Key Points

• A delegation of Ukrainian artists will visit Western Washington from July 17 to 26 as part of the Kozytskyi Charity Foundation’s cultural diplomacy initiative, “We and the World.”
• The visit is being supported by Governor Bob Ferguson, ArtsWA and the Washington State Department of Commerce.
• The delegation includes representatives from Ukraine’s Zenyk Art Gallery, also known as ZAG, which says it combines contemporary art, innovation, accessibility and education during wartime.
• The initiative is intended to promote Ukrainian art internationally while also supporting urgent humanitarian needs in Ukraine.
• Governor Bob Ferguson said the partnership helps connect cultures, showcase Ukrainian art and support Ukraine’s veterans.
• ZAG Gallery director Khrystyna Berehovska said the project reflects the value of life and the resilience of Ukrainians.

Washington (Evening Washington News) July 10, 2026 – A delegation of Ukrainian artists is due to visit Western Washington from July 17 to 26, with the trip framed as both a cultural exchange and a humanitarian message, according to the Governor’s Office, ArtsWA and the state Department of Commerce.

As reported by the Governor’s Office, the visit is part of the Kozytskyi Charity Foundation’s “We and the World” initiative, which aims to promote Ukrainian art internationally while also supporting urgent humanitarian needs in Ukraine.

The delegation includes representatives from Zenyk Art Gallery, or ZAG, an art institution in Ukraine that describes itself as the first in the country to combine contemporary art, innovation, accessibility and an educational mission in wartime.

What is the purpose of the visit?

The central purpose of the trip is cultural diplomacy, with the artists using their visit to build awareness of Ukrainian creativity and the realities facing Ukraine during the war, according to the organisers cited in the statement.

The foundation’s initiative is designed to connect international audiences with Ukrainian art while also drawing attention to humanitarian needs at home.

The Washington State agencies backing the trip are Governor Bob Ferguson’s office, ArtsWA and the Department of Commerce.

Their support indicates that the visit is not being treated only as an arts event, but also as part of a wider public engagement effort involving state institutions.

Who is taking part?

The delegation includes representatives from Zenyk Art Gallery, or ZAG, which says it is focused on contemporary art and accessibility.

The gallery’s role in the trip places it at the centre of the exchange, alongside the Kozytskyi Charity Foundation’s wider diplomacy programme.

Governor Ferguson welcomed the delegation in a statement, saying he was

“excited to welcome the ZAG Gallery to Washington state.”

He added that partnerships like this “foster connections between cultures” and highlight the work of Ukrainian artists while supporting Ukraine’s veterans.

What did the officials say?

Governor Ferguson said the partnership with Ukraine helped make the exhibition possible and underlined Washington state’s relationship with the country.

His remarks presented the visit as a cultural exchange with a political and humanitarian dimension, rather than a simple gallery tour.

ZAG Gallery director Khrystyna Berehovska also gave a statement that framed the initiative in personal and emotional terms. She said,

“Life is beautiful, isn’t it? Every day, Ukrainians answer that question with a resounding yes,”

and added that life is “precious, unique, and beautiful” and that no one has the right to take it away.

Why does this matter now?

The timing of the visit places Ukrainian artists in Washington during an ongoing period of international attention on Ukraine’s war, cultural identity and humanitarian needs.

Cultural diplomacy efforts such as “We and the World” are intended to keep Ukrainian art visible abroad while linking that visibility to support for people affected by the conflict.

For Washington state, the event also reflects an active role in international cultural engagement through arts and commerce agencies.

The state’s support suggests that officials see value in arts-based diplomacy as a way to strengthen ties and communicate solidarity.

Background on the development

The Kozytskyi Charity Foundation launched “We and the World” as a cultural diplomacy initiative dedicated to promoting Ukrainian art internationally.

The foundation says the effort is also tied to urgent humanitarian needs in Ukraine, showing that the programme is intended to serve both cultural and practical aims.

Zenyk Art Gallery describes itself as an institution built around contemporary art, innovation, accessibility and education during wartime.

That positioning helps explain why it is involved in an overseas visit that blends exhibition, outreach and advocacy.

Washington’s involvement through the Governor’s Office, ArtsWA and the Department of Commerce places the state within a broader pattern of subnational cultural diplomacy.

The July visit continues that trend by linking local arts institutions and public officials with an international partner facing wartime pressures.

Prediction: How could this affect audiences?

For Washington audiences, the visit may increase public awareness of Ukrainian artists, their work and the human impact of the war in Ukraine.

It may also encourage attendance at related cultural events and strengthen public interest in international arts partnerships.

For Ukrainian communities and supporters of Ukraine, the visit could reinforce the idea that cultural expression remains important even during conflict. It may also help sustain international visibility for humanitarian appeals connected to the war.

For state agencies and arts organisations, the visit could become a model for future exchanges that combine art, public diplomacy and community outreach.

That would make the current trip more than a one-off event, giving it possible longer-term relevance for cultural programming and international collaboration.