Michelle Reaffirms Importance of Arts to America's National Life

Michelle-Obama speaking about the importance of the arts in our lives at G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh. via Politico“I wanted to come here because this school embodies the belief that President Obama and I share — and that is the arts aren't just a nice thing to do if you have a little time, right? It's not just a hobby, although it can be a very good hobby. It shouldn't be something you do just because you can afford it,” she said as a group of students sat in the school’s auditorium. “We believe strongly that the arts aren't somehow an ‘extra’ part of our national life, but instead we feel that the arts are at the heart of our national life.”

This was the message First Lady Michelle Obama delivered at the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School.

Group shot of G-20 spouses at Pittsburgh Summit, Sept. 25, 2009 via BBCPosing for a group shot a purple and black Maria Cornejo design, with a signature belt, Obama said that the arts have a unique power, “to remind us of what we each have to offer, and what we all have in common; to help us understand our history and imagine our future; to give us hope in the moments of struggle; and to bring us together when nothing else will.”

The First Lady mentioned her "good friend, Carla Sarkozy" sayong that Americans are musically versatile, being able to sing, dance and act -- unlike the French. Huff Po delivers a superb shot of the two "good friends" at last evening's festivities at Rosemont Farm.

Carla Bruni Sarkozy and Michelle Obama at Rosemont Farm, Sept. 24, 2009Malika Henderson closes out her Politico report reminding us that next Wednesday Michelle obama travels to Copenhagen where she will make the pitch for Chicago's bid to host the 2016 games. She will be joined by Oprah Winfrey, senior White House aide Valerie Jarrett and Education Secretary Arne Duncan. via Politico

When I Googled this morning, POTUS was keeping all his options open. I'll believe FLOTUS goes without POTUS, when the plane takes off. Anne

The Spouses Are Off and Running In Pittsburgh

First Lady Michelle Obama hosted dinner for G20 spouses at Rosemont Farm in Fox Chapel, Pa. Rosemont Farm is home to Theresa Heinz Kerry and Mass. Senator John Kerry. Michelle wore a Thakoon muted animal print dress, as she celebrated her passion for healthy locally-grown food.

AP reports that White House social secretary Desiree Rogers greeted each guest at the Rosemont Farms door, then leading them to a patio where they were greeted by the First Lady and Theresa Hunt, an active campaigner for President Obama in 2008 and good friend to the First Lady.

US First Lady MIchelle Obama greets Carla Bruni Sarkozy at G20 reception in PittsburghThe ladies ate at a long, rectangular table and were joined by Heinz Kerry, Rogers and Susan Sher, Mrs. Obama's chief of staff. Mrs. Obama sat between the spouses from Indonesia and Brazil.

Musicians from the Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra's Jazz Trio performed throughout the dinner. Obama Foodorama covers more details of the celebration.

Today the First Lady will take her fellow G20 spouses to visit Pittsburgh CAPA, an inspirational twin to the "Fame"-inspired school of arts, where her guests will hear a performance by world famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma, country superstar Trisha Yearwood, and singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles.

First Lady Michelle Obama and guests will visit Pittsburgh's CAPA school as part of the G-20 spouses tourCAPA, also known as Center for the Creative and Performing Arts High School, opened in 2003 at a cost of $39,000,000.

Mrs. Obama will lead her group to lunch at the Andy Warhol Museum and a tour of the pop culture center, where they will try out the silk-screen printing technique used by Warhol, a Pittsburgh native.

It's uncertain that the spouses will also view "Drawn to the Summit: A G-20 Exhibition of International Poitical Cartoons", open from September 18-October 18, 2009.

Alberto Sabat, "Silent Tsunami"

From the Museum website:

"The cartoons in Drawn to the Summit highlight the work of the leading cartoonists from the G-20 nations and provide an alternative perspective on G-20 themes such as the global economy and its impact on the environment, human rights, world trade, etc. This exhibition offers a diversity of cartooning styles from around the world and highlights the important role editorial cartoons play in this global conversation."

"In addition, the exhibition will include cartoons by local Pittsburgh artists commenting on what it is like to have their hometown hosting the world. The exhibition also features in-gallery online blog monitoring with daily commentaries and sketches by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette cartoonist Rob Rogers and others during the run of the G-20 summit."

For more on the show, see ARTINFO.COM. Enjoy! Anne

POTUS & FLOTUS and In Pittsburgh

POTUS & FLOTUS land in Pittsburgh to host the G-20 meetings. Photo via Huffington PostGreenpeace took action in Pittsburgh today, sending their own message to the leaders of the world, but especially President Obama to take action on climate change.

Danger: Climate Destruction Ahead

There were sporadic demonstrations in Pittsburgh this afternoon, but no sense of any substantial acts of protests waiting for the global leaders. Anne