Watercolor Painting
July 9, 2026

80-Year-Old French Artist Has Spent Years Painting Live Sports Events From the Sidelines

While droves of press photographers battle to get the perfect shot at the French Open, 80-year-old painter Joël Blanc documents the excitement of the tournament in his own uniquely expressive way. Each year, he makes the short journey from his Paris studio to the Stade Roland Garros, where he captures the energy of the matches as dynamic watercolor sketches.

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Good News
July 8, 2026

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Confirms a Record-Setting $323 Million for Culture in the City

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the City Council have agreed to provide record-level funding to the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA). The city government will give $323.8 million to DCLA as part of its Fiscal Year 2027 budget. This is an increase of $24.2 million from 2026, a previous high, and $107 million more than the City Council’s Preliminary Financial Plan from March 2026. So, what does the DCLA do?

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Art
July 8, 2026

Vibrant Portraits Woven From Colorful Hair Beads Honor History, Identity, and Resilience [Interview]

In his intricate beaded portraits, multidisciplinary artist Felandus Thames spotlights historically marginalized figures, reclaiming their stories in defiance of the systems that have sought to erase their resistance. Composed of thousands of brightly colored and patterned hair beads, his large-scale wall-hung works transform individual beads into striking portraits that pulse with texture, depth, and emotion.

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Art
July 7, 2026

Artist Transforms Rusted Tin Roof Salvaged From Charleston Fire Into American Iconography [Interview]

The United States recently celebrated its 250th anniversary, and Charleston artist Fletcher Williams III is marking the occasion with a new solo exhibition titled 250 Years from Mr. Freedman. Presented in conjunction with the United States’ semiquincentennial, the exhibition centers on a series of sculptural wall reliefs made from the salvaged tin roof of a burned Freedman’s Cottage in Charleston.

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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.