Here's an interesting story I missed last week. Lobbyist couple Heather and Tony Podesta are largely responsible for enabling the famous "Hope" portrait of President-elect Obama to hang in the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery.

The picture painted by Shepard Fairey inspired the creation of t-shirts, posters and other campaign material during the 2008 election. The Podestas, who are big art collectors, gave a donation to help the Smithsonian acquire the painting because it "seemed like a historic moment for the country, and a chance to do something for art and Democrats," Tony Podesta told the Washington Post in a Jan. 7 story. The painting was also given in honor of Podesta's late mother Mary K. Podesta.

A brunch is scheduled for Saturday Jan. 17 at the gallery to celebrate the gift. Hosting the brunch are the Congressional Black Caucus and the director of the National Portrait Gallery.

See portrait and invitation:

Presentation of Barack Obama Portrait invitation.pdf

                                                                                                                     --Bara Vaida