Big Medium Relocates to South Austin
By Admin in Printmaking
By Admin in Art World News
It is hard to get excited after looking at Weng Fine Art’s (FRA:WFA) recent performance, when its stock has declined 24% over the past three months. However, the company’s fundamentals look pretty decent, and long-term financials are usually aligned with future market price movements. Specifically, we decided to study Weng Fine Art’s ROE in this article.
Return on equity or ROE is a key measure used to assess how efficiently a company’s management is utilizing the company’s capital. In simpler terms, it measures the profitability of a company in relation to shareholder’s equity.
See our latest analysis for Weng Fine Art
Return on equity can be calculated by using the formula:
Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) ÷ Shareholders’ Equity
So, based on the above formula, the ROE for Weng Fine Art is:
2.9% = €604k ÷ €21m (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2022).
The ‘return’ is the income the business earned over the last year. That means that for every €1 worth of shareholders’ equity, the company generated €0.03 in profit.
We have already established that ROE serves as an efficient profit-generating gauge for a company’s future earnings. We now need to evaluate how much profit the company reinvests or “retains” for future growth which then gives us an idea about the growth potential of the company. Assuming everything else remains unchanged, the higher the ROE and profit retention, the higher the growth rate of a company compared to companies that don’t necessarily bear these characteristics.
On the face of it, Weng Fine Art’s ROE is not much to talk about. Next, when compared to the average industry ROE of 4.1%, the company’s ROE leaves us feeling even less enthusiastic. Weng Fine Art was still able to see a decent net income growth of 18% over the past five years. So, there might be other aspects that are positively influencing the company’s earnings growth. Such as – high earnings retention or an efficient management in place.
Next, on comparing with the industry net income growth, we found that Weng Fine Art’s growth is quite high when compared to the industry average growth of 13% in the same period, which is great to see.
The basis for attaching value to a company is, to a great extent, tied to its earnings growth. What investors need to determine next is if the expected earnings growth, or the lack of it, is already built into the share price. By doing so, they will have an idea if the stock is headed into clear blue waters or if swampy waters await. If you’re wondering about Weng Fine Art’s’s valuation, check out this gauge of its price-to-earnings ratio, as compared to its industry.
Weng Fine Art has a low three-year median payout ratio of 16%, meaning that the company retains the remaining 84% of its profits. This suggests that the management is reinvesting most of the profits to grow the business.
Moreover, Weng Fine Art is determined to keep sharing its profits with shareholders which we infer from its long history of paying a dividend for at least ten years.
Overall, we feel that Weng Fine Art certainly does have some positive factors to consider. With a high rate of reinvestment, albeit at a low ROE, the company has managed to see a considerable growth in its earnings. While we won’t completely dismiss the company, what we would do, is try to ascertain how risky the business is to make a more informed decision around the company. Our risks dashboard would have the 4 risks we have identified for Weng Fine Art.
Find out whether Weng Fine Art is potentially over or undervalued by checking out our comprehensive analysis, which includes fair value estimates, risks and warnings, dividends, insider transactions and financial health.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
By Admin in Art World News
Evanston Art Center hosts 21st Annual Winter Expo to support local artists Evanston Art Center hosts Winter Expo
Now into Year 2 of ACT Government’s arts strategy, Canberra: Australia’s Arts Capital – Arts, Culture and Creative Policy 2022-26 is making progress and supporting the sector’s desire to grow, become more resilient and support artists to have more sustainable careers.
There has been significant progress against the action plan’s 82 actions, which includes ongoing initiatives and targeted projects involving the arts portfolio, portfolios across the ACT Government and other strategic partners.
“Our ambition is for Canberra to be Australia’s arts capital and during the first 12 months we have seen some amazing collaborative projects and innovative activities taking place across our city to help make this ambition a reality,” said Minister for the Arts Cheyne.
“The policy and action plan are all about showing the world exactly what we have here in Canberra, what makes our city so special, and that what we have is unmissable.”
During 2023, the arts sector continues its recovery from the wide-ranging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Audience trends showed the recovery of audience numbers and continuation of last minute ticket sales, while spending on events is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels (fact check please).
“Against this backdrop, the arts sector has shown its flexibility, determination, and strength to provide Canberrans with new theatre performances, art exhibitions, festivals, dance performances, music, books, and film.
“The year saw work by Canberra’s diverse population reflected in First Nations’ cultural arts projects, and works by LGBTIQ+ and culturally and linguistically diverse artists,” said Minister Cheyne.
Some of the highlights of the past 12 months include:
Minister Cheyne said as well as new arts activities taking place around the city, collaboration was helping to drive creativity across many aspects of Canberra life – across artforms, sectors, and in government.
“I’m really pleased to see so much collaboration across the city when it comes to arts activities. I recently announced the ACT Government’s world-first commission of symphonic arrangements for iconic rock band Hoodoo Gurus, who will headline Symphony in the Park 2024 with our very own Canberra Symphony Orchestra.
By Admin in Art World News
HSBC is launching a bank-led fraud (呃) fair, an art exhibition aimed at promoting public awareness of fraud prevention. Taking place at Airside, Kai Tak from 22 November until 11 December 2023, the fraud fair plays on the Chinese word “呃” (fraud), which sounds like the English word “art”.
The fraud fair comes as Hong Kong sees a significant rise in fraud incidents. HSBC cited the government’s official figures that, the number of deception cases in the first half of 2023 increased more than 50% year-on-year. Online deception accounted for over 75% of the reported cases. The total pecuniary loss amounted to HK$2.69 billion.
In partnership with creative agency Hungry Digital and PR agency Hill & Knowlton, the fraud fair will showcase over 20 physical and interactive artworks that highlight common fraud tactics through the use of vernacular language and derivative art techniques.
These artworks have drawn inspiration from the experiences of the members of the public, who have fallen victim to various types of scams. These exhibits aim to establish a stronger connection with audiences and make it easier to comprehend the impact of these fraudulent activities.


In a conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Cheuk Shum, head of marketing, wealth & personal Banking, HSBC, said that the fraud fair targeted the mass audience as the bank hoped that it could help raise awareness of different kinds of fraud and prevention amongst the general public.
“Anything can be an art piece when it’s done to an extreme, including fraud. In this campaign, we played on words such as “fraud” (呃) and ‘Art’. Also, HongKongers have become more interested in viewing art in recent years. We found that purely informative, video or print ads may no longer catch audiences’ attention.”
“Therefore, we hope to offer an experiential, immersive, interactive and fun experience for them through an exhibition in a shopping mall, which is suitable for all age groups,” Shum added.
Don’t miss: DMA Convo: HSBC’s Cheuk Shum on how to better work with AI-generated celebrities in digital campaigns
To establish a stronger connection with audiences, HSBC has invited local singer Jackson Wan (尹光) and local DJ Ah Jeng (阿正) to produce an art piece that leveraged face-swapping technology. Once visitors look at the camera, their faces will be transformed into Wan and Ah Jeng’s faces immediately. The exhibit aims to educate visitors to prevent “Deepfake” video call scams.

Luanne Lim, chief executive, Hong Kong, HSBC, said: “With the prevalence of online deception, maintaining customer confidence in digital banking is crucial. As we navigate our digital lives, it is imperative to address fraud and build trust through customer education and protection. HSBC not only provides cybersecurity thought leadership and resources but also increases its technology investment to combat fraud. We remain committed to exploring various measures against the ever-evolving tactics employed by scammers today.”
Over the next few months, HSBC will step up credit card service protection by allowing customers to disable or set limits for card-not-present transactions. The bank is also offering an enhanced authentication process for online transactions through the HSBC HK mobile banking app as an alternative to the use of a one-time password via SMS.
Maggie Ng, head of wealth and personal banking, Hong Kong, HSBC, said: “Fraud prevention is a complex topic, but we don’t need to be a subject matter expert to protect ourselves. All it takes is heightened awareness and good common sense.”
“Everyone can be a smart user of digital banking by staying vigilant against suspicious websites and safekeeping sensitive personal information. Our exhibition aims to educate and empower customers on how to avoid scams. At HSBC, we prioritise customer protection and will continue to collaborate with customers and industry stakeholders to ensure a safe banking experience for all,” she added.
Rudi Leung, director and founder, Hungry Digital, said: “Nowadays, virtually everyone, regardless of age or education level, can become victims of different scams. Our task is to turn a dull topic into an interesting, interactive, and engaging experience for the masses. In view of that, we chose Wan and Ah Jeng, who are comedians from the older and younger generation respectively.”
Related articles:
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HSBC picks Omnicom Media Group to handle global media duties
As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, events on campus are slowing down a little. Still, it’s all the more reason to be thankful for the arts events happening on campus.
This Tuesday, Nov. 21, is the last day to check out this fantastic exhibition by Native veterans in collaboration with the Heard Museum and Native Artists Resource Group. This free display is open from noon to 5 p.m. in ArtSpace West.
Starting next Monday, Nov. 27, the Harry Wood Art Gallery will feature the photographic work of Ben Pressley, Bradley Tuel and Andrew Finch in a unique examination of heritage and sustainability. The exhibition is free and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrate the work of nine ASU BFA students at the opening reception for their work in the exhibition “Emotional Thread.” This free display explores the personal emotional expression behind art. The reception will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 21, starting at 5:30 p.m. in Gallery 100.
Paint CDs in the style of Bob Ross with the Residence Hall Association at Arizona State University – Tempe on Monday, Nov. 27, starting at 6 p.m. This event is free and offers free food, so head to the Sonora Community Room if you’re interested.
‘De-Construction: by Popular Demand’ Exhibit, Vault Gallery until Dec. 8.
‘Hommage de Jules Massenet: Confluence of Art Forms’ Exhibit, Music Library until Dec. 15
Head to the ASU Gammage on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. to experience modern and traditional wind band music. This event is $12 per person. Tickets can be purchased both online and in person.
Enjoy a free performance of beautiful piano music on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Katzin Concert Hall. Come to support ASU piano students!
Experience rhythms from Africa, the Middle East, India, the Caribbean and South America in the Nelson Fine Arts Plaza on Monday, Nov. 27, at 5 p.m. The show will feature special guests, Mallet Masters from Kyrene de las Brisas Elementary School, and will host presentations on the origins and history of music performed.
Love Disney’s “Encanto“? Visit the Phoenix Symphony Hall on Sunday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m. for a showing of the iconic film with a live orchestra performing the underscore. This event is free, but an RSVP is required.
Experience a free in-depth discussion of the writing and publication process behind the novel “Excursions in Identity” with author Laura Nenzi in Durham Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 9 a.m.
Edited by Sadie Buggle, Walker Smith and Caera Learmonth.
Reach the reporter at cvandore@asu.edu and follow @cvandoren27 on Twitter.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.

Claire van DorenThe Echo Editor
Claire van Doren is the Echo desk editor, using her English Literature and Journalism majors to bring insightful, thought-provoking pieces to The State Press. She has a deep love of storytelling that extends to articles, television, podcasts, and novels.
By Admin in Photography
We have learned so much over the last two years and are proud to launch what is surely our best competition yet. We remain committed to being the only photography competition solely by and for architectural photographers.
Given the unique criteria by which professional architectural photography is commissioned and created, it must be judged with a critical eye, and as a result the majority of “architectural photography” contests have not done the best job of accurately judging architectural photography. With vague direction, opaque judging criteria, or a lack of interest in the participation of real working architectural photographers, it seems so many of these contests are not fully serving the interests of professional architectural photography.
There is no doubt that architectural photography is a unique genre, requiring a trained eye and attention to detail to capture our subject of choice from a technical, emotional, and artistic point of view. The best architectural photographs not only accurately capture the physical qualities of a structure, but are able to communicate a sense of place, trigger an emotional response from the viewer, and have the power to serve and even elevate the careers of those who commission architectural photography.
The third annual Architectural Photography Almanac competition seeks to create a contest for and by architectural photographers, judged by professionals working in the fields of architecture, publishing, museum curation, and more.
This year, we are greatly expanding the prize pool owing to the fact that we’ve come to realize it’s impossible to select ONE winner in each category. At a certain point – the quality is so good – that we need to recognize more than just a ‘top winner’ in each category.
Five trophies for the best new and emerging photographers, one of whom will be the grand prize winner – and win an all expenses paid trip to California to photograph architecture and attend a private workshop with AP Almanac Founder Mike Kelley.
Our ‘Early Career and Emerging Talent’ award is designed for architecture photographers and students who have five years or less of experience in the genre. Submit your three best images that exemplify who you are as a photographer—your style, your technical skills, your interpretation of architecture. For more information and to enter this category, click here.
We’ve tweaked this category for the 2023 awards to better reflect the depth of architectural photography. This year there are four categories – so rather than having an enormous variety of entries in one basket, we can fairly compare photographs of the same types of projects to one another. Those four categories are:
Residential architecture – Small homes
Residential architecture – Large homes
Non-residential architecture – Small project
Non-residential architecture – Large project
The photo of the year awards will be given to a photographer’s image that shows the subject masterfully photographed; a single image capable of telling a story about a project, its sense of place, and design intent.
We all know that one image has the ability to go viral and make or break not only a photographer’s career, but also an architect’s. With the speed at which today’s internet and social media move, it’s more important than ever to be able to create arresting images that grab attention and tell a story in seconds. The winner and runners-up to this contest will be the image that not only define a project, but are those special images that are committed to memory forever as soon as we see them. For more information and to enter this category, click here.
Anyone with a little luck on their side can create a single incredible image, but to consistently create incredible images for their clients over the course of a day or more at an individual project site is one of the most valuable skills a photographer can have. The Project of the Year awards are our biggest awards and the top prizes will go to the photographers who are able to not only create an amazing photo, but create a stunning set of images of a single subject. As architecture and interior photographers are hired to create not just one image, but many images of individual architectural projects, the winner will demonstrate an ability to consistently create images of the highest quality. For this award, photographers will be asked to submit 5-7 images of a single project or subject which will be judged on criteria such as technical ability, composition, consistency of editing, color, and lighting, and overall impression: how well does the set communicate the story of a project? For more information and to enter this category, click here.
New for 2023, we’ve introduced two categories for ‘Project of the Year’. Photographing a high rise is different than photographing a home in the woods, so we wanted to reflect that in our award categories and judging.
Photo of the Year: Residential
Photo of the year: on-residential
We hope that this levels the playing field for everyone involved. How can one possibly judge an incredible home against a concert hall? This change brings clarity to the judges and the entrants and ensures a more fair competition.
The winners and runners-up in each category will receive one of our custom engraved, architect-designed trophies with their name and the title of the award etched into the surface. Project of the Year winners will also receive cash prizes. Here are some examples of the trophies we have awarded over the years. You can also see some of our incredible trophies in the header image of the contest. The trophies are different every year, but have continually gotten bigger and better!

As this is a competition for architectural photography, judges have been hand-picked from a wide range of professions related to the architecture and interior fields. Each judge is paid for their time and will be required to write about how they arrived at their choices.
The judging process will be anonymous and transparent; all EXIF and associated information will be stripped from each photograph before they are presented to the judges. Our judging panel consists of wonderfully talented, experienced, and connected professionals:
Julia Gamolina founded and runs Madame Architect, an online destination about, for, and by the extraordinary people that are transforming our built world. Trained as an architect herself, she remains grounded in professional practice as an Associate Principal at Ennead Architects. She also teaches a graduate-level Professional Practice seminar at Pratt Institute.

Valéry Augustin is the founding principal of DNA A+D, a Los Angeles based architecture and design firm specializing in distinct residential, commercial, CIVIC, and hospitality projects, exhibition design, and urban sustainability research. In addition, Valéry is a regular contributor to Architectural Digest’s YouTube channel, offering incredible insight into architecture design language and practice. Check out some of their collaborations here.

Irish-born, Dubai-residing Gerry O’Leary is our winningest APA Award participant, claiming top honors two years in a row, and we are thrilled to have him as a judge in this year’s contest. With a career spanning three decades he has worked globally for some of the world’s largest architecture and design firms and has published three monographs under his own name. Gerry is active in the architectural photography community and continues to create mesmerizing work.

Find specific entry information for each contest category on their respective pages. Those pages can be found here:
When does the contest open and close?
The contest(s) are open and accepting submissions from November 15th, 2023, and will close January 31st, 11:59PM Pacific Time, 2024.
Is there a time limit on when the photos should have been taken?
For the project of the year and photo of the year categories, photos should be created during the year 2023. We want to see fresh work, and we want to see what our community has been up to in the last year.
For the emerging talent contest, there is no time limit on when the photos should have been taken, as long as they have been in the last five years.
Can I enter more than once?
Yes, enter each contest as many times as you’d like.
How did you arrive at the contest fees?
As APAlmanac grows, we have to figure out a way to generate income to keep the site up and running. Server and hosting costs, web design costs, writer costs, and general overhead are wildly expensive. Funds from these contests will go to:
This contest is our way of not only keeping the site afloat, but designing a competition run by and for photographers that works to showcase the best talent given the constraints and nuances surrounding the genre. In addition, we understand that architectural photography talent should be fostered and encouraged, and our generous prizes for the winners will continue to ensure that architectural photographers can re-invest in their talent and craft.
How were the judges selected?
We tried to select a range of judges that accurately reflected the people who would be looking at and buying architectural photography. From magazine and book editors to photography managers at the largest architectural firms in the world, it was important that we didn’t just have a self-congratulating contest of photographers judging photographers, a system that has been done before and as far as we are concerned is completely broken. All of our judges have significant experience dealing with architectural photography in editorial and commercial contexts, and are in positions where they are responsible for commissioning thousands of images per year, collectively assigning well into the millions of dollars of work on an annual basis.
Are there bits of legalese I should be aware of?
Yes. The terms and conditions for the contest can be found here.
I hate photo contests and think they’re a scam, how is this any different?
We agree with you and that’s why we created this contest. We promise that this is unlike every other architectural photography contest in that we’ve actually tried to select judges and criteria that matter to architectural photographers. No Instagram famous judges here; just real working photo buyers and clients who share their thoughts on why they selected the winners and the process they arrived at to get there. We took months to select and curate judges based on their history of commissioning architectural photographers, curating exhibits featuring architectural photography, and publishing books and magazines focused on architectural photography.
Entry fees go to supporting a resource and community that benefits all architectural photographers through sharing business practices, discourse on copyright and licensing, equipment, theory, and positively promoting the best work in our genre with weekly features and interviews, pulling together photographers from all corners of the world. APAlmanac is proud to provide full transparency for its contest: you know who is judging, who is hosting, the judging criteria, and what the contest is supporting. No other architectural photography competition can claim the same.
By Admin in Photography
Free Fly, a leading brand in performance apparel built for adventure pursuits, is thrilled to announce the newest addition to its growing ambassador team, Christa Funk.
Funk, recognized as one of the best in-water surf photographers globally, brings years of experience and authenticity to the team as a water enthusiast and artist well-known for capturing the beauty of waves, surf breaks, and jaw-dropping moments experienced in big wave surfing.
Hailing from a background as a competitive swimmer and later serving in the United States Coast Guard, Funk’s journey into the world of water photography is nothing short of inspiring. While stationed in Hawaii for active duty, she noticed fellow surfers donning helmets and cameras on the big surf breaks and decided to kickstart her career in surf photography. Besides growing her career in photography, she is also a well-respected all-round waterwoman with a love of surfing, spearfishing, and free diving.
“I’ve always had a passion for the water, but it wasn’t until my time in Hawaii that I saw the potential to merge my love for photography with the adrenaline rush of big wave surfing,” said Christa Funk. “Joining Free Fly’s ambassador team feels like the perfect alignment of values, as they share my joy for all water activities and endeavors in the ocean.”
As Free Fly continues to grow its ambassador team, the addition of Christa Funk signifies the brand’s dedication to supporting athletes and creators who embody the spirit of adventure with an appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.
“We’re delighted to welcome Christa Funk to the Free Fly family,” commented CEO Sterling Boyd. “Her remarkable journey from the Coast Guard to becoming a leading in-water photographer mirrors the resilience and passion we value at Free Fly. With Christa on board, we are excited to amplify our presence in water adventure communities.”
Free Fly remains committed to providing innovative and comfortable performance wear that empowers individuals to pursue their passions confidently. To learn more about Free Fly’s surf initiatives and explore their premium apparel collection, visit https://freeflyapparel.com.
About Free Fly
Founded in 2011, Free Fly was born on the water and built for adventure. As a family-owned business based out of Charleston, South Carolina, Free Fly delivers buttery soft performance apparel crafted with natural fibers and sustainably sourced materials. They keep their styles simple, and that’s why they stand out, offering distraction-free comfort when you’re out there doing what you love. From guide-tested hoodies and gear to everyday sun protection, Free Fly delivers next-level comfort for all adventurers. Shop Free Fly at any of 800 retail locations nationwide or online at: freeflyapparel.com
Milwaukee Art Museum announces new Herzfeld Center for Photography show
Wondering what’s the importance of PDF editing software for photographers? Hop inside this guide to find out!
The loon traveled from Los Angeles to its permanent home in the Twin Cities.
A new beetle species has been named to honor a fellow Husker, bridging the worlds of academia and wildlife conservation.
Silversea, a premier brand in experiential luxury and expedition travel, recently concluded the inaugural season of its first Nova-class ship, Silver Nova,
Silversea, a premier brand in experiential luxury and expedition travel, recently concluded the inaugural season of its first Nova-class ship, Silver Nova,
The Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT) is proud to announce a special presentation event featuring acclaimed botanical photographer Jimmy Fike on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sanderson