Mandatory Reading List

**Community Spotlight: A Global Mosaic of Activism and Change** In a rapidly evolving world, communities worldwide are showcasing their resilience and creativity in addressing socio-political issues and celebrating cultural heritage. As we journey through these narratives, we encounter a tapestry of activism, art, and communal spirit. **Roxane Gay and the Guerrilla Girls: Amplifying Feminist Voices** Roxane Gay, renowned author and […]

Solar-Powered Motorcycle Makes its Entrance as the First in the Industry

Solar power has benefitted various sectors, yet its application in transportation has been limited. Although occasionally seen in innovative cars, solar energy has not been utilized to power a motorcycle—until this moment. MASK Architects has imagined a future with SOLARIS, the inaugural self-charging solar motorcycle in the world. Öznur Pınar Cer and Danilo Petta, the creators of MASK Architects, characterize […]

Exploring Art Movements: The Impact of Knights, Presidents, and Crooks

**Community and Art: Presidential Paintings and Notable Movements** In the ever-evolving world of art, community plays a pivotal role in shaping and sharing culture. Notably, the former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, has made significant contributions to the art community, not just through politics but through his paintings. Christie’s, a renowned auction house, is featuring Carter’s painting, “The […]

Winners Revealed for the 2025 Teen Portrait Competition at the National Portrait Gallery

Every three years, the National Portrait Gallery conducts the Teen Portrait Competition, inspiring U.S.-based students aged 13 to 17 to showcase their photographic portraits. The 2025 edition attracted more than 1,100 submissions from across the country. Among the winners, in the 13–15 category, is Matilda Myers from Maryland with her artwork “Rest,” which portrays a ballerina alongside a contrasting pickaxe, […]

The NYC Transit Museum Celebrates the Legacy of the MetroCard

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recently phased out MetroCards, marking the end of an era for New York City’s subway and bus systems. This change makes way for the OMNY tap-and-go payment system, but the transition doesn’t erase the MetroCard from memory. The New York Transit Museum honors the impactful legacy of this iconic yellow card through a special exhibition […]

Notre Dame University Announces Fully-Funded MFA Program with Substantial Stipend

The University of Notre Dame is now accepting applications for its esteemed MFA program for the fall of 2026, focusing on Studio Art disciplines such as Painting/Drawing, Photography, Ceramics, Sculpture, alongside Design specializations in Industrial Design and Visual Communication Design. This program is an invitation to deepen your artistic practice in an enriched environment of diversity and academic excellence. The […]

Artist Employs Sunlight to Convert Wrinkled Paper Into Vast Frosty Mountain Landscapes

Cyanotype printing is a historic photographic method that employs sunlight to produce vivid, deep blue visuals. Although this technique has been utilized for artistic exploration for ages, Taipei-based artist Wu Chi-Tsung expands the boundaries of its capabilities. His Cyano-Collage series features vast, icy-blue landscapes crafted from large sheets of crumpled paper and natural sunlight. His remarkable work delves into how […]

Exploring Joiri Minaya’s “Venus Flytrap”: An Artistic Examination

Artist Film: An Exploration of “Venus Flytrap” by Joiri Minaya New York-based artist Joiri Minaya’s “Venus Flytrap” was a site-specific performance series and installation at Philadelphia’s Bartram’s Garden, North America’s oldest surviving botanical garden, curated by Dessane Lopez Cassell. This project explored themes of freedom, extraction, and ecology. The performance evolved from elegant poses to a vibrant, carnival-like expression, concluding […]

Enormous 27-Foot Buddha Statue Set to be Erected on NYC’s High Line

This spring, a colossal sandstone Buddha will emerge over Manhattan on the High Line Plinth. Crafted by Vietnamese-American artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen, the grand sculpture is named The Light That Shines Through the Universe. The installation will be on display until fall 2027, providing a space for reflection in one of New York City’s most bustling public parks. Nguyen’s artwork […]

An Artist’s Perspective from the Easel

Welcome to the 319th installment of A View From the Easel, a series in which artists reflect on their workspace. This week, artists yearn for higher ceilings and find inspiration in the solitude of their studio. — ### XiaoXiao Wu, San Gabriel, California **How long have you been working in this space?** Five years. **Describe an average day in your […]