I met a lot of Vincent van Gogh fans on Saturday. They were delighted to hear there is going to be an exhibition of the artist’s work at The Phillips Collection this fall!

Photos: Jane Clifford

Let me explain. I spent last Saturday, May 11, taking part in the Delegation of the European Union’s EU Open House initiative. As part of this year’s annual celebration of culture, 28 embassies opened their doors to the public free of charge, offering a rare look inside their buildings as well as food, music, and the chance to experience firsthand their rich cultures.

I was lucky to be working behind the scenes as a volunteer at the Royal Netherlands Embassy, promoting the Phillips’s upcoming Van Gogh Repetitions exhibition. The Embassy was a perfect setting in which to inform people of the first exhibition of van Gogh’s work in Washington in 15 years, given that he is not only one of the most celebrated artists in history but also a Dutch national.

Overall it was a wonderful day–the rain held off and nearly 2,700 D.C. residents and visitors came through the doors to learn about the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Dutch art, and culture. To top it off, the Embassy offered complementary stroopwaffles (yum!), Heineken, and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (a division of the Anglo-Dutch Unilever conglomerate, who knew?).

Jane Clifford, Marketing Intern