From the Mundane to the Boundless: Art Transcends

On June 3rd, 2017, the New York Youth Roundtable and the International Leadership Foundation co-hosted a unique ceramics exhibition and spring-summer tea gathering under the theme "From the Mundane to the Boundless: Art Transcends." Held in Long Island's picturesque villa district, the event featured a captivating talk by Dr. Qibao, a renowned anthropologist and ceramic artist, whose works explore the transformational power of art in viewing the world.

Dr. Qibao, also known as Yang Xiaohui, shared her profound journey in ceramics, which began as a hobby and evolved into a profound medium of self-expression and philosophical exploration. Since 2009, she has honed her craft at New England's prestigious Lakeside Pottery Studio, where her innovative approach to combining hand-building, wheel-throwing, and sculptural painting has earned her pieces high acclaim and eager collectors.

The event's serene setting was a backdrop for Dr. Qibao's reflections on how pottery reshaped her perspective on life, turning simple observations into moments of enlightenment. This transformation, she noted, was akin to viewing the world through a special prism, where every shape and shade could inspire and influence her creations.

Highlighting the importance of supporting young artists, the tea gathering also included salons on economics and photography, featuring prominent figures from the finance and arts sectors, such as Li Ke, the youngest Managing Director in Goldman Sachs' history, who discussed trends in the financial industry.

The ceramics exhibition was more than an art show; it was a dialogue between tradition and contemporary practices, illustrating how art can serve as a bridge between cultures and generations. Attendees, including collectors who traveled from as far as California and China, were not only treated to Dr. Qibao's insights but also engaged in discussions that spanned economics, photography, and the intrinsic values of pursuing art devoid of fame or profit.

Organized by Huang Yacun, chairwoman of the New York Youth Roundtable, and Cher He, the event successfully merged artistic passion with entrepreneurial spirit, embodying the Roundtable's mission to foster innovation and mutual support among young creatives and professionals. This gathering was a testament to the ongoing efforts to cultivate leadership and entrepreneurial skills within a diverse, cross-cultural context, providing a nurturing platform for the exchange of ideas and inspiring future collaborations.

尘世喧嚣，艺术无疆

人类学博士的陶艺展长岛举行

纽约国际领袖基金会及纽约青年企业家俱乐部2017春夏茶会

“制陶改变了我看世间万物的眼光。由以前单纯的看或不看，喜或不喜变成了现在众物皆能成为灵光闪现。这样的感觉很奇妙，就好像给了你一个特殊的棱镜，让你能用以前从未想象过的视角去重新认识这个世界。从此花非花，木非木，万物为我，我为万物。尘世喧嚣，艺术无疆，这种爱与专注是幸运而美好的”。

这段话来自艺术家七宝，是这位人类学博士在制陶中的独特体悟。也正是这段话触动了纽约青年企业家俱乐部与国际领袖基金会的活动策划人黄亚村女士的心。于是两个公益组织联手推出了2017年的春夏活动——“尘世喧嚣，艺术无疆”陶艺展，贯彻了两个组织扶持青年艺术家的宗旨，为艺术和才华提供最好的平台和舞台。活动于6月3日在纽约长岛的别墅区以茶会的形式进行，将七宝博士的心得分享给了更多人，参加者表示她的体悟带给了大家很多生活的启迪。

联合主办方的纽约青年企业家俱乐部(New York Youth Roundtable)是以“开拓创新，传承互助”为宗旨的公益组织。于2015年在纽约成立，关注教育并重在培养青年人的“企业家精神”。俱乐部汇聚了有理想和社会责任感的各界领袖，包括杰出企业家、经理人、社区领袖、及各行业的专业人士。

另一主办方国际领袖基金会 (the International Leadership Foundation, ILF)是以提升美国亚裔群体的整体政治环境，培育未来青年领袖为宗旨的非营利性组织。基金会于2000在华盛顿特区成立，目前在全美设有16个分支。成立后，在公共服务、商业交流、政经论坛、社区管理方面资源的不断扩展，目前已发展成为全美最著名的亚裔青年领袖训练基地，为超过1000名优秀的亚裔大学生提供奖学金和到白宫和国会等公共事务领域的领导力培训项目。

七宝，本名杨小卉，成长于中国，美国匹兹堡大学人类学博士，曾在匹兹堡大学、Semester At Sea等机构任教。自2009年起在新英格兰区久负盛名的陶艺工作室Lakeside Pottery 学习和从事陶艺创作。八年来，她的作品结合手作、转盘以及雕塑绘画等多方技巧，更以其丰富的想象，精湛的技艺和独特的风格被众多业内业外人士称道，喜爱和收藏。这次活动展览的作品也大多数已被各界人士收藏。

活动由初放博士主持，由两个协会的主席黄亚村女士开场，她说，“衡量一个人是否幸福，是看一个人是否活在爱里；衡量一个人是否成功，是看他是否曾经帮助别人实现梦想。”黄亚村女士自己创业中感受的孤独就是她成立纽约青年企业家俱乐部的动力之一。这次活动也是为了贯彻这个理念，扶持充满才华的有志青年实现梦想。

茶会中七宝博士为宾客分享了自己的人生经历和制陶心得。从2009年开始学习陶艺开始，她从未想为用艺术来追名逐利，而是把制陶当作一个业余爱好，陶冶身心。她简单介绍了把陶泥变成一件艺术品的过程，其中她认为最有趣的是构思的过程，最初的想象和成品可能会不一样，即使最后的成果有瑕疵，也充满了惊喜和趣味。“陶艺和所有艺术一样，提供给了我不一样的视角。你看一样东西，你会思考怎么把它变成艺术品。从此之后，看世界的眼光就焕然一新。”

在七宝的分享之后，主办方还特意安排了“经济”和“摄影”两个热门话题的沙龙。经济沙龙的主讲人是李可，现任高盛的Managing Director，是高盛历史上最年轻的Managing Director，他为与会者分享了金融行业的发展趋势。同时，在华尔街任职的几位精英人士，包括中国银行的Executive Vice President马勇，三井住友银行的Managing Director杜云松也参与了经济沙龙的讨论。摄影沙龙分享了著名摄影师张志壮的摄影作品。张志壮是知名海外华人风光摄影团体四光圈的成员之一，全球最大图片商Getty Image的签约摄影师，并多次为尼康中国等机构提供图片。

本次活动参加人数90多人，由国际领袖基金会的顾问团、青年企业家俱乐部的成员和热爱七宝作品的收藏家们组成。不少藏家甚至不远万里从加州、加拿大或中国专程飞来纽约参加展览。从北京飞来的滕女士表示这次展览集合了七宝多年心血的结晶。从加州飞来的孟女士说七宝的艺术最打动她的地方是“不慕名利，追求纯粹的艺术。她的每件作品都是独一无二的。”

本次陶艺展览由黄亚村和Cher He联合策划。