On April 15, U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson held a reception to commemorate the “A Thread of Hope” exhibit at the U.S. Embassy. The exhibit displays 68 artworks by Lebanese artists. Ambassador Johnson expressed her thanks to over 70 artists who have collaborated with the embassy on Art Loan Projects since 2022. Present at the event were Minister of Culture Ghassan Salame, Director General of Antiquities Sarkis Khoury, and numerous figures from the art community.
The U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Section initiated the “Art Loan Project” in 2022, featuring artist Raouf Rifai in the “Meet the Artist” series. In 2024, the embassy worked with the Lebanese art community to present a year-long exhibition with 16 artists under the theme “A Thread of Hope.” This exhibit examines various forms of hope within Lebanese society.
During her speech, Ambassador Johnson remarked that she has “proudly shown hundreds of visitors to the U.S. Ambassador’s residence this exhibit.” She continued, “throughout the conflict, your artworks have done something extraordinary. They have inspired us, offering healing…and reminding us of our shared aspirations for a brighter, better future.”