On November 8, Consul General Kurt Tong hosted a reception in honor of American artist, Mr Richard W. Franklin, who is visiting Hong Kong as part of the U.S. Department of State Art in Embassies Program, a public-private program that promotes understanding through cross-cultural dialogue and artist exchanges. Formalized by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, Art in Embassies engages over 20,000 participants globally in more than 180 countries. Since 2000, over 58 permanent collections have been installed in the Department’s diplomatic facilities throughout the world. Mr. Franklin’s painting, “Wallendas in Flight” is part of the AIE collection in Hong Kong, and hangs in a place of honor in the Consul General’s residence. During his week-long visit, Mr. Franklin engaged with artists, students, educators, and museum professionals across Hong Kong.
