On a cold, bitter January 20, 2009, before sunrise, I – joined by
1.8 million people – stepped on to the National Mall in Washington,
D.C. to witness history—the Presidential Inauguration of our 44th
President, Barack Obama. I was part of a new era of America, the
country that had gently but securely adopted me after my escape
from Vietnam in 1975. My past suddenly slipped into the darkness
and a renewed sense of hope emerged in front of me, brightly
illuminating the future, suddenly within reach. I was not alone. I
was arm and arm with daughters and sons of other immigrants, some
refugees like me, and others who took a different road to their
freedom. I was surrounded by a family of black, white, yellow, and
brown--all siblings of humankind—all standing for a purpose, for
peace. We may have arrived at that moment differently, but at that
moment we were all the same. We all had hopes and dreams. Together
we were smiling past our frozen lips, speechless, with pounding
hearts. America was alive. Yes, we can.. In USAlive A people’s
conversation about Obama’s first 100 days in office – I have worked
to capture the electricity and recent transformation of our nation
since Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States
of America. The mural is an opus of 100 canvases, showcasing who we
are as a people and the true spirit that sustains us all.,This
Exhibit celerates renewed American Patriotism and Hope.We are
citizens of America and of the World. Please join the artist for
thisOpening of her USAlive-Inauguration relived Experience.
