February 20 – April 14, 2002

Gary Erbe Survivor, 1981
Oil on canvas 60" x 48"
Private Collection

A new exhibition, True Colors: Meditations on the American Spirit will open at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC on February 20th. The exhibition of the work of sixty-two American artists has been organized by Meridian as an artistic response to the tragic events of September 11th. A traveling exhibition, True Colors will visit New York and Atlanta before being sent on an international tour.

The germ of the idea for the exhibition came from artists themselves; a number of them contacted Meridian just a few days after the attack wanting to find a voice for expression of their feelings through the medium of art. Like many institutions and organizations across the country, Meridian sought a way to help put these events into perspective. In addition to re-dedicating itself to its mission of promoting international understanding, making a specific response of this nature seemed appropriate.

The call for artists began at Ground Zero and word spread across the country. The response was tremendous, making selections very difficult. The final list includes fifty-seven artists and eight photographers; many are from New York and were directly affected by the tragedy; others from different parts of the country, though not witness to the events, were nonetheless deeply affected. They come from various backgrounds that make up our diverse but unified country. Some names are internationally recognized, such as John Alexander, Herb Alpert, Will Barnet, Bruce Davidson, Richard Estes, Red Grooms, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Roy Lichtenstein, Sally Mann, Robert Rauschenberg, and Jamie Wyeth. Others, though perhaps less widely known, are nonetheless passionate about their desire to participate. The simple theme, a meditation on the American spirit, has allowed for broad expressions. Ground Zero and the attack itself are part of the exhibition, but reflections on the American identity and the strength of the American spirit are expressed in subjects not directly related to September 11th.

Curators for this exhibition were Pamela Bailey, art consultant, who was for eleven years the Director of ExxonMobil's Arts Program; Washington artist and critic Bill Dunlap; and Nancy Matthews, Meridian's Vice President for Arts and Cultural Affairs. A full color catalogue accompanies the exhibition. An introduction by Meridian Chairman James Jones and a commentary by R.W. Apple, Jr., Chief Correspondent for the New York Times, are included. Washington, DC Mayor Anthony Williams has contributed a message to the catalogue.

Initial corporate and foundation sponsorship has come from ABB, Inc., The Coca Cola Company, The Dillon Fund, The Kaiser Family Foundation, and the law firm of King & Spalding. The enthusiastic response of artists and others to this exhibition has inspired those who are working with Meridian on this unique project to provide services either pro bono or at cost, including Balmar Printing Incorporated, HMB Art Transfer, The Stinehour Press, Suzan Reed Graphics, USArt International, Ltd., and V-H Sign Company, Inc.

Meridian President Ambassador Walter Cutler said in announcing the exhibition, "Meridian is proud to be the vehicle for this talented group of artists who wanted to make an artistic response to the tragic attack. We feel that True Colors will communicate, in the powerful language of art, something of the true spirit of America to parts of the world where we are not always well understood. It will also provide a means for American viewers to meditate on those qualities that make our nation great."

True Colors will be on view at Meridian's White Meyer Galleries from February 20 through April 14, 2002. The New York and Atlanta locations will be announced shortly. An international tour, now under organization, will begin in the late Fall of 2002.

www.meridian.org/ARTS/American