News Release

DEPARTMENT NEWS / November 19, 2007

Boise State University Professor Larry McNeil Meets First Lady, Unveils Work for 'Art in Embassies' Program

Larry McNeil with First Lady, Laura Bush in Washington, D.C.

Boise State University professor Larry McNeil, who teaches photography in the Department of Art, recently made the trip of a lifetime. But his artwork is going even further.

McNeil was selected as one of five artists nationwide to contribute to the Art in Embassies program, which places works by American artists in embassies around the world. McNeil just returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where he attended a reception at Blair House, the president’s guest house, to honor the participating artists. First lady Laura Bush attended and personally congratulated McNeil.

Established by the United States Department of State in 1964, the Art In Embassies Program is a global museum that exhibits original works of art by U.S. citizens in the public rooms of approximately 180 American diplomatic residences worldwide. McNeil’s lithograph is joined by works by Norman Aikers, Mario Martinez, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith and Marie Watt.

The Arts in Embassies program is McNeil’s most recent accomplishment, which comes on the heels of two other international honors. In 2006, McNeil was given a National Geographic All Roads Award, which is given to select indigenous artists from around the world. McNeil was the only winner from the United States. Within the past year he also received a prestigious fellowship with the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis.

McNeil is the third person from the Department of Art to receive a fellowship this year. Niharika Dinkar, assistant professor of art history, received a one-year fellowship from the Getty Foundation to work and study at the Asia Society Museum in New York. Asia Society is the premier organization for the promotion of Asian arts and culture in North America. Janice Neri, assistant professor of art history, received a four-month fellowship from the Huntington Library in San Marino, Calif., and a four-month fellowship from the John Carter Brown Library, affiliated with Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Both are leading centers for research in the arts and humanities.

For more information about Larry McNeil or his recent awards, visit http://larrymcneil.blogspot.com.

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Media Contact: Julie Hahn, University Communications, (208) 426-5540, juliehahn@boisestate.edu

Boise State University professor Heidi Reeder has been named the 2007 Idaho Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. She is an associate professor in the Department of Communications. Reeder’s honor marks the 11th time that a Boise State professor has earned this award, and the seventh time in the last decade.
 

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Last reviewed on Monday, December 03, 2007