http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2012-05-16T18:44:45+00:00 Office of Art in Embassies' "Serving Abroad…Through Their Eyes" photo submissions have been pouring in and, like this photo from State employee Derek Brown of children in Kenya, they are -- wow -- dramatic, compelling and totally inspiring! This creative project featuring images from the day-to-day life of those serving overseas will be expressed in at least two distinct iterations. Lincoln Schatz, a contemporary American artist best known for works that utilize video to collect and display images from specific environments, will be creating a video-art piece incorporating selected images that will ultimately be installed in the U.S. Embassy in Kabul after it tours other national and international venues. Also being planned is a display presentation of the selected photographs, venues to be determined, so please stay tuned!

In the meantime, our deadline is approaching! The "Serving Abroad…Through Their Eyes" photography exhibition is a joint effort between the Department of State's Office of Art in Embassies and the Department of Defense. Any current or former military, civil, and Foreign Service officer may submit up to 10 compelling photographs from their service abroad. Submissions will be accepted now through February 20, 2012. The best in show photographers selected will be honored in Washington, D.C. during Art in Embassies' 50th anniversary celebration on November 30, 2012. Rules, guidelines, and entry forms can be found here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_serving_abroad_photo_exhibition/ 2012-02-17T17:06:46+00:00 Office of Art in Embassies for the “Serving Abroad…Through Their Eyes” exhibition. Pictured is First Lieutenant Matthew Suber, who was serving as the Force Protection Officer during Exercise AFRICA ENDEAVOR, the largest communications exercise on the African continent. The Gambian Army hosted the event at Fajara Barracks, which is also home to many families of their soldiers.

Captain Gilroy describes the photograph: “Children nearby were playing near the exercise administrative building, and we went outside to visit them, and say hello during one of our breaks. The children always lingered near the fences curious about all of the foreign armed forces and beckoned for our water bottles. They liked to collect the bottles and reuse them to sell juice. We went outside and played with them, and Lt. Suber liked to make faces with them. Every day we waved hello to them, and one day Lt. Suber gave them a piggyback ride. We made many friends during the exercise, and one of the best aspects was interacting with the Gambians.”

The “Serving Abroad…Through Their Eyes” photography exhibition seeks to honor Americans who have served overseas, and aims to convey their experiences -- including daily life, friendship, loss, or triumph. Captain Gilroy's photograph certainly captures friendship, and reminds us one can make friends no matter where he or she travels.

Any current or former military, civil, and Foreign Service officer may submit up to 10 compelling photographs from their service abroad for consideration to be included in the exhibition and an expressive video artwork display that will be shown at prominent international locations. Submissions will be accepted now through February 20, 2012. Rules, guidelines, and entry forms can be found here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/potw_building_friendship_gambia/ 2012-01-20T15:21:16+00:00 Art in Embassies (AIE) is pleased to partner with the Department of Defense on a historic exhibition of inspired photographs from overseas service, to be titled "Serving Abroad... Through Their Eyes," as part of AIE's year-long 50th anniversary celebration in 2012.

Any current or former military, civil, and Foreign Service officer may submit a single, compelling photograph from their service abroad for consideration as one of up to a thousand selected for inclusion in an expressive video artwork display. The image captured in the photograph should be of daily life, friendship, places, faces, loss, or triumph and taken since the year 2000. Submissions will be accepted now through February 20, 2012. Rules, entry forms, and guidelines may be found by visiting http://www.ourmilitary.mil/their-eyes/serving-abroad-through-their-eyes. The multi-venue video artwork will be on display during a private, evening reception on November 30, 2012 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and will then travel to the Pentagon, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, and other prominent international locations.

A jury selection panel of noted Americans, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, Air Force General Richard Myers, Marine General Peter Pace, and General Colin Powell, who also served as Secretary of State; New York Times photographer Joao Silva; and David Gregory, of Meet the Press, will announce the selections on Armed Forces Day, May 19, 2012. The "Best in Show" photographers will be honored at the November 2012 opening celebration.

The direct submission form is here. Simply fill it out and email your image to be included!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/photography_exhibition_to_honor_service_abroad/ 2012-01-04T15:11:16+00:00