A Comprehensive Review of Memes from the Past Year

**Daily Newsletter Highlights: Art, Literature, and Culture**

Good morning! As we near the end of 2025, it’s a moment to reflect on the year’s cultural landmarks. This newsletter captures the essence of the vibrant art scene, literary critiques, and notable exhibitions.

A Picasso painting could become part of your collection for a mere $117 through a unique raffle aimed at supporting Alzheimer’s research. This action contrasts sharply with the art world’s typical mega-million sales, raising questions about art’s role in philanthropy.

Meanwhile, the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto features Jeff Wall’s retrospective, encouraging viewers to ponder photographic truth beyond the digital age’s rapid consumption. Coreen Simpson’s monograph, “A Timeless Ode to Black Beauty,” invites reflection on identity and aesthetics.

Elsewhere, the art community celebrates Nnena Kalu’s Turner Prize win and MacKenzie Scott’s generous donation to the Japanese American National Museum. These developments underline the intersection between creativity and societal impact.

For those looking to merge art with academia, Columbia University’s summer programs invite artists of all levels to explore their craft in the vibrant setting of New York City. It’s a chance to learn in an environment where culture and creativity thrive.

As we wrap up, the archive takes us on a nostalgic journey through American Christmas traditions, examining them as a form of folk art through Danelle Manthey’s lens.

Stay tuned for more of 2025’s highlights and have a great Friday!

—Lakshmi Rivera Amin, Associate Editor