On August 29, the East–West Cultural and Art Exchange Foundation presented its 25th Art Salon, Frida Kahlo: Art, Identity, and Resilience, featuring a lecture by Professor Irene Tong.

The program explored the artistic world of Frida Kahlo, whose deeply personal works transformed experiences of physical pain, love, struggle, and identity into a distinctive visual language. Through her self-portraits and symbolic imagery, Kahlo used the body not only as a subject, but also as a means of expressing personal experience and female identity.

Professor Tong guided participants through selected works by Kahlo, examining how the artist represented the female body, emotional experience, suffering, and resilience. The discussion also considered Kahlo’s work in relation to broader questions of women’s identity and self-expression in art.

The salon offered participants an opportunity to revisit the relationship between art and lived experience, and to consider how personal narratives can become powerful forms of artistic expression.

On August 26, the North America High-Level Business Forum, organized by Kaijie Think Tank with the support of the East–West Cultural and Art Exchange Foundation, was successfully held at the Foundation’s venue.

The forum brought together approximately 30 entrepreneurs, trade professionals, and community business leaders representing government, international trade, corporations, chambers of commerce, and Asia-Pacific business organizations.

Featured speakers included William Edwards, current Chairman of the Southern California District Export Council and a member of the Orange County World Affairs Council, as well as Richard M. Swanson Jr., current Director of the U.S. Commercial Service, Orange County, under the U.S. Department of Commerce. They shared insights on international trade, business development, and opportunities for cross-border cooperation.

More than a platform for exchanging ideas, the forum created meaningful opportunities for participants to connect with government resources, international trade networks, and the broader business community, encouraging dialogue and future collaboration across sectors.

On June 14, the 24th Art Salon invited guests to explore the unforgettable role of music in cinema. Led by renowned music producer Ye Yunchuan, the afternoon took participants on a journey through memorable film scores and the stories behind them.

Through a selection of iconic works, Ye shared how music can shape atmosphere, deepen emotion, and transform a cinematic moment into a lasting memory. His insightful commentary guided the audience beyond simply listening to the melodies, offering a deeper appreciation of the relationship between music, storytelling, and the moving image.

Familiar themes brought back memories of beloved films, while each piece revealed how music can communicate emotions that images and words alone cannot fully express.

It was an afternoon of music, film, and shared memories—a journey through timeless melodies that continue to move audiences across generations.

On May 3, 2026, the Foundation hosted its 23rd Art Salon, inviting guests on a poetic journey through the Grand View Garden of Dream of the Red Chamber. Led by an experienced Chinese-American educator with a deep interest in classical Chinese poetry, the gathering explored the beauty and meaning of selected poems from this literary masterpiece.

Dream of the Red Chamber, written by Cao Xueqin in the 18th century, is one of the great classics of Chinese literature. Through its richly drawn characters and poetic storytelling, it explores love, family, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life.

During the salon, guests revisited the Grand View Garden through poetry, discovering the elegance and emotion woven into its verses. Through thoughtful readings and discussion, the poems opened a window into the characters, relationships, and sensibilities that make Dream of the Red Chamber such an enduring work.

The gathering offered a thoughtful encounter with classical Chinese literature, bringing its poetic world to life for a contemporary audience and creating a space to appreciate the beauty and depth of traditional Chinese poetry.

On March 28, the East–West Cultural and Art Exchange Foundation presented its 22nd Art Salon, “Japanese Ukiyo-e: Past and Present,” featuring guest speaker Cindy Wang.

During the event, Wang presented a selection of rare Ukiyo-e works from her personal collection and guided guests through the origins, major artistic movements, and distinctive characteristics of this important Japanese art form. Her presentation also explored the broader influence of Ukiyo-e on the development of Western and modern art.

2026 Art Gala — Kong Xiangdong Piano Music Sharing Concert

Sunday, February 22, 2026

The East–West Cultural and Art Exchange Foundation’s annual 2026 Art Gala was held on February 22 at the Zhou Ning Photography Museum, featuring renowned pianist Kong Xiangdong.

Through performances of Yellow River, his original composition Love, and interactive musical creation with the audience, Kong offered a unique exploration of art and life. The evening reflected the warmth, connection, and healing power of music, creating a memorable artistic experience for all in attendance.

check more details from the news report: 音樂與光影交會 「孔祥東鋼琴音樂分享會」在周寧攝影博物館隆重舉行 【悠健生活志 US Health Lifestyle】

To welcome the arrival of 2026, Chinese communities across Southern California marked the New Year through a variety of meaningful traditions, including family reunions, gatherings with friends, and vibrant community celebrations. Among the many New Year’s Eve events, one stood out for its exceptional artistic quality and profound cultural significance: the Orange County Chinese New Year’s Eve Concert—also the 21st Cultural and Art Salon of the Zhou Ning Photography Museum, themed “Let Art Dialogue with Life.” The concert was held on the evening of December 31 at the Zhou Ning Photography Museum in Aliso Viejo.

More than a festive gathering, the event brought together Chinese artists, scholars, and representatives from cultural institutions throughout Southern California. With its internationally acclaimed performances and professional presentation, the concert became one of the most distinctive and spiritually uplifting highlights of the region’s New Year’s Eve celebrations within the Chinese community.

The evening opened with remarks by Zhou Ning, an internationally renowned photographer and Chairman of the East–West Cultural and Art Exchange Foundation. In his speech, Zhou expressed his hope that the concert would serve not only as a stage for artistic expression, but also as a bridge for cultural exchange and spiritual dialogue. He emphasized the importance of enabling Chinese artists to use music and visual imagery to convey the warmth, depth, and vitality of Chinese culture to the broader mainstream society. As he noted, “Only when art truly integrates into life can culture sustain lasting vitality.” This philosophy became the guiding principle of the evening’s concert.

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Saturday afternoon, music lovers and art explorers alike joined Sam Sun on a fascinating musical journey through time, spanning from the Renaissance to Modernism!

In this unique art salon, participants not only listened to representative works from different musical eras but also, through Sam Sun’s insightful explanations and expressive performances, experienced the evolving ideas and diverse aesthetic sensibilities that shaped each period.

The journey through time was captivating and inspiring — and there is more to come!

Yesterday- the Labor Day Weekend, despite the Temecula Valley’s summer heatwave, we were thrilled to welcome over sixty friends—both familiar faces and new ones—to our vineyard. The day was filled with joyful music, delicious food, and warm, engaging conversation. Guests enjoyed the unique experience of picking grapes straight from the vine and savoring their natural sweetness.

It was a beautiful celebration of community, connection, and the simple pleasures of vineyard life—a truly unforgettable day.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it so special!

音乐分享人-朱毅

Summer Art Salon Series: Contemporary Art Tour at The Broad
As part of our ongoing Summer Art Salon program, we were delighted to host an immersive contemporary art tour at The Broad Museum today. Led by Professor Irene Tang, PhD in Fine Arts, the tour offered our members a deeper understanding of key contemporary works and movements, sparking thoughtful discussion and new perspectives. These museum visits continue to be a cornerstone of our commitment to engaging with the arts in meaningful and accessible ways.

COMINAt our art salon, renowned North American art blogger Cindy Wang gave a talk on “Home Aesthetics & Art Pairing.” Art is something everyone can enjoy in everyday life. Beauty isn’t limited to the walls—it becomes part of the soul of the home.

Professor He Qi, a famous art doctor and painter, was the guest speaker of the first session of the art salon "Walking in the Forest of Art" two years ago. He was full of emotion when he came to the salon again to give a lecture on "Talking about Modern Art". He said that this reminded him of the biographical novel "The Moon and Sixpence" written by British writer Maugham for the post-impressionist painter Gauguin: People often look down to find six pennies on the ground and forget the moon above their heads.

It is not easy for Chinese people to make a living in California, but it is really touching to deliberately stop and look up at the moon above their heads to find the immersion of artistic beauty!

Learn more, please check Art Salon

Photography is the art of light and shadow, also a witness of the times. How does documentary photography capture social changes through the lens. How do images influence public cognition and promote social thinking. This lecture explored the unique value of photography in social records, news dissemination and cultural expression, and let you appreciate the stories behind the lens.

Photography enthusiasts, news practitioners and social observers we gather together to explore how photography connects reality and history, and let images become the footnotes of the times!

Guest Speaker Mr. YanGuang He. Photographer, Senior Journalist

The Museum Art Gala organized by our foundation has come to a successful conclusion! Famous musicians, artists, entrepreneurs, collectors, and members of our foundation gathered together to communicate with the famous Hollywood film music composer Mr. Wang ZongXian (Nathan Wang), and enjoyed a classic and romantic film music feast performed live by Mr. Wang and his orchestra!

For more information, please check Art Gala

The art foundation successfully held the first art salon event in 2025. Ms. ZhangXi discussed with everyone the use of artificial intelligence in documentary creation through her documentary about historical figures of creative writers. With the rapid development of science and technology, artificial intelligence applications are urgently and widely used, and gradually become an innovative force in the field of content creation and production.

Ms. ZhangXi

Wine tasting expert Wan Yunong explained and guided everyone about traditional wines, from sparkling wine, white wine to red wine and sweet wine, so that everyone can truly understand that wine is the art of life. Only by choosing the right wine and understanding it can you enjoy the wine in the glass!

Mr. Johnny Yoder, artistic director of the Stella Adler Center for the Performing Arts in the United States and instructor of the acting master class, gave a lecture on "The Magic of Oscar-winning Actor and Actress".

Mr. Johnny Yoder

Art Tour—The group members came to the Norton Simon Museum, and under the guidance of Professor He Qi, a doctor of art, they deeply appreciated the art masterpieces collected in this exquisite museum.

Mr. He Qi

A dinner meeting between the VIP members of the Foundation and Tan Yuanyuan. The wonderful performances by artist friends added to the fun, creating a warm and elegant atmosphere.

Ms. YuanYuan Tan

Professor Pan Zhichang, a famous Chinese aesthetician and scholar of the Dream of the Red Chamber, gave the participants a wonderful speech on Chinese culture and aesthetics - When "The Analects of Confucius" meets "The Bible".

Mr. Pan Zhichang

The guest speaker, Mr. Zhang Zhenhua, expressed through the works and anecdotes of art masters from ancient times to the present that non-verbal methods such as painting, music, and drama can allow people to vent their inner emotions, stress, and anxiety, thereby healing the soul.

Mr. Zhang Zhenhua

Mr. Rubik Babakanian, the foundation board member, introduced Persian history, culture and traditional cuisine to the members. The members sang and danced while tasting the food, creating a cheerful and warm atmosphere.

"Telling Chinese music stories in the world's language"

Mr. Ye Yunchuan, a famous music producer of Ruiming Music, shared his wonderful music works and creation stories from tradition to fashion, from primitive ecology to world music. The on-site audiophile sound system brought members and music lovers a soul-stirring listening experience.

From left to right, Ms. Lisa, Mr. Ye Yunchuan and Mr. NingZhou

On the evening of January 6, 2024, the East-West Cultural and Art Exchange Foundation held an annual celebration event called "NZ Museum Art GALA" at the Zhou Ning Photography Museum in Orange County, Los Angeles. Famous Los Angeles artists, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and members of the foundation gathered together to celebrate the New Year with other art lovers at the Zhou Ning Photography Museum. More than 80 guests and entrepreneurs attended the event, including Mr. Wang Taiyu, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, Mr. Trevor O'Neill, former mayor of Anaheim, and his wife, Ms. Zhang Haiyan, Vice President of Irvine Bank, Ms. Zhang Ning, President of the North American Trucking Association, Mr. Kevin Guan, and Ms. Liu Dongni of Pilot Real Estate.

Art Salon

《戏剧之美》The Beauty of Drama

Orange County, November 11, 2023 — The United States East-West Cultural and Art Exchange Foundation hosted its seventh edition of the Art Salon, titled "The Beauty of Drama," at the Zhou Ning Photography Museum in Orange County.

Mrs. Lisa, the hostess of the salon, warmly welcomed cultural enthusiasts and members from all walks of life on behalf of the foundation. She introduced the distinguished guest speaker for the event, Mr. Chen Jinsong. Mr. Chen is not only a well-known lawyer and Ph.D. in law in Los Angeles but also holds dual doctorates specializing in drama and comparative literature between East and West. He is a professor at the University of California.

In a captivating two-hour lecture, Professor Chen Jinsong, drawing upon his expertise in drama, enriched life experiences, and a profound understanding of the subject, condensed over two thousand years of global theatrical history into an essence of classic moments. The lecture traversed ancient Greek tragedies, Elizabethan dramas, Chinese Yuan Dynasty miscellaneous plays, Ming Dynasty legendary dramas, French classical dramas, Henrik Ibsen's modern realism, Samuel Beckett's absurd drama "Waiting for Godot," Chinese plays such as Cao Yu's "Thunderstorm" and Lao She's "Teahouse," and Nobel laureate J.M. Coetzee's psychological drama "Someone is Coming," as well as traditional Chinese opera exemplified by Mei Lanfang's Peking opera and the Eight Model Plays, among others.

Professor Chen also delved into the origins and development of theatrical stages, the three major systems of theatrical performance, and the contributions of great playwrights and actors. Sharing personal experiences from interviewing performance artists, he reflected on the significance of drama education in the arts, emphasizing that drama is the last bastion of pure literature and a mirror reflecting life.

The audience and members who attended the salon represented a diverse group, including professors, CEOs of venture-backed companies, artists, music conductors, doctors, and high-tech professionals. Despite their varied backgrounds, they all shared a deep love for literature and the arts. Engrossed and captivated, they eagerly participated in the lively interactive session that followed Professor Chen's lecture. Attendees praised the enlightening and professional nature of the presentation, commending the foundation for providing an excellent platform for cultural and artistic enthusiasts to share, learn, and communicate. They expressed gratitude for the foundation's role in refining aesthetic sensibilities, purifying the soul, and expanding the collective spiritual horizon.

The "Beauty of Drama" salon proved to be a resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on all those in attendance and reaffirming the foundation's commitment to fostering cultural exchange and appreciation within the community.

Art Salon

《走进肖像艺术的世界》 Exploring the World of Portrait Art

On the afternoon of September 30, 2023, the East-West Cultural Art Exchange Foundation successfully held its sixth Art Salon event. Foundation members and art enthusiasts gathered at the Zhou Ning Photography Museum in Aliso Viejo, Orange County, California, for this salon event. The host of the salon, Lisa, warmly welcomed everyone and explained the foundation's mission: to bring artists and individuals interested in cultural arts together, creating a platform for sharing, learning, and exchanging ideas, using art as a means to connect the world and connect with one another.

The theme of this salon was "Exploring the World of Portrait Art," with the keynote speaker being Mr. Zhou Ning, the founder and chairman of the foundation, a renowned visual artist, and photographer. Mr. Zhou Ning also currently serves as the Dean of the Nanjing Academy of Visual Arts and is a member of the Jiangsu Provincial Art Education Committee. With his outstanding artistic expertise and a professional background in photography education, Mr. Zhou Ning injected boundless energy into this salon.

During the event, Mr. Zhou Ning provided a rich and detailed presentation, using textual and visual materials, to explain the artistic background, lighting techniques, and symbolism of the famous Dutch painter Rembrandt's portrait paintings. He pointed out that Rembrandt's use of lighting not only influenced portrait photography but also had an impact on Hollywood film production and the stage lighting of Broadway musicals.

Additionally, he also explained the classic photographic works of the 20th-century portrait master, Yousuf Karsh, who is often hailed as the "Rembrandt of Photography." Karsh captured famous politicians, writers, painters, actors, and other prominent figures by seizing the genuine moments that vividly portrayed their inner strength.

Finally, Mr. Zhou Ning conducted an on-site tutorial on using mobile phones to learn portrait photography with Rembrandt-style lighting. He encouraged members to come on stage and engage in interactive teaching with him, transforming the audience's approach from emotional photography to rational creative work. This provided a valuable learning opportunity for everyone in attendance.

Art Salon

《艺术之旅——走进O‘ Keeffe&Moor》

Art Journey ——Exploring O'Keeffe & Moore

On August 6, 2023, the East-West Cultural Art Exchange Foundation hosted its fifth Art Salon event at the San Diego Museum of Art in San Diego. The event, titled "Exploring the Works of O'Keeffe and Moore," attracted a group of art enthusiasts and culture enthusiasts. The salon's host, Lisa, introduced the foundation's mission to the guests: to bring together artists from around the world and art lovers through art as a platform for cooperation, dialogue, and education, facilitating the sharing of experiences and insights.

For this particular salon, we moved to the beautiful art museum, where, with the assistance of professional guides, we had the opportunity to admire over 120 captivating masterpieces. This experience allowed us to feel the extraordinary charm of these two artists and gain a deeper understanding of the mysteries of art creation.