JFK celebrated with a Magnificent Exhibition at the Woman's National Democratic Club

Posted by Susanna at 2:53 PM, Nov 23, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

Former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford surrounded by Mrs. and Dr. Alen J. Salerian

A VIBRANT CROWD of Kennedy and art lovers gathered at the Woman's National Democratic Club in Washington, D.C. Saturday night, November 21, to enjoy an exhibition of paintings by Alen Salerian, M.D., titled "JFK's Magnificent Journey."

Former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford speaks with Dr. and Mrs. Alen J. Salerian

THE WELL-KNOWN television journalist Michael Buchanan was the master of ceremonies of the program for this fascinating evening, which was an amalgam of nostalgic memories of the Kennedy presidency and the hopes for the Obama administration, filled with sounds and colors of people reliving their memories of the 35th president through the eyes of Dr. Salerian. Dignitaries such as the former Sen. Harris Wofford, Nobel Prize winner Bobby Muller, American University Professor Peter Kuznick and Zeno Baucus representing his father Sen. Max Baucus sang the praises of not only John Kennedy, but also Dr. Salerian's artistic renditions of President Kennedy and Kennedy family members.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Bobby Muller together with Dr. and Mrs. Alen J. Salerian

THE BEGINNING of the program brought tears to the eyes of many and the crowd could be heard sighing in response to the sounds of images of a video of President Kennedy's inauguration speech. That video was followed by a televised greeting from President Kennedy's nephew, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy (R.I.) speaks via videotape to the guests at the Woman's National Democratic Club.

THE CONGRESSMAN expressed deep admiration for Dr. Salerian's creative touch and provocative storytelling of his uncle's magnificent life. Congressman Kennedy was particularly emphatic in acknowledging Dr. Salerian's scholarly contributions to neuroscience and addiction medicine.

Bill Farrand, Philippa Hughes, Raynard Scott and Christian Zapatka

BOBBY MULLER was equally complimentary of Dr. Salerian for his passionate commitment to individual and governmental integrity and his relentless spirit to make governmental integrity a priority for all of us through neuroscience, art, paintings and JFK research.

Dr. Alen J. Salerian and his brother N.G. Saleri

FINALLY, Dr. Salerian's identical twin, Dr. Nansen G. Saleri, the 2008 recipient of the prestigious John Franklin Carll Award in petroleum engineering also observed Dr. Salerian's special gift to mix history, art, science and his special dedication to humanistic principles.

IN HIS REMARKS, Dr. Salerian stated, "I am not a painter. I am a storyteller, and JFK is a magnificent story to tell.

Barbara Heineback and Raynard Scott

Eric Lindstrom and Carole Kraemer

THE EXHIBITION will be open Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., through Jan. 13, 2010, at the Woman's National Democratic Club at 1526 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., or by special appointment by calling the club at (202) 232-7363, ext. 3003.

HIS ART IS a dramatic blast of color and energy, and he is described by his friend Norman Mailer, as "one psychiatrist with an in-roaring rage at psychiatric cant, and it comes out in a caterwauling fury which clears the air and enlivens one with its daring."

Ajay Dhillon and Jennifer Cronin