Evening Reception: MOSAIC: An Inaugural Gathering of Art & Global Affairs

The MOSAIC Committee of the Black Professionals in International Affairs proudly presents its Inaugural Gathering of Art & Global Affairs, a special evening designed to celebrate the intersections of creativity, culture, and diplomacy.

This intimate reception brings together artists, diplomats, and thought leaders for an evening of inspiration and exchange. In partnership with Zenith Gallery and Bilateral, the program will highlight the powerful role of the arts in shaping narratives, fostering understanding, and connecting communities across borders.

Featuring remarks by Margery E. Goldberg, founder of Zenith Gallery, and a showcase of featured diaspora artists, this event marks the beginning of a new MOSAIC tradition — using art to bridge global stories and strengthen cultural ties.

Light refreshments will be served. RSVP is required to attend.

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Description - Zenith Gallery

Founded by Margery E. Goldberg, Zenith began at Zenith Square, a 50,000 square-foot complex, established by Goldberg to serve as an affordable haven for artists to work, live and share their art. The gallery moved from its original location on Rhode Island Avenue NW near 14th Street in 1986 to 413 Seventh Street NW, where it remained until April 2009.

Since opening our doors in 1978, Zenith has established deep roots in the nation’s capital and with artists and collectors across America. Throughout our history we’ve pushed boundaries and broken ground with an ever-changing selection of paintings, sculpture, neon, photographs, tapestries and mixed-media pieces that stimulate, engage and have profoundly enhanced our clients’ residential, corporate and public-space environments.

Long at the forefront of the Washington arts scene, we seek out and feature exceptional artists at varying stages of their careers. Many have been with us for since our beginnings and are now well-known and established, while others are young bright lights on the horizon.

For 47 years, Zenith Gallery’s founder and director, Margery E. Goldberg, has been placing art in public, private, and corporate collections throughout the Washington DC tri-state area.

In 2000, Goldberg founded the Zenith Community Arts Foundation (ZCAF) a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to arts advocacy, arts education, industrial arts, and public art. ZCAF’s vision addresses the decline of industrial arts education nationally and locally. Woodshops have been removed from schools and other community organizations, making it difficult to learn woodworking at any stage in life. To counter this trend, ZCAF has begun teaching woodworking skills to DC residents through its unique and innovative Mobile Woodshop.

Margery Goldberg is also a wood sculpture and furniture designer. 

Learn more at https://zenithgallery.com/

Description - Bilateral

BILARTERAL is a contemporary art platform, founded in 2024 by past BPIA Guest of Honor Bakare Mubarak.

Based in Lagos, Nigeria, BILATERAL promotes and amplifies the voices of emerging and established creative artist, through exhibitions, art fairs, dialogues and media whilst leveraging technology, for global awareness and even more acceptability of African and African diaspora art scene.  As a matter of fact that decision to seek such a bridge between the diaspora and our community is what is coined as BILARTERAL from the word bilarteral, a bifocal artistic arrangement between two ends: Home and Abroad. 

Learn more at https://bilarteral.netlify.app/

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As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA) is committed to advancing education, leadership, and cultural understanding in global affairs. This event is presented for educational and cultural purposes—to highlight the intersection of art, diplomacy, and the global Black experience. In alignment with nonprofit regulations, BPIA does not engage in or receive proceeds from any sales or commissions of artwork associated with this event.

Guests are welcome to connect directly with the artists and the Zenith Gallery team regarding any art inquiries or purchases outside of the formal program. All featured works and discussions are intended to foster appreciation for the role of art in shaping dialogue, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and inspiring civic engagement within the global community.