Behind every Night of the Stars honoree is a little light — and a big heart. ✨
Meet Dr. Stephen Wheeler, a retired dentist, San Diego International Film Festival patron and board member, and the reason this year’s honorees took home “Illumination.”
His story with SDIFF started about six years ago. After his first screenings, he texted CEO Tonya Mantooth: “This changed my life.” He and his wife became patrons, and a year later he joined the board.
When budget cuts to arts and culture meant cheaper trophies for the festival’s biggest night, Steve didn’t hesitate: “I want you to have excellent trophies for these people — and I will pay for it.”
The result is “Illumination,” a sculpture made by an artist in Sacramento. Its ring of light stands for our ever-expanding awareness of the world and echoes the iconic San Diego sun, a symbol of what film can do: illuminate, connect, and inspire.
For a man who has traveled to more than 30 countries and counts friends of every faith and culture, that is exactly the point: film brings people together.
His plan for next year? “We’re going to do it again. Simple as that.” 🏆
@sdfilmfestival
@sdfilmfest #SDIFF2026 #NightOfTheStars #Illumination #FilmFestival SanDiego SupportTheArts FilmCommunity BajaTraveler LuxuryTravel
🎥Fernando Favela Vara
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🎄✨ The wait is over! Our HSA Holiday Show kicks off TOMORROW! ✨🎭
Join us for a magical showcase of talent from all our departments. Experience the joy, creativity, and artistry of our students as they bring the season to life on stage.
🎟️ Don’t miss out—grab your tickets now! Link in bio.
#HSAHolidayShow #HarlemArts #CelebrateTheSeason #SupportTheArts #HSA
@vickicowaneddy 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #sdiff2026 #supportthearts #focusonimpact #bajatravelerandbeyond #travelerpublications
@sdfilmfestival
🎥Fernando Favela Vara ©️TRAVELER Publications
BajaTraveler.com
Always a joy to work with talented young musicians and singers! Come support @lasvegasacademy and enjoy a night of music (including a few pieces I’ll be joining them for) with 150 choir members and an 80 piece philharmonic orchestra at @smithcenterlv on Feb 8th! Tickets on sale now via the Smith Center! #concert #rehearsal #symphony #danielemmet #lva #vegas #arts #supportthearts #classicalmusic #crossovermusic
Btw... supporting your friends is free.
A like. A comment. A share. A referral.
Those small things can mean everything when someone is building something from the ground up.
If you’re watching someone you care about chase a dream, don’t just watch quietly—cheer them on. 🌿
Support costs nothing, but it can make a huge difference.
#support #supportingsmallbusinesses #supportyourlocal #supportthearts #fypシ❤️💞❤️
✨ Supporting the arts, connecting NYC’s creative community.
EastWest Artistry NYC was delighted to attend Brilliance in Motion at Merkin Hall, celebrating the opening of @pegasustheorchestra’s 10th anniversary season! 🎶
Under the direction of Founder, Artistic Director, and Principal Conductor Karén Hakobyan, the evening featured pianist Reed Tetzloff in Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, alongside works by Glinka and Nielsen.
Our mission extends beyond our own stage: bridging Eastern and Western artistic traditions, bringing people together, and supporting the artists who enrich New York City’s cultural life. We’re proud to be part of a community that celebrates and supports one another. 🤍
Congratulations to @karenhakobyanmusic, @reedtetzloff, and all the wonderful musicians!
✨ Follow @pegasustheorchestra, @karenhakobyanmusic, and @reedtetzloff, share their work, and join them at an upcoming concert. Together, we can help keep live music thriving in NYC!
#EastWestArtistryNYC #PegasusTheOrchestra #MerkinHall #SupportTheArts #NYCClassicalMusic
✨💛 A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO DOUGLAS HUTCHISON! 💛✨
Today we want to recognize Douglas Hutchison and thank him for his donation and support of the Open World Toronto Film Festival (OWTFF). 🎬❤️
Every contribution helps us continue building a space where independent filmmakers, artists and storytellers can share their work, connect with audiences and be celebrated.
Douglas, thank you for believing in what we’re creating and for helping us continue our mission. You are part of the OWTFF family! 🥰🎥
As we prepare for OWTFF 2026 — September 25–27 in Toronto, we still need your help to bring it all to life.
💛 Want to support OWTFF too?
👉 DONATE HERE:
https://gofund.me/19e8a7a60�
Can’t donate right now? Please share our campaign. A share can introduce OWTFF to someone who can help. 🙏❤️
🎬 Film • Culture • Connection
#OWTFF #OpenWorldTorontoFilmFestival #SupportOWTFF #SupportIndieFilm #IndependentFilm TorontoFilm TorontoArts FilmFestival SupportTheArts GoFundMe
DAY 18 • MEET THE FACES BEHIND JACK 🧡
Behind every performance, every story, and every space for artists to create is a community that makes it all possible.
Today, meet Amen Igbinosun, JACK’s Executive and Artistic Director, and learn more about the person helping shape JACK’s vision and future.
As we launch our Fall Fundraiser, we’re asking our community to help us keep that vision alive. Your support helps keep JACK open, supports artists, and keeps bold, boundary-pushing art accessible to our community.
🧡 Help us reach our $15,000 fundraising goal!
Donate through the link in our bio or visit jackny.org and click “Support.”
Let’s make what comes next possible, together.
#jackartsny #FallFundraiser #SupportTheArts
Step into the heart of the blues at the Blues Hall of Fame Museum, where every note tells a story.
By becoming a member or donating to The Blues Foundation, you’re not just supporting a museum—you’re helping preserve the legacy, the struggle, the soul, and the sound of the blues for generations to come. Keep the blues alive. Become a part of the story 💙
To become a member or donate, visit https://blues.org/
#KeepTheBluesAlive #BluesHallOfFame #TheBluesFoundation #SupportTheArts #MusicWithSoul #BluesForever #FeedYourSoul
Ally Venable
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🎷🎶✨ NEW WORLD SCHOOL OF THE ARTS JAZZ SHOW! ✨🎶🥁
What an incredible celebration of talent, passion, and the magic of jazz! 🎹🎺🎷❤️ So proud to see these young musicians shine on stage, sharing their love for music and showcasing their hard work and dedication! 🌟🎶
The future of jazz is in good hands! 🎼🔥👏
📍 New World School of the Arts
Miami, Florida
#NewWorldSchoolOfTheArts #NWSA #JazzShow #JazzMusicians #YoungMusicians JazzMusic LiveJazz FutureOfJazz MusicEducation YoungTalent JazzLife SupportTheArts MiamiMusicScene 🎷🥁🎹🎺❤️✨
Do you hear that at the end 🥰😍💕
#supportartists #supportthearts #creativejourney #creativecommunity #mixedmediaartist
Thank you @pietnyc and @karli_forte #THEFORTEINSIDER for this extraordinary invitation and for including us at the Met Opera for La Bohème. It was Maya’s first time at the opera, and having a chance to share that first with her was so special.
There is something so powerful about experiencing this art form live. The voices, the orchestra, the emotion, the human connection. A beautiful reminder that AI will never be able to replace this kind of art.
If you’re in for a treat, I highly recommend it. ❤️ @metopera . Thank you @victordesouzany for my gorgeous outfit #LaBoheme #TheMetOpera #MetropolitanOpera #Opera NewYorkCity NYC MotherDaughter LiveArt HumanConnection SupportTheArts