The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Presents True Colors: Meditations on the American Spirit February 21, 2005-May 30, 2005

True Colors: Meditations on the American Spirit features the work of 64 artists who communicate powerful expressions of loss, pride, and patriotism in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Seldom seen items from the collections of The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza added exclusively for the exhibition in Dallas illustrate the comparison between ways people expressed themselves creatively in the aftermath of two significant events: September 11 and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Organized by the Meridian International Center, Washington, D.C., the exhibition has traveled throughout the United States and the world but only at The Sixth Floor Museum will visitors experience the unique combination of art and artifacts.

True Colors: Meditations on the American Spirit expresses a desire for peace and the importance of remembering. The exhibit opens on February 21, 2005 and closes on May 30, 2005.

Artists who were witnesses to the terrorist attacks on Washington D.C. and New York City and those who watched the intense media coverage surrounding the devastation wanted to give an artistic voice to their feelings. Several artists affiliated with the Meridian International Center called on the organization to take the lead on the exhibition. Since the Meridian manages successful international touring exhibitions intended to build bridges between nations and cultures, True Colors was a perfect fit. The exhibit features internationally known artists such as John Alexander, Herb Alpert, Will Barnet, Bruce Davidson, Richard Estes, Red Grooms, Sally Mann, Robert Rauschenberg, and Jamie Wyeth. Others, perhaps less widely known, were just as passionate about their desire to participate. Some of the artists created new pieces while others found previous works resonated in a profound new way. The result is a visual poem to the American spirit.

Anchoring the exhibition historically are the artifacts from The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza’s collections. These artifacts illustrate the similar responses to September 11 and the assassination of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Items from the collection represent individual memorials such as music, poetry and art; ritual memorials including Around One O’clock, a booklet of Reverend James M. Thompson’s memories of giving President Kennedy last rites; and pop culture with a lobby card from the 2004 Broadway revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical Assassins, Bill Mauldin’s editorial cartoon of the Lincoln Memorial weeping and a Superman comic from 1964.

“It is human nature to react to tragedy with a desire for expression. These personal responses, whether art, music, poetry, writing, or photography, represent a form of remembering the event. It was a good fit to bring True Colors to Dallas where we have the opportunity to include highlights from our own collection,” says Ruth Ann Rugg, Acting Executive Director of The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

Meridian President Ambassador Walter Cutler said in announcing the exhibition's tour: "Meridian is pleased and proud to be able to send this beautiful exhibition on an international journey. Through the eloquent though unspoken language of these American artists, we hope to provide both ourselves and our friends abroad a vision of the true spirit of the American people."

True Colors: Meditations on the American Spirit was organized and is circulated by Meridian International Center, Washington, D.C. Support for this exhibition has been provided by Abb, Inc; The Coca-Cola Company; the Dillon Fund; The Kaiser Family Foundation; and King & Spalding, Atlanta. Additional support for the Dallas venue provided by Adolphus Hotel, American Airlines The Dallas Morning News, and WFAA Channel 8.

Please contact Dawn Quiett for press images and tours.

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The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy; preserves the Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark District and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza; and provides audiences with the tools to navigate contemporary culture within the context of presidential history. For more information, please visit www.jfk.org or call 214.747.6660 or 1.888.485.4854. Audio tours for the permanent exhibit are available in seven languages and a children’s version in English. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. the Museum is only closed on Christmas.

The Meridian International Center is a non-profit institution that promotes understanding through the exchange of people, ideas and the arts. Established in 1960 and headquartered in Washington, DC, Meridian offers a wide array of outreach, exchange and arts programs. We educated people of all ages about global issues, connect professionals from different countries and enrich the cultural perspective of audiences across the United States and abroad.