Posts by Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
Store
April 24, 2026

Get Creatively Outfitted With Art History You Can Wear

What you wear can tell people a lot about you. Like it or not, everything, from your shirt and shoes to socks and earrings, gives an at-a-glance look at color preferences and even your interests. For art history lovers, there’s no better way to express your adoration for the subject than by displaying it on your ears, feet, or around your shoulder.

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Archeology
April 21, 2026

“Trey” the Triceratops Skeleton Sells for $5.5 Million, Setting an Online Auction Record

Trey the Triceratops skeleton recently fetched a pretty penny at an auction. Through JOOPITER, a global digital-first commerce and content platform founded by Pharrell Williams, Trey sold for $5.5 million, thereby establishing a record for a dinosaur skeleton sold in an online-only auction. News of the auction was announced in early March 2026, and, unsurprisingly, captivated people from around the world.

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Photo Contest
April 20, 2026

2026 Sony World Photography Awards Reveals Incredible Winners of the Professional Competition

The Sony World Photography Awards has announced its 2026 overall winners, and the creative possibilities within the field are on full display. The lauded images include portraiture, landscapes, and compositions that blur the line between photography and fine art. Among the winning photographs emerges the prestigious Photographer of the Year award. In 2026—the 19th edition of the competition—Citlali Fabián won for her series Bilha, Stories of my Sisters.

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Art
April 17, 2026

Artist Uses AI To Reimagine His Older Work as the Ingredients for a New Series of Animal Art

Artist Jim Naughten finds animals more interesting than people. It’s not for lack of trying; throughout his creative life, he’s studied a wide range of topics. “My work has been inspired by books and childhood interests,” Naughten tells My Modern Met, “particularly historical subject matter, ranging from WWII military re-enactors through to Namibian tribes in Victorian costume.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.