Yerevan – On May 25, 2011, U.S. Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch hosted a tour of the U.S. Embassy’s permanent art collection for Armenian guests from various professional fields, including artists, museum directors, and government officials. The U.S. Embassy’s permanent art collection is named “Idyllic By Nature.” It was commissioned by the U.S. Department of State’s “Art in Embassies” program and installed in April 2005 with the opening of the new U.S. Embassy compound. The collection consists of a total of 68 works by 42 contemporary artists. In her remarks, Ambassador Yovanovitch said, “We are giving this tour because our permanent art collection is more than just a decoration. This art is part of our cultural diplomacy. The creators of this art are Armenians, Americans, and American-Armenians. As such, their work celebrates the cultural vibrancy of two countries, and also the blending of two cultures.”

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