SouthernWorldwide.com – Nearly two decades after her memorable stint on NBC’s “The Apprentice,” Erin Scavino has been appointed by President Donald Trump to lead a significant, yet often overlooked, federal office. Her role is to help narrate America’s story as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
Scavino views her appointment as an integral part of Trump’s broader vision to elevate American culture alongside its history in anticipation of the nation’s milestone anniversary.
She stated, “I was a day one hire by President Trump because just like we’ve seen with the Kennedy Center, he wanted to make the performing arts great again, and he also put me at Art in Embassies to make visual arts great.”
The Art in Embassies office, though not widely known, has been operational since 1964. Its mission is to display American artwork in nearly 190 diplomatic locations worldwide, serving as a tool for cultural diplomacy.
Scavino highlighted that the upcoming 250th anniversary provides a unique opportunity to introduce the program to a larger audience.
The exhibition, titled “Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy,” is set to open on July 30 at the Art Museum of the Americas. It will feature works from over 30 contemporary American artists. These artists explore themes of patriotism, diplomacy, military service, immigration, and national identity, collectively celebrating the ideals that have shaped the U.S. since its inception.
This exhibition is a collaborative effort between the State Department’s Office of Art in Embassies and the American Arts Conservancy. It will be accessible to the public free of charge until October 18.
The exhibition showcases a diverse range of contemporary art, including photography, painting, and sculpture, with each gallery offering a distinct perspective on the American narrative. A notable piece is Barbara Ernst Prey’s “Gallantly Streaming,” a powerful artistic interpretation of the American flag that serves as a focal point for the exhibition’s exploration of national identity.
Internationally acclaimed pop artist Romero Britto contributes his vibrant style to the exhibit with a reimagined Statue of Liberty. His work layers bold colors against the American flag, symbolizing the enduring promise of the American dream, as described by Scavino.
The exhibition also features a poignant series of photographs by Korina Marie Moore. Her work captures intimate moments of military service, shifting the focus from combat to the individuals who serve. Her photographs depict scenes ranging from sailors on a U.S. Navy vessel to service members on watch with the Statue of Liberty in the background and the solemnity of Arlington National Cemetery.
Additionally, the exhibition will present a couture gown designed specifically for the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration. This unique piece draws inspiration from Betsy Ross’s historic American flag.
For Scavino, this exhibition marks a significant milestone in a career path that unexpectedly led from reality television to the Trump administration. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasized a consistent element: “The common thread throughout all of this is President Trump. That’s why I always thank him so much for these great opportunities.”
Scavino also shared that her experience has provided her with valuable insights into the dedicated individuals working within government offices.
“Every time you learn about someone’s job, you’re actually understanding a whole new universe,” she commented. “That’s what’s really special about the State Department.”
She elaborated, “People often think [the State Department is] really serious, and yes, of course, there’s so much diplomacy and so many very serious things that are going on. But there are so many interesting components, like Art in Embassies.”
“This isn’t something that was created for me,” she added. “Art in Embassies has been around since 1964 under President Kennedy… Every time you learn about someone’s job, you’re actually understanding a whole new universe.”
Scavino’s objective for the exhibition was to create an experience that welcomes all visitors, including those who may not typically consider themselves “art people.”
“Art has become sort of a gatekeeping situation or something that’s only for the rich or the elite,” she observed. “I wanted to say, ‘Hey, no. We want kids. We want grandparents. We want moms. We want families. We want dads. We want people all over the world to come to this museum because there is something for everyone.'”
To enhance visitor engagement, each artwork is accompanied by QR codes. These codes allow visitors to hear directly from the artists about their work and creative processes, a feature Scavino believes makes the exhibit more accessible.
“You don’t have to have your nose in the air saying, ‘Oh, that Monet’ or ‘That Degas,'” she explained. “You’re going to see a flag. You’re going to see a sculpture. You’re going to hear Americans tell their stories.”
Scavino pointed to Romero Britto’s vibrant “Liberty for All,” a depiction of the Statue of Liberty, as an example of the American dream vividly represented throughout the exhibit.
“When I think about his hearts or his Statue of Liberty, it just makes me think about the American dream,” she said. “He is so patriotic and he loves this country.”
“There are so many stories that are often overlooked,” Scavino continued. “We show pictures of loss. We show people that have lost their lives for this nation. We show people who are celebrating serving our country… I think that we have to honor those who have served.”
One of the most unique contributions to the exhibition is not a painting or sculpture, but a couture gown inspired by Betsy Ross’s American flag.
Scavino explained that the inspiration for the gown arose while she was searching for a wedding dress for her February wedding to fellow Trump administration official Dan Scavino at Mar-a-Lago. During this search, she discovered designer Kate Wasserbach Moore, whose passion for American history led to an unusual collaboration.
“I cold-called her out of the blue and said, ‘Can you create a dress that looks like something one of the wives of our Founding Fathers would have worn and make it patriotic?'” Scavino recalled.
The resulting design, featuring flowing red and white accents inspired by Betsy Ross’s flag, was created for the exhibition rather than for the wedding aisle. This addition brings fashion into a collection that also includes photography, painting, and sculpture.
“To me, patriotic, red, white and blue, and also fashion—how much better does it get for a girl?” Scavino remarked.
While Art in Embassies typically focuses its efforts abroad, Scavino stated that establishing a major public exhibition in Washington D.C. had been a long-held aspiration since she assumed leadership of the office.
“I started with a dream because Art in Embassies is generally overseas,” she shared. “I wanted to do something, to start a footprint here in the United States.”
This ambitious idea quickly gained traction and support.
“The Art Museum of the Americas said yes,” Scavino recounted. “And the second surprise was that I unfortunately don’t have enough space for everyone. So many people generously wanted to participate.”
For Scavino, the exhibition’s ultimate significance lies not solely in the individual artworks, but in the dialogues they can foster.
“What I love about art is it’s totally different from politics,” she said. “You can get in the door by talking about art… and maybe instead of tear down, we can come together.”
She emphasized the importance of this unifying aspect, particularly for individuals overseas who may view an American embassy as their primary, and sometimes only, point of contact with the United States.
“Sometimes in these small nations that are so foreign to us, the only touchpoint they have to America is our embassy and our ambassador,” Scavino stated. “So it is so much more important than I ever thought it would be.”
Scavino hopes that visitors will leave the exhibition with an enhanced appreciation, not only for the art itself but also for the compelling stories it tells about the nation it represents.
“You only get to celebrate 250 years once,” she concluded. “So let art be a way of celebration.”
