For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
March 22, 2007

Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Castellaneta, Wife of the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Participate in a Tour of Italian Women Artists From Renaissance to Baroque
National Museum of Women in the Arts
Washington, D.C.

12:12 P.M. EDT

MRS. BUSH: We've just had a wonderful tour of this great show at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. It's a show to coincide with the Museum's 20th anniversary, and it's Italian women artists. There are 66 pieces here, 66 works, from Renaissance to Baroque. And it's so unbelievable. I really want to encourage people to make sure you come by to see this show while it's here. These are works, many of them that have never been shown before in the United States, and may be your only chance to see them. And they are very, very fascinating -- all painted by women, I might add, of course.

The Ambassador from Italy's wife --

MRS. CASTELLANETA: Thank you very much, Mrs. Bush. This is really a visit -- I don't know what to say -- the second time that you are calling me. Thank you very much. What a treat this has been. And I have to say also thank you to Mrs. Holladay, because without her and without her help, it was impossible. And everyone who helped to put together this exhibition, I'd love to thank you. I think the exhibition speaks for itself.

MRS. BUSH: It really does.

MRS. CASTELLANETA: I really wish these artists, they could be here today and see for themselves how much we admire and we appreciate what they have done. So I thank you for you calling me to come.

MRS. BUSH: That's right. Thank you all. Thanks a lot.

MRS. CASTELLANETA: Thank you. Thank you very much.

END 12:14 P.M. EDT