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".
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.
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.
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".
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. Rubik, the foundation director, 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.
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.
Speech Guest: Mr. JinSong Chen
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.
Art Salon host: Lisa Li
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.
The founder of the foundation: Mr Zhou Ning
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 host of the foundation: Lisa
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.
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.
Guest Speaker: Ms. He Jiayuan
On the afternoon of June 24th, the long-awaited fourth edition of the Art Salon, titled "From Realism to Modernism at the Los Angeles Art Museum," organized by the American East-West Cultural and Art Exchange Foundation, took place at the "Zhou Ning Photography Museum." This event brought together nearly a hundred members and guests who share a deep love for music and art, and it received a warm and enthusiastic response. The entire salon was hosted by Mr. He Jiayuan, who provided vivid explanations of the realistic and modernist artworks at the Los Angeles Art Museum, along with his unique insights on life and humanity. The presentation was captivating, filled with a series of exciting moments that left the audience thoroughly engaged.
Ms. He Jiayuan graduated from the Department of Art History at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and has previously taught at the Beijing Education College's Department of Fine Arts. She has also served as the Director of the Asian Art Department at Dynamic Central Auction Company.
The cellist Zhu Yibing and his wife, Dong Xiao.
On the afternoon of May 6th, the highly anticipated third edition of the Art Salon organized by the American East-West Cultural and Arts Foundation took place at the "Zhou Ning Photography Museum." The event, centered around the exchange of European music culture and a cello presentation by Mr. Zhu Yibing, received a warm and enthusiastic response. The entire musical gathering featured a solo performance by Mr. Zhu Yibing, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Dong Xiao, on the piano. Throughout the event, Mr. Zhu provided insights into the musical pieces, comparisons between Eastern and Western musical cultures, and his unique perspectives on life and humanity. The performance was a captivating and exhilarating experience with one climax after another.
Mr. Zhu Yibing is an internationally renowned cellist and a board member of the Chinese Musicians Association. He achieved recognition in 1986 when he won the Geneva International Cello Competition, becoming the first Chinese cellist to win a major international competition. He has served as the principal cellist of the Basel Symphony Orchestra in Switzerland and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Germany. Additionally, he has taught at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and the National Superior Conservatory of Music in Paris, France. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first Asian professor in the 227-year history of the latter institution.
During the event, Mr. Zhu performed 14 classic cello pieces such as Caccini's "Ave Maria," Bach's "Unaccompanied Cello Suite No.1 in G Major," Rachmaninov's "Vocalise," and more. Mr. Zhu's cello performance was rich in depth and tension, transitioning from subtle and profound to fervent and exuberant, encompassing a sense of sacred grandeur. It allowed the audience to reconnect with their inner selves, becoming entranced in a spiritual return through the power of music. As introduced by the salon's host, Lisa, Mr. Zhu Yibing masterfully fused emotions through music and language, guiding the audience into a wondrous realm of music.
Art salon host : Lisa
On March 18th, the East-West Cultural Art Exchange Foundation hosted a unique art salon event at the "Zhou Ning Photography Museum." The event, titled "Poetic Sentiments and Joyous Melodies" - Yang Guang's International Art Song Appreciation Evening, was attended by nearly a hundred music enthusiasts who had the pleasure of listening to the renowned international mezzo-soprano singer, Yang Guang, perform classic Chinese and foreign songs. She was accompanied by pianist Wang Lei.
The spectacular performance of international renowned mezzo-soprano singer Yang Guang, singing a repertoire of Chinese and foreign art songs.
The splendid performance of internationally renowned mezzo-soprano singer Yang Guang, through her enchanting renditions of Chinese and foreign art songs, allows people to immerse themselves in the wondrous notes of music and experience the charm of art.
In 1996, Yang Guang graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in China with top honors and remained at the school as a teacher. In 1998, she was awarded a full scholarship to pursue further studies at the Opera Center of The Juilliard School in New York, USA. In 2001, she earned a diploma as a senior performing artist from the institution. From 2002 to 2005, she signed with the renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago, becoming the first young Asian resident artist. She has received numerous international awards and has participated in performances in several major operas.
Art Salon’s host Lisa
The host of the art salon, Lisa Li, conducted an interview with Yang Guang, engaging in discussions about her singing career. This discussion significantly enhanced the artistic taste of the appreciation evening and was warmly received by all attendees.
Art salon host Lisa Li and mezzo-soprano singer Yang Guang in conversation.
The President of the East-West Cultural Art Exchange Foundation, Zhou Ning, expressed that in the future, they plan to use the space of the photography museum as a platform to organize a series of art salon events. These events will encompass various academic activities such as painting, photography, music, literature, and art appreciation. The aim is to bring refined art into people's lives, enhance their artistic taste, and use art as a means to connect the world. These small, high-end theater performances provide a unique experience, where the audience and artists have close encounters, creating a different and intimate artistic connection.
The Salon’s Host Lisa
On February 26, 2023, the East-West Cultural Art Exchange Foundation held its first salon lecture event at the Zhou Ning Photography Museum in Orange County, USA. The event 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 and art lovers from around the world through art as a platform for cooperation, dialogue, and education, to share experiences and insights.
Dr. He Qi, an art scholar
The first exhibition was titled "Strolling Through the Art Forest 《兿林漫步》.” (The guest speaker was Dr. He Qi, an art scholar. He discussed a wide range of topics, from primitive cave paintings to Picasso, from classical art to postmodern art, and from Van Gogh's "Starry Night" to Japanese woodblock prints. He vividly explained various art movements through images, leaving a deep impression on the audience.
A group of photography teachers and students from the Nanjing Institute of Visual Arts enjoyed a trip to the U.S. They visited major museums, galleries, art shows, individual artists and attended lectures as part of a two week Western arts intensive.
On November 1, 2018 the East-West Culture & Arts Foundation signed an agreement of major support for the Newport Film Festival and its Bridge to China initiative. It is envisioned that this relationship will facilitate the building of strong cross-cultural ties between film makers, students and teachers from East and West and become a major element in future annual editions of the Newport Film Festival.
A delegation of district leaders from Nanjing visited EWCAF, July 27th - 29th, to explore possibilities of cooperation with the core purpose of EWCAF to foster closer cross-cultural ties through the arts between East and West.
The Board met on July 15th. John Upton and Harrison Engle were invited to join the Exploratory Committee to help establish a museum of photographic arts within the new headquarters building.
2019 saw the establishment of the East-West Culture & Arts Foundation in its beautiful new 19,000 sq. ft headquarters at 35 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA. Set up on a 'by appointment' basis, the new gallery shares its impressive new quarters with Ning Zhou Gallery and a planned museum of photographic arts.
East West Culture and Arts Foundation is proud to announce that it will host an exhibition of twenty-nine paintings on rice paper by prominent Chinese artist, Wang Xin Yong, from April 5 - 12, 2018 at Ning Zhou Gallery of Laguna Beach. The artist will be in attendance at the show’s Opening Reception which will be held Thursday evening, April 5th, from
6 ~ 9 pm – a must-see stop on April’s First Thursdays Art Walk.
Like Ning Zhou Gallery’s well-known namesake, Wang Xin Yong is from Nanjing, China. Paintings on exhibit will showcase his insights into the nature and cultural landscapes experienced during his extensive sojourns in the United States over the last decade. Although firmly rooted in traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy techniques having studied at the Nanjing Arts Institute and China’s Central Academy of Fine Arts, Wang’s work also is infused with Western influences using traditional Chinese paint and inks as well as watercolors. His ink-and-wash technique has clearly been influenced by the accurate modeling, textural expression, colors and brushwork of Western painting. Whether inspired by a squirrel, an adobe church or a woods, these “love letters to nature” are ingenious amalgams of East and West, full of charm, quietude and warm-heartedness.
Wang is a member of the Artists Association & Calligraphers Association in Jiangsu Province, Chairman of Jiangsu Micro Technology & Culture Co. Ltd, Executive Vice President of the US Jiangsu General Chamber of Commerce and Deputy Director of the Culture and Arts Commission of the US Jiangsu General Chamber of Commerce.
He has held many exhibits and workshops in Beijing, Nanjing, New York, Santa Fe, J. Wayne STARK Galleries in Texas A&M University, Brazos Valley Art Center, Asia Study Center in Michigan State University.
The East West Culture and Arts Foundation and Jiangsu Provisional Federation of Literary and Art Circles are co-hosting “Glorious Jiangsu”, an exhibition of 60 photographs, at the Ning Zhou Gallery, 357 South Coast HWY, Laguna Beach, CA, Oct. 14th – 20th, 2017. Opening Ceremonies will launch the exhibit on Saturday, Oct.14th from 4:30 – 6:00 pm.
One of China’s most lovely and interesting provinces, Jiangsu faces California across the Pacific Ocean located as it is on China’s east coast. Somehow its ancient history, resourceful inhabitants and lovely topography come together to create a distinctively inclusive culture comprised of diversified groups – Wu and Han, North and South. This harmony is reflected throughout the entire exhibit.
This exhibition of 60 photographs taken by amateur and professional photographers from every corner of Jiangsu shows the province in all its glory: rural – urban, traditional –modern, coastal – inland. Viewers will be charmed by its trees and grasses, old streets and rainy alleys as they pass through Jiangsu’s the seasons.
The East West Culture and Arts Foundation was founded by famous artist and resident of both Laguna and Nanjing, Jiangsu’s major city, Ning Zhou. Its mission is to bridge East and West, build a platform and deepen understanding and respect in general. Ning also founded the first Chinese-owned art gallery in Laguna Beach which features his remarkable photographs. Ning Zhou Gallery is very pleased to be hosting this special event.
The Dana Point Yacht Club graciously extended an invitation to Lisa Li and Ning Zhou to visit which they happily accepted.
Lisa Li and Ning Zhou enjoyed their attendance at the Laguna Board of Realtors' "Taste for Charity" event on the evening of July 28th
EWCAF founders, Lisa Li and Ning Zhou, attended the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner on January 29th.
Ning Zhou Gallery showed the art photographs of its namesake at the Palm Springs Fine Art Fair the week of February 11 - 14.
In August, Ning Zhou Gallery opened the doors to its beautiful gallery situated between the South Coast Highway and Main Beach in Laguna Beach
The art photography of Ning Zhou was on exhibit at the 24th edition of Los Angeles' premier photography show, PhotoLA, the week of January 15 - 18.
Students and teachers from the Nanjing Institute of Visual Arts came to the United States to study and directly experience Western art.
Ning Zhou exhibited at the annual International Los Angeles Photographic Arts Exposition in January.
