‘Picturing America’ display captivates senior citizens

MR: Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Around 20 senior citizens learned about unique and important aspects of American history by viewing a display of framed portraits exhibited at the Fiji Museum.  Called ‘Picturing America’, the program is targeted at providing audiences with a deeper appreciation of the history, values, and character of the United States through art.

The US Embassy in conjunction with the Fiji Museum has organized the Picturing America display at the Museum gallery, and invited various audiences to visit and receive briefings about the portraits on show.

The Father Law Home in Lami brought about 20 residents to the Museum grounds in the Capital yesterday (Wednesday).

“When we explained to our residents that we were coming here, they were really happy.  They were very interested in American history and listened intently to what the Embassy (officer) was saying,” said Sister Elena Natadra, who accompanied the senior citizens to the Museum.

 “Some of the residents have families in America, so when the Embassy (officer) was explaining the pictures and paintings, I could see them imagining where their families are (living) now.”

Said Father Law home resident Bill Sova, “I’m very happy to be here and to listen to the stories behind the paintings.” One painting in particular left the 75 year old Sova starry eyed and visibly emotional. The Thomas Hart Benton painting, The Sources of Country Music brought back memories of his younger years when Sova was an avid musician who played the guitar and ukelele. So moved was Sova from The Sources of Country Music, he sang a couple of country songs, after encouragement from his fellow senior citizens, Embassy officials and members of the media.

Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy Suva, Jeffrey Robertson, who was on-hand to brief the senior citizens about the portraits, said this was very reaction they were hoping for from all their outreach programs.

“For us to be to facilitate this display in collaboration with the Fiji Museum is a special feeling on its own. But when this is complimented by the kind of satisfaction shown today, it makes it all the more meaningful, he added”.

“We are definitely happy that we have been able to provide local audiences a visual portray of the essence of American art and culture through the ages, Robertson said.

Last week, Embassy officers gave a group of children from the Fiji Vocational Centre for People with Disability a similar briefing at the Museum.

“We hope to be able to continue doing this for other audiences in Fiji and around the Pacific.”

This unique initiative uses art as a catalyst for the study of the United States—the cultural, political, and historical threads woven into its national fabric over time.  The program began in Fiji on the 23rd of April and finishes in Papua New Guinea at the end of June.  ###