Our World In The Year 2000 - New York Exhibition

The final and most prestigious venue for the "Our World in the Year 2000" exhibition, was at the United Nations building, New York City, in the USA. The exhibition opened on the 12 July and ran until 28 August 2000, and was expected to be one of the main exhibitions featured within the United Nations calendar in the millennial year.

With over 120 paintings, including the 12 winning pictures displayed within the United Nations Visitors Lobby exhibition space, there could have been no more fitting a venue for the last time at which this collection of amazing paintings from all around the world would be seen together.

A special Opening Reception took place on Thursday 20 July 2000. Hosted by Sir Jeremy Greenstock, the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, the event was attended by a number of exhibiting artists and United Nations Ambassadors including the guest of honour Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations. The evening had a truly international feel with many of the exhibiting artists making the trip from all over the world.

After the welcoming speech from Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Steve Pleune Managing Director of Winsor & Newton talked about the competition and thanked the United Nations for supporting the exhibition so generously. Carol Bellamy Executive Director of UNICEF then gave a rousing speech talking about the pertinent message that could be taken from the paintings depicting the plight of children all around the world. Finally Kofi Annan, spoke about how the exhibition was a splendid example of how the universal language of art can cross boundaries and barriers, bringing nations together to promote greater understanding among peoples and cultures. He also made special reference to Ramón Piaguaje the first prize-winner and his important message about protecting the rain forest.

Following the speeches, Kofi Annan and Mrs. Annan, walked around the exhibition with curator John Sheeran, accompanied by a traditional Ecuadorian dancer with Ecuadorian music, he met with various artists and discussed their paintings.

The exhibition was an outstanding success with thousands of international visitors attending the United Nations enjoying the remarkable paintings.

Following on from the close of the exhibition, the paintings are now to be returned to the various artists all over the world. While some paintings will be on display in local artists’ exhibitions, the 12 winning paintings will be returned to Winsor & Newton’s headquarters in Harrow. Here they will be on display to serve as a reminder of the wonderful achievement of the world-wide millennium painting competition.