Liberian artists, overwhelmed by the recognition of the United States government thru the Embassy near Monrovia, are longing for assistance so as to do more than they are doing. At an arts exhibition gathering at the official residence of the US Embassy, the President of the Liberian Artist Union, Lawson Sworh said Liberian artists were as good as others in parts of the world, but that they would only exceed if they are given the needed support.

He told the gathering of diplomats and Liberian government officials that their main focus is to get the necessary support, adding "we like to thank the US embassy for the recognition."

During the exhibition held over the weekend, officials of government and hosts of other dignitaries from the diplomatic corps and the non-governmental community as well as the media were entertained to a marvelous exhibition of artistic works of Liberian artists and their American counterparts at the US Embassy Residence, Gate Four. It is one of the official compounds of the United States Embassy near the capital.

At was an exhilarating occasion of warmth and cozy evening as breeze from the gentle Atlantic Ocean relaxed the mental tensions that occasioned long hours of work by the visiting quests. The quests, during the program, the first to be held since the Ambassador took over, were entertained in grand to excellent display of artistic works of American and Liberian artists.

Most importantly, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenville, who hosted the program expressed delight at the excellent works of Liberian artists. In her official welcome statement, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said she was elected to showcase an exhibition of works by American Artists curetted by the ART in Embassies Program.

In exuberant mood and tone, she said art transcends culture and language and promotes mutual respect and understanding among diverse cultures.

"Art speaks to one's soul and imagination, allowing both the artist and the viewer to share a moment of creativity," Ambassador Greenfield noted, and added that the ART in Embassy Program is diplomacy at its finest and is a gift from the American people to those who view their exhibitions.

"There is no particular theme to the art we have selected; rather this is an effort on our part to show the diversity of the United States through a selection of art that we like. We have combined our love of African theme art, music and scenes that remind me of my home state of Louisiana," she noted.

She also averred that they at the US embassy were fortunate to display archival pigment copy prints of original photographs of scenes from Liberia in the 1950s that will surely be of interest to our Liberian friends. Portraits of US President Barack Obama, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Peggy Blood, a renowned American Artist, were unveiled. On exhibition were the hand works of artists Sam Hwisedeh, Leslie Lumeh, David Wolobah, Tubman Tweh, Jallah Kollie, Bill Blamo and Brima wollobah.