dialogue and discovery.
This exhibition invites us to reflect on how art can serve diplomacy, foster mutual understanding, and build bridges where differences might otherwise prevail. Thank you for being here today. I hope these works inspire you to see the possibilities of art as a powerful tool for connection and diplomacy in our global community.”
Valentyna
As a portrait photographer and visual storyteller, I specialize in family photography in Arlington, Virginia. I am a proud U.S. Foreign Service community member and a U.S. civil servant. I studied photography at Northern Virginia Community College, where I received the 2015 Endowed Alexandria Photography Scholarship, and at Instituto Europe di Design in Rome.
Through my camera lens, I have learned to appreciate the beauty of the world and the simple joys of life even more. I find inspiration in the emerald ocean sparkling in the sun, dark clouds carrying rain over the fields, the morning smell of coffee, the aroma of freshly baked bread in the afternoon, a good book and a blanket on a winter day, the sound of a piano melody flowing from another room, and a friendly conversation with someone I know or have just met.
In my photography, I strive to capture the beauty of light, the purity of feelings, and a sense of time and place behind the image. Through my husband's work, I am fortunate to travel to different places around the world and meet incredible people.
