at makes the work come alive, I think, is a heartfelt connection to the people who will experience it, and a sensitivity to the space where the art will be situated. Creative inspiration is key, and it's also necessary to think practically about the budget and scale of the project, and to work with skilled professionals who can bring the resources together to execute and install the piece.

merica. I want visitors to the embassy to receive a visually striking greeting that on some level expresses a sense of hope, that takes the familiar and draws out its possibilities; after all, that's what many people hope for from America, and I believe that America really delivers on that promise. I think that the way the United States chooses to represent itself abroad sends important signals, and as someone who grew up dreaming of America, I wanted to create a grand entryway to the embassy that is as inviting as it is unexpected. In this case I could draw on my own life experiences seeking visas from embassies, and recalled my anticipation and also uncertainty about travel and transition, and thought how comforting it would be to see something beautiful and inspiring in the midst of that. Most of all, I wanted to give visitors to the embassy something beautiful, to ease their way.

In terms of imagery, I chose to create a blueberry garden populated with butterflies and insects that are as as much a part of the natural environment in Romania as of America, an expression of common ground and shared experience.

e new American Embassy in Bucharest, Romania, which is the country where I was born, and was especially pleased when she commissioned a mosaic mural, because I thought that will be something really lovely that can be displayed outdoors, where more people can see it as they visit the embassy. My first thought was how unbelievable it is to have the opportunity to make something beautiful on behalf of my 'new' country to be shared with my original country, Romania. The project would allow me to bridge between two cultures that have shaped me in profound ways, and to open my heart and give something personal as an expression of gratitude to both American and Romania.

nia Shore initiating the project and leading the State Department's involvement, Reyes taught a course to SFAI graduate students which lead them through the process completing the commission. Reyes was born and raised in Mexico City and steeped in the thought and language of cultural diplomacy, leading Shore to believe he would be an ideal fit for this effort in cultural exchange. Art in Embassies focuses on international cultural exchange, and Pedro's work with American art students to create an exterior sculpture welcoming visitors to the Consulate is a great realization AIE's mission.