“It is not a reflex for Americans to turn to their artists to ask for help, to ask artists to give language, images, form to these persistent terrors. But this is what art does best. It connects us. I thought, let's try to shift the way we've been relating to one another. Let's treat one another to a conversation less vitriolic, polemical, and dogmatic. Let's be more creative in our approach and use the artistic talent pool to lead the way.”
—Eric Fischl, artist, on his idea creating the national art project, America: Now and Here
