WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new exhibition is bringing American art, diplomacy and national identity together as the United States marks its 250th anniversary.

Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy will open July 30 at the Art Museum of the Americas in Washington, D.C., where it will remain on view through October 18. The free exhibition is being presented through a partnership involving the U.S. Department of State's Office of Art in Embassies and the American Arts Conservancy.

The exhibition will feature works by American artists exploring the symbols, ideals and creative spirit associated with the United States. Organizers say the show is designed to encourage reflection on the country's history and its connections with the wider world through visual art.

A major component will also showcase winning works from the American Heroes Student Art Contest, a nationwide competition involving students in grades 3 through 12 from all 50 states and six U.S. territories. Fifteen winning works will become part of the museum exhibition.

The exhibition arrives during a year of heightened attention to America's 250th anniversary, giving museums and cultural organizations an opportunity to examine American history through new artistic perspectives.

By combining professional artists with young creators from across the country, Passport to Patriotism is expected to give visitors a broader look at how American identity and national heritage are represented through art.

With its free admission and central Washington location, the exhibition could become a notable addition to the city's summer arts calendar while adding a cultural dimension to the nationwide America 250 celebrations.