PEOPLE AND CULTURE
Military Families visit museums for free this summer as part of Blue Star Museums
In an initiative to honor and connect military families with cultural institutions, the Blue Star Museums program will open its doors once again this summer. Active-duty military members and their families can visit participating museums for free, beginning on Armed Forces Day, May 17, 2025, and continuing through Labor Day, September 1, 2025.
This program, organized by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in collaboration with Blue Star Families (BSF) and the Department of Defense, encompasses a wide variety of museums across the United States, including history, art, and children’s museums, as well as botanical gardens, zoos, and aquariums. Families can explore these cultural institutions to create lasting memories and connect with America’s rich heritage.
Mary Anne Carter, Senior Advisor for the NEA, expressed the organization’s commitment to the military community: “The National Endowment for the Arts is honored to help connect military service members and their families with their communities through the Blue Star Museums program.” She emphasized the importance of museums in enabling military families to celebrate America’s history and culture.
The Blue Star Museums program has been a vital resource for military families for 15 years. Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families, stated, “Thanks to our continued partnership with the NEA and participating museums nationwide, we’re proud to continue this tradition of belonging and enrichment.” She highlighted how museums act as welcoming spaces for military families.
A diverse array of notable institutions are included in this year’s program, ranging from the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and the Heard Museum in Phoenix to smaller venues like the Palmer Historical Society in Alaska and Billings Farm & Museum in Vermont. For more details about participating…
CURRENT EDITION
RH
WASHINGTON BUREAU
U.S. and Bahrain Reaffirm Defense Partnership at Pentagon Meeting
On Thursday, high-level officials gathered at the Pentagon to reinforce the longstanding defense partnership between
U.S. and Bahrain Forge Path for Civil Nuclear Cooperation
In a significant diplomatic milestone, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Dr. Abdullatif bin
Monty Hobbs: From Pool Hall to Pop Culture Legacy

In an entertainment industry often driven by hype and algorithms, Monty Hobbs stands apart with a mission that blends legacy, storytelling, and community impact. He’s not just creating shows—he’s cultivating culture. As co-founder of Just Do GOOD Entertainment, Hobbs has built a portfolio that champions faith-rooted narratives, civic pride,…
From the Wild to the Wall: Why Investing in Johan Siggesson’s Photography Makes Sense

For more than ten years, acclaimed photographer Johan Siggesson has travelled to some of the world’s most remote and demanding locations, capturing breathtaking and thought-provoking images of iconic wildlife and the natural world. Known for his striking black and white animal prints, such as a powerful lion…
How the Canadian Polymath Views the Today’s World

Dr. Mosi Dorbayani sees today’s world as one undergoing a significant shift—particularly in how nations interact. In a recent interview, he noted that there’s a growing preference for informal negotiations over traditional multilateral treaties, suggesting a move toward more flexible, interest-based diplomacy.
He’s also deeply concerned about global crises…
Cycling Community Spirit Shines as INEX Club Charity Ride 2025 Wraps Up in Limassol

The INEX Club Charity Ride 2025 concluded successfully in Limassol, Cyprus on May 10, with 128 cyclists participating in 100km and 200km routes. The event raised funds to provide equipment for young Cypriot national team athletes, reinforcing the community’s commitment to youth cycling development.
The INEX Club Charity Ride 2025…
In the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of contemporary art, few emerging embody the term “interdisciplinary” with the same authenticity and technical prowess as Eleanor Katie Holliday. Known professionally as Ellie, she operates at the confluence of light, sound, structure, and story, crafting immersive experiences that transcend traditional artistic boundaries. From designing multimedia installations at prestigious New York galleries to shaping the audio-visual identity of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and from composing for global platforms like Audible to going viral with millions of views on TikTok, Holliday is not merely participating in the artistic dialogue—she is actively redefining its language for a new generation.
Based in New York, a city that thrives on creative collision, Ellie Holliday has rapidly carved out a unique niche as a visual artist, set designer, projection specialist, and sound composer. Her work is a testament to a deep understanding of both the analog and digital realms, seamlessly blending physical fabrication with ephemeral projections, and intricate soundscapes with tangible set pieces. This multifaceted approach has made her a sought-after collaborator across theatre, music, film, and installation art. As she navigates a demanding schedule that includes a key role at The Met and a design internship at…
Artist Jeffrey Gibson to create four new sculptures for The Met's Fifth Avenue facade
This fall, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is set to unveil a captivating suite of sculptures by acclaimed artist Jeffrey Gibson, known for his innovative approach and interdisciplinary work. The new installation will take center stage in the niches of the museum’s iconic Fifth Avenue facade. Gibson, a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, will create four figurative sculptures that delve into the intricate relationships between all living beings and the environment.
Commissioned specifically for this exhibition, titled “The Genesis Facade Commission: Jeffrey Gibson, The Animal That Therefore I Am”, the works will be on view from September 12, 2025, through June 9, 2026. This project is supported by Genesis, with significant backing from patrons including Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang, the Director’s Fund, and Cynthia Hazen Polsky and Leon B. Polsky, among others.
Max Hollein, The Met’s Marina Kellen French Director and Chief Executive Officer, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Jeffrey Gibson is one of the most remarkable artists of his generation and a pioneering figure within the field of native and Indigenous art. These new works are based on his signature use of unconventional materials and reimagined forms to explore often overlooked…
Navigating the Age of AI: 4 Expert Design Tips From Heer Mandalia

The intersection of artificial intelligence and graphic design is rapidly reshaping the creative landscape, opening new doors while posing fresh challenges for designers worldwide. Heer Mandalia, a seasoned graphic designer currently at NBCUniversal, stands at the forefront of this transformation. Drawing on over thirteen years of creative experience—six of…
4 Pieces of Live Performance Wisdom From Siwon Lee, Korean Jazz Pianist Shaping New York’s Sound

When it comes to navigating the world of live jazz piano, few voices carry the authenticity, resilience, and poetic insight of Korean pianist Siwon Lee. Having secured her place as an emerging artist in New York City—one of the world’s premier jazz capitals—Siwon Lee has performed in legendary venues…
Inside the mind of Expert TikTok Influencer: Winda Tiodang’s Viral Playbook

In the fast-paced world of social media, TikTok has emerged as one of the most influential platforms for content creators and brands alike. Among its standout influencers is Winda Tiodang, recognized for her expertise in producing viral TikTok videos that capture millions of views, engage diverse audiences, and set trends. Her…
Dance Fighting in Theater: The Art of Choreographing Combat, Vighnesh Dheenadhayalan

Choreography in modern theater transcends traditional boundaries, blending the precision of stage combat with the fluidity of dance to create powerful theatrical moments. When performers execute a perfectly timed stage fight that incorporates balletic elements, audiences experience both the visceral tension of conflict and the aesthetic beauty of movement….
Hollywood has never lacked handsome faces, yet every so often a new presence rewrites the entire rubric for charisma. Today, that presence is Enzo Zelocchi, an Italian-American polymath whose allure fuses old-school glamour with modern emotional nuance.
If yesterday’s ideal was a static leading man, today’s audience demands layered humanity. Zelocchi supplies it in spades, setting a fresh benchmark for style, substance, and star power.
Aesthetic Excellence
Timothée Chalamet owns avant-garde couture, and Henry Cavill turns heads with superhero symmetry, but Zelocchi threads the needle between them. On the carpet, he pairs razor-sharp tailoring with a quiet smolder that photographs can’t quite trap.
Where Chalamet leans ethereal and Cavill projects brute strength, Zelocchi lingers in the sweet spot: romantic yet slightly dangerous, refined yet unpredictable and extremely sexy. Paparazzi shots from the Cannes market to the London set of Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day keep fashion editors guessing which label he will champion next.
Emotional Range
Looks alone never crowned a legend. Cavill’s stoic hero and Chalamet’s thoughtful troubadour claim opposite poles on the emotional compass; Zelocchi simply occupies the entire map with an outstanding talent. He slips from seductive half-smile to soul-bare confession with a subtle shift of posture, hinting at reservoirs of feeling just below the surface.
Directors covet that malleability because it invites audiences to project their own hopes onto the screen. In an age of short attention spans, Zelocchi’s layered performances demand a longer gaze.
Talent and Brains
Beauty is only the opening act. Zelocchi…
Advice on Dancing, Choreographing, and Inclusivity: Beatriz Castro

Dance is more than a string of movements—it is a lingua franca which crosses borders, speaks the ineffable, and unites people through shared emotion and narrative. As a form of art, it reflects the range of human experience, from sorrow and joy to resistance and hope, turning stages into…
Trailblazing Maya Amelia Ferdiansyah Gives Six Valuable Tips for Strategists and Copywriters Who Want to Build Their Careers in NYC

In the bustling heart of New York City, where the streets pulse with energy and creativity, the art of copywriting demands a unique finesse. The first golden tip from Maya Amelia Ferdiansyah, a creative strategist & copywriter, is to say more with less. In a city that thrives on…
The Art of Storytelling: Insights From Ellenoor Shameli

Storytelling is the pulse of the human condition, a shared language that cuts across borders, generations, and platforms. It shapes how we learn history, empathize with strangers, and envision the future. From cave paintings to viral TikTok series, stories nourish culture, challenge norms, and spark movements. They transform data…
Today we'd like to introduce you to Tian Xu
Tianzhuo, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today?
My story starts in Beijing when I was three years old, crying over Patrick Swayze’s character going to heaven in Ghost while watching HBO. My mom was a journalist and TV news producer, so I was exposed to media from a very young age. That early emotional connection to cinema planted the seed for everything that followed.
In high school, I ran a movie appreciation club and organized watch parties, which is when I started seriously dreaming about making films. The leap from Beijing to California was huge – I was accepted into ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena and flew 12 hours to pursue my dream. After that, I attended Chapman University’s Dodge College, where I learned the craft of editing and made several award-winning short films.
My breakthrough came with my thesis film, “Drifting Boat,” about an elderly Chinese immigrant struggling to connect with her granddaughter. We shot it in Glendale, and it premiered at TCL Chinese Theatre. The film went on to win six festival awards and opened many doors for me in the documentary space.
One of…
EDITOR'S
CHOICE
Rising From the North: How Hayden Rivas is Redefining Canadian Excellence in Dance
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Receives Landmark Gift of Photographs From Artur Walther and the Walther Family Foundation

In a significant announcement, the Metropolitan Museum of Art revealed a promised gift of over 6,500 photographs and time-based media from the acclaimed collection of Artur Walther and the Walther Family Foundation. This extraordinary contribution aims to enhance the museum’s offerings in historical and contemporary photography, particularly from diverse…
Xiyu Deng: 5 Advice Every Creative Should Embrace

In a world where every swipe, click, and scroll is a transaction of attention, visual design has become the language of connection that’s universally understood. It’s not just about how it looks; it becomes something that seeps into your consciousness—turning information into feeling, brands into friends, and jargon into…
The House of Feigenblatt Holds Its First Dubai Gala at the Exclusive Palazzo Versace (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

The House of Feigenblatt held its first Dubai Gala on the 28th of April. It was presided by His Excellency Ambassador Otto Federico von Feigenblatt, Andean Parliament Special Envoy for Education and Head of the House of Feigenblatt. His Excellency welcomed over two hundred guests and presented a few…