Healthy, gorgeous, and fun, the Japanese culinary art of Kyaraben is sure to attract the more artistic foodies among us. Kyaraben, short for Character Bento, is the art of preparing boxed lunches (Bento) to resemble characters or scenes. Using materials such as: rice, seaweed, vegetables, fish, and meat, mothers and chefs alike can make lunches that range from adorable cartoon characters to highly artistic works of art.   

New York City can be a harsh reality for a 20-something with big dreams and a small bank account. Each year, countless artists, musicians, writers and romantics alike flock to the city in hopes of changing the world through their talents. The Antagonist Movement, a social art movement born in NYC, strives to provide these artists with an outlet for their work.

On Friday May 31, 2013, Village Playback Theatre hosted its Spring Gala at Lincoln Center to honor its patrons, actors, colleagues, and clients with cocktails, a live auction, and an improvisational show. 

Randy Mulder co-founded Village Playback Theatre in 2012. Mulder specialized in Drama Therapy as an undergraduate and graduate and he is now the Artistic Director of the company.

On May 17, UNICEF hosted its 4th annual Next Generation Photo Benefit at the Milk Gallery presented by Serenity Pharmaceuticals. “Seeing ZERO,” this year’s theme, invited both professional and Next Generation photographers to submit their interpretation of ZERO, through shape, feeling, place, or abstraction.

The National Academy, which describes itself as “a lively community of artists, architects, educators, students, museum-goers, and those dedicated to the arts in America,” honored installation artist, Christo, at their Spring Gala. The event, on May 16, began with a silent auction and cocktail hour. From there, the black tie night bubbled with champagne and good company. Tables adorned with eye-catching crystal and lovely floral arrangements complimented the warm ambiance of the room.

This week, Frieze Art Fair came back to New York to bring together 180 of the best international galleries for what The New York Times called a “hugely successful contemporary art extravaganza” on Randall’s Island. 

The fair, which grew out of the British art magazine, Frieze, started in 2003 and has been to New York only once before. Installations lined the perimeter of the island along with local businesses like Mission Chinese and Lost Weekend.

A foot in the door. That is what Y&S promises.

Founded by a group of young art fanatics, Young and Starving is a non-profit organization committed to helping young artists realize their dreams of making an impact -- or rent, with the main goal to make the art world more accessible for both young artists as well as young audiences. By organizing shows, studio visits, and gallery talks, Y&S provides the resources and publicity for new and deserving talent.

Eliza Coven and Vivian Brodie talk to TWELV about making their mission a reality.

Last night, City Harvest hosted their annual gala honoring Chef Marc Murphy, "An Evening of Practical Magic". The dinner was accompained by an auction to raise money for the company’s newest initiative, the 30-30-30 campaign. The remarkable organization proudly improves lives by supplying millions of pounds of food to hungry New Yorkers annually, in addition to launching programs to promote Healthy Neighborhoods and nutrition classes for low-income families in all five boroughs.