Arts and Culture
Big Turnout at 2024 Chinese Lunar New Year Parade in Flushing, New York
The neighborhood of Flushing in New York City saw a big turnout for the 2024 Chinese Lunar New Year parade. This year is the Year of the Dragon, and taking part in the parade were many Falun Gong practitioners. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual discipline and meditation practice with moral […]
From Baseball Player to Shen Yun Principal Dancer, Jesse Browde Hopes to Inspire People to Be Better
In this exclusive interview with NTD, Jesse Browde, a principal dancer of Shen Yun Performing Arts, talks about life as a dancer for the world’s elite group for classical Chinese dance. Was it really Navy SEAL-level training like he thought it would be? And how did classical Chinese dance even become his career of choice? […]
Clockwork Treasures From China’s Forbidden City on Display in London
A new exhibition at London’s Science Museum features a collection of clockwork treasures displayed together in the UK for the first time. The treasures are called ‘Zimingzhong’ which translates to ‘bells that ring themselves.
21st Century Bladesmith Keeping Traditional Craft Alive–and Thriving
In our modern world, efficiency is often valued above almost everything else. Some artisans and craftsmen, however, are keeping their traditional crafts alive—and are keen to pass them on to the next generation. NTD spoke to Alaska native and self-taught traditional bladesmith Trevor Barret, who has his forge and workshop in what he calls “one […]
Art Instructor Shares Details of Creating Realistic Oil Paintings
In an interview with NTD, Renae Wang, an art instructor from Laguna College of Art and Design, offered a profound exploration of the intricate process of crafting realist oil paintings. Ms. Wang shared insights on selective detailing and provided valuable advice for aspiring artists, also unveiling the inspiration behind her competition submission—a captivating oil on […]
Oil Paintings Capture Emotion, Tell of Triumph in Adversity: NTD Figure Painting Competition
NTD’s 6th International Figure Painting Competition is a delight to behold, with 60 award-winning oil paintings by over 50 artists from more than 20 countries at the finalists’ exhibition. The competition seeks to use this art form to foster traditional values and positive ideals, such as righteousness, beauty, and compassion. Art-lovers can view the paintings […]
6th NTD International Figure Painting Competition Winners Announced
NTD concluded its 6th International Figure Painting Competition with an award ceremony at the Salmagundi Club in New York on Jan. 18. A total of 60 entries from 20 countries around the world were selected for the final exhibition. After a review from the judges, there was no Gold Award given out this year, but […]
‘The Infinite Grace of Buddha’ on View at NTD Competition
NEW YORK—When you walk into the finalist exhibition of 6th NTD International Figure Painting Competition (NIFPC), you’ll find the wall furthest back bathed in a heavenly light. On display through Jan. 19 at the Salmagundi Club in New York City is “The Infinite Grace of Buddha,” an eye-catching triptych almost nine feet high, submitted by […]
A Movement to Restore Traditional Painting
NEW YORK—Immediately upon the artists convening for the 2019 NTD International Figure Painting Competition, the community was abuzz with excitement for the next competition and the prospect of furthering a mission to advance art through “pure beauty, pure kindness, [and] pure authenticity.” Then a pandemic struck, and wars followed. It would be years before enough […]
Shen Yun Performing Arts Set to Enchant Audiences With 2024 World Tour
As the Christmas holidays approach, New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts is gearing up to launch its 2024 touring season. The first performance will kick off on Dec. 22 in Nagoya, Japan. Returning this year with an all-new set of programs, Shen Yun’s eight equally sized companies—each with a live orchestra—are set to tour around […]
The Brooklyn Bridge: Celebrating 140 Years of Iconic Grandeur
Celebrating its 140th birthday, the Brooklyn Bridge is a top contender for New York City’s most iconic landmark. NTD ventured to this legendary structure spanning Manhattan’s East River, soaking in its rich history and enduring mystique. With each step, the bridge’s grandeur and architectural marvels painted a vibrant picture of the city’s timeless allure.
Thai Rice Farmer Makes Art With Plantings That Depict Cats
BAN KHON SUNG, Thailand—A sleeping cat hugs a fish in a picture seen from the air, picked out in sprouting rainbow seedlings in a rice field in Thailand to illustrate a traditional proverb about abundance. Farmer Tanyapong Jaikham and a team of workers planted the seedlings at various spots in the field in the northern […]
Hidden Treasures: Paris Fair Unveils Rare Artworks
Art dealers from around the world came together at the Paris International Art Fair, presenting an array of artworks spanning from ancient pieces to contemporary creations, highlighting the beauty and grace of art. Among them were exclusive private collections displaying stunning masterpieces seldom accessible to the public eye.
Visitors Will Be Allowed in Florence Chapel’s Secret Room to Ponder If Drawings Are Michelangelo’s
FLORENCE, Italy—Just four at a time, visitors soon will be allowed access to a long-hidden space inside Florence’s Medici Chapel where delicate charcoal drawings sketched on the walls have been attributed by some experts to Michelangelo. The secret room—a tiny 10-by-3 meters (33-by-10 feet) space—was discovered in 1975, when officials were searching for a new […]
‘Nourishing to the Spirit’: Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra Inspires Audiences at Lincoln Center
Art-loving New Yorkers gathered at Lincoln Center to witness the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra’s first show of the year. The performance ended with a standing ovation, with some audience members describing it as a healing experience. This is the first time Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra returned to New York after four years, bringing two uplifting […]
Touring NYC’s Monumental Former US Custom House
America may not have been around as long as many other nations and civilizations, but it does have some gems from the days of old. At the southern tip of Manhattan is the former Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, one of the most monumental structures in New York. NTD explored its striking architecture and statuary […]
Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra ‘Healing, Cathartic’
NEW YORK—Eugenia Vergara, a healer, felt healed herself as she listened to Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra perform on stage. “I was very tearful and emotional from the very beginning,” said Ms. Vegara after attending the evening concert at David Geffen Hall, the last performance of the season. “For me, it’s a more of a healing, […]
Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra ‘Lifts You Up,’ Says Acclaimed Guitarist
NEW YORK—Acclaimed composer and guitarist Spiros Exaras has long enjoyed the ancient Chinese instrument erhu, and seeing it embedded into a Western classical orchestra by Shen Yun, he now feels inspired to write something for the instrument himself. “It’s very cinematic,” he said at a Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra concert at David Geffen Hall. Mr. […]
‘A Perfect Sound’: New York Audience Applauds Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra
NEW YORK—From the moment Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra began to play, a sort of peace settled over Nicole Fiene, who attended the first of the only two concerts the orchestra is performing this season. She invited Steve Breckner and several other friends to see the performance at David Geffen Hall, and when it paused for […]