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!

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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!

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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.

Art Salon

《洛杉矶美术馆里的“从写实到现代”》From Realism to Modernism at the Los Angeles Art Museum

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.

Art Salon

《欧洲音乐与大提琴European Music and Cello》

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

《诗情乐华Poetic Sentiments and Joyous Melodies》

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 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.

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.

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.

Art Salon

《兿林漫步》——"Strolling Through the Art Forest"

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.

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.

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.

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.