Reminder that everything will be alright

What a joy it was to start the day watching the unveiling of the portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery on Feb. 12. Especially poignant for Black History month, artists Kehinde Wiley (who painted Barack) and Amy Sherald (who painted the Michelle) are the first African-Americans commissioned to paint Presidential portraits for the Gallery.

In hers, Michelle’s image tantalizingly captures not just her own, but every woman’s dignity and grace. Her fascinating, flowing gown with its African-American quilt motif is historical yet freshly modern and hip and reflects her famous support of American fashion designers.

In his, a serious Barack Obama is surrounded by a garden of colorful greenery with gorgeous flowers memorializing his life path - Hawaiian jasmine, Chicago chrysanthemums and Kenyan blue lilies. Noting the artist’s and his parallel experience of being raised by American mothers with African fathers not present, former President Obama specially honored his mother-in-law for being “their rock.”

The Obamas and both artists filled the room with humility, poise, elegance, humor and with. Watching this tender and beautiful historical event unfold gave me hope and assured me that everything will be alright in our beautiful country, if we only look for it.

Halina Slobodow

Spokane