D.C. Museum Exhibit Opens July 30, Commemorating 250 Years of Diplomacy Through the Visual Arts
PASSPORT TO PATRIOTISM, Hosted by the Art Museum of the Americas, Features Leading American Artists Showcasing the Symbols, Ideals, and Creative Spirit that Define America
WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 13, 2026 — In celebration of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary, the Art Museum of the Americas (AMA) of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C., will host a once-in-a-lifetime museum exhibition, free and open to the public from July 30 through October 18, 2026. “Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy” will invite audiences to reflect on the symbols, ideals, and creative spirit that define America.
Passport to Patriotism is presented through a partnership between the U.S. Department of State Office of Art in Embassies (AIE) and the American Arts Conservancy (AAC) in dialogue with the AIE’s mission: to use the universal language of art to foster cross-cultural understanding, dialogue, and connection.
In 1776, the defining idea of the United States of America was the radical possibility of self-government: A nation governed by its citizens. Through contemporary artistic expression, Passport to Patriotism explores how those ideals continue to resonate today, both at home and abroad.
“Public diplomacy begins with storytelling,” said Erin Scavino, AIE Director. “As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, Passport to Patriotism highlights how art, history, and cultural exchange help connect Americans to our shared heritage while fostering a deeper understanding of the values and institutions that have shaped our nation. Through this exhibition, visitors will encounter visual arts that remind us not only where we have come from, but also the enduring principles that continue to guide our future.”
The exhibition brings together bold narratives of patriotism, diplomacy, and national identity by more than 30 U.S. artists whose innovations and perspectives have shaped contemporary culture far beyond the nation’s borders—underscoring how art transcends geography, politics, and boundaries.
Featured artists include:
Brendan Murphy — A world-renowned contemporary artist known globally for his monumental BOONJI Spaceman sculptures and visionary conceptual works exploring imagination, optimism, and human potential. Murphy is one of the most commercially successful and widely collected contemporary artists today.
Brandon Ralph — Best known for his work exploring the symbolism and ideals of the American flag. Through photography and sculpture, he weaves diversity into his work—both literally and conceptually—examining the people and the ideals that continue to shape an ever-evolving America.
Romero Britto — Founder of The Happy Art Movement and an internationally celebrated artist whose unique style combines elements of Pop art, Cubism, and graffiti. Through his boldly patterned, vibrantly colored artworks, Britto creates uplifting art that resonate with all, inspiring happiness, joy, hope, and optimism.
Papay Solomon — Papay Solomon was born in Guinea in 1993 to Liberian parents displaced by the First Liberian Civil War. His work is rooted in one of the defining stories of our time: migration.
The exhibition will also present a selection of artworks by the winners of the American Heroes Student Art Contest, a nationwide competition sponsored by Freedom 250 and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Students in grades 3–12 from all 50 states and six U.S. territories submitted original work inspired by heroes who have helped define our nation. The winning artworks were on view at the Great American State Fair in the American Canvas Pavilion through July 10th. Fifteen of those works will be added to the museum exhibition.
EVENT DETAILS
Dates: July 30, 2026 – October 18, 2026
Location: Art Museum of the Americas, Washington, D.C.
Curated By: U.S. Department of State Office of Art in Embassies
Commissioned By: The American Arts Conservancy
Theme: Patriotism, Diplomacy, and National Identity
More information about the museum exhibit, including a full list of artists, can be found at art.state.gov/freedom-250.
ABOUT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF ART IN EMBASSIES
For over six decades, Art in Embassies (AIE) has played a leading role in U.S. public diplomacy through a focused mission of vital cross-cultural dialogue and understanding through the visual arts and dynamic artist exchange. The Museum of Modern Art first envisioned this global visual arts program in 1953, and President John F. Kennedy formalized it at the U.S. Department of State in 1963. Today, Art in Embassies is an official visual arts office within the U.S. Department of State, engaging over 20,000 participants globally, including artists, museums, galleries, universities, and private collectors. It encompasses over 200 venues in 189 countries. Professional curators and registrars create and ship about 60 exhibitions per year, and since 2000, over 100 permanent collections have been installed in the Department’s diplomatic facilities throughout the world.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN ARTS CONSERVANCY
The American Arts Conservancy is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and advancing the visual arts of the United States. Through cultural diplomacy, educational outreach, and stewardship, it supports the legacy of American artists at home and abroad while fostering dialogue across communities and generations.
ABOUT THE ART MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAS
The Art Museum of the Americas (AMA) is the oldest museum of modern and contemporary Latin American and Caribbean art in the United States. It is part of the Organization of American States (OAS), an international public organization whose aim is to promote democracy, peace, justice, and solidarity among its 34 member countries. The museum holds one of the world’s leading collections of modern and contemporary art from the Western Hemisphere.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Brian Hyland: 201-410-4563
Madeline Michaelson: 616-617-7800
Cricket Public Relations: AIEFreedom250@cricketpr.com
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