America the Beautiful
BY ARTIST ANH-VAN TRUONG

In Loving Memory

(1952–2025)

“Be grateful—every day, no matter what you face.”

Journey through the remarkable life and inspiring art of Anh-Van Truong. Born in Vietnam in 1952, Anh-Van endured unimaginable hardships—fleeing her homeland after the 1975 Communist takeover, surviving multiple failed escape attempts, and finally reaching freedom by boat with only a 3% chance of survival. After a year and a half in a Philippine refugee camp, where she served as a UN interpreter, she resettled in Canada and later made the U.S. her permanent home in 1983.

A scholar of French literature and lifelong lover of painting, Anh-Van worked with international embassies and raised three children, honoring her heritage while embracing her new home. In her final years, while battling stage 4 gastric cancer, she returned to her first passion with America the Beautiful, a moving exhibition that celebrated the spirit of each U.S. state and the people who call it home. Through every brushstroke, Anh-Van expressed her gratitude, resilience, and deep love for the country that gave her a second chance. 

This exhibition will be on display in the Robins Visitor Center.