Michelle Obama Goes Metropolitan

Posted by Bossip Staff

First Lady Michelle Obama is seen here hugging 5th graders during the ribbon cutting ceremony officially reopening the Charles Engelhard Court of the newly renovated American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York , Monday:

First Lady Michelle Obama took a breather from her listening tour of federal agencies for a culture break in New York, stopping by the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday to help re-open its new American wing. Mrs. Obama said that she and the president hope to give America’s children better access to the arts. “The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time or if one can afford it,” she said. “Rather, paintings and poetry, music and fashion, design and dialogue, they all define who we are as a people and provide an account of our history for the next generation.”

Attending the ceremony was a broad mix of city and state officials and members of New York’s art and fashion worlds. “The president and I want to ensure that all children have access to great works of art,” she told a crowd that included students from four New York City public schools that specialize in the arts. “We want all children who believe in their talent to see a way to create a future for themselves in the arts community, either as a hobby or as a profession.” Mrs. Obama stood in the newly renovated Charles Engelhard Court in a bright purple Isaac Mizrahi sheath and coat, before a facade of an early 19th century bank branch that was originally on Wall Street.

She said she and the president had their first date in a museum — a fact she was reminded of in her introduction. “Thank you for reminding me,” she said. “You know, after 20-some-odd years of knowing a guy, you forget that your first date was at a museum. But it was, and it was obviously wonderful; it worked.” Three of the invited children got hugs from the first lady as they stood with her for the ribbon cutting. She told them “this is your place, too.”

Also attending were Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Rep. Charles Rangel, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, supermodel Iman and designer Ralph Lauren. In the evening the first lady was to attend American Ballet Theatre’s spring gala at the Metropolitan Opera House, where she was to address the audience along with Caroline Kennedy. The glittery event is a highlight on the city’s social calendar.

We always enjoy seeing Mrs Obama perform her job with honor and enthusiasm. Look at them two Latina girls hugging Michelle like the Virgin Mary.

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