Convening
2025 Culturefix Morning Conversations
SUMMARY As culture plays an increasingly critical role in shaping global narratives, our Culturefix Morning Conversations on June 5, 2025, convened leading voices across the arts, sports, and government to explore how creative expression can drive social change and international understanding. As part of Meridian’s ongoing commitment to fostering global understanding through cultural exchange, this year's conversations featured a lineup of speakers across visual arts, preforming arts, sports, interior design, and government .
Culturefix is a cornerstone of Meridian’s cultural diplomacy initiatives—serving as a vital platform for cross-cultural dialogue and creative collaboration. By bringing together cultural visionaries from around the world, Meridian reaffirms its commitment to bridging divides, fostering mutual respect, and cultivating a more connected global community. Conversations Mirror & Messenger: How Art Constructs Shared Meaning Learn More Watch In this conversation, panelists explored how contemporary visual art serves as a powerful tool for civic engagement, cultural diplomacy, and storytelling.
The panel emphasized the political and ethical weight of art, its ability to reflect and disrupt societal norms, and its evolving role in a fast-paced digital world. With a renewed focus on craft, intention, and community connection, the conversation highlighted how both artists and institutions must adapt—moving beyond aesthetics to foster dialogue, inclusivity, and meaningful engagement in an ever-changing global landscape.
Sanford Biggers , Conceptual Artist Melissa Chiu , Director, Hirschhorn Museum of Sculpture Garden Moderator: Geoff Bennett , PBS News Style Meets Statecraft: The Global Language of Design Learn More Watch This fireside chat emphasized that interiors tell stories, convey national values, and shape first impressions in diplomatic spaces like Blair House. Participants discussed the importance of cultural respect over reinvention, the creative potential within historic preservation, and the role of design as a soft power strategy.
The dialogue underscored that modern diplomatic design must be both elegant and functional, reflecting a shift toward adaptable, durable, and emotionally resonant spaces. Mark D. Sikes , Interior Designer Moderator: Jessica Glass, Co-founder of Atelier Verre The Jerusalem Youth Chorus Performance Learn More Watch The chorus of Israeli and Palestinian youth used music to express complexity, grief, and a shared hope for coexistence.
Through songs like Home and the original A Different Way , and personal reflections from members Amer and Yaara, the group shared how rehearsing together across divides has become an act of healing. Their presence on stage was a bold testament to the power of music to connect, humanize bring people together in the face of conflict. Jerusalem Youth Chorus Curtains Up, Walls Down: The Power of Performing Arts Learn More Watch The panel emphasized the role of the arts in fostering empathy, critical thinking, and community dialogue.
They discussed how values like integrity and civic responsibility sustain arts institutions, how performing arts education cultivates future leaders, and how integrating social-emotional learning expands youth access. By blending history with creative expression, and highlighting the universal language of music, dance, and theater, the panel affirmed the arts' enduring power to connect people, transcend division, and shape a more empathetic and engaged global society.
Angela Lee Gieras, Executive Director, Shakespeare Theatre Company Edwaard Liang, Washington Ballet Artistic Director Paul Tetreault, Ford’s Theatre Director Moderator: Eric Latzky, Culture Communications NY Principle Touchdown Diplomacy: American Football on the World Stage Learn More Watch The conversation highlighted the NFL’s expanding international footprint, from games in Mexico and Europe to an upcoming match in Ireland.
Panelists emphasized football’s role as a soft power tool that fosters cross-cultural understanding, builds long-term partnerships, and creates opportunities for international youth through initiatives like the International Player Pathway Program. The discussion underscored how the NFL is not only spreading American values abroad, but also redefining fandom through social media, shared experiences, and inclusive engagement—demonstrating that sport, too, is a form of diplomacy.
H.E. Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States Efe Obada , National Football League (NFL) Free Agent Peter O'Reilly , Executive Vice President, Club Business, Major Events & International, National Football League (NFL) Moderator: Judy Battista, NFL.com Senior National Columnist Attendees network during Meridian’s 5th Annual Culturefix Conversations at White Meyer House in Washington, DC on June 5, 2025.
Photo by Jessica Latos. Natalie Jones (Meridian International Center) welcomes guests and introduces Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove ahead of her opening remarks during Meridian’s Culturefix Conversations at White Meyer House in Washington, DC on June 5, 2025. Photo by Jessica Latos. Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove provides opening remarks during Meridian’s Culturefix Conversations at White Meyer House in Washington, DC on June 5, 2025.
Photo by Jessica Latos. Audience seated for Meridian’s Culturefix Conversations at White Meyer House in Washington, DC on June 5, 2025. Photo by Jessica Latos. From left to right, moderator Geoff Bennett (PBS NewsHour) listens to panelists Sanford Biggers and Melissa Chiu (Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden) during the Mirror & Messenger panel at Meridian’s Culturefix Conversations at White Meyer House in Washington, DC on June 5, 2025.
Photo by Jessica Latos. Moderator Jessica Glass (Atelier Verre), left, and Culturefix awardee and panelist Mark Sikes (Mark D. Sikes Interiors) share a laugh during the Style Meets Statecraft panel at Meridian’s Culturefix Conversations at White Meyer House in Washington, DC on June 5, 2025. Photo by Jessica Latos. The Jerusalem Youth Chorus performs at Meridian’s Culturefix Conversations at White Meyer House in Washington, DC on June 5, 2025.
Photo by Jessica Latos. From left to right, moderator Eric Latzky (ELCCNY) and panelists Angela Lee Gieras (Shakespeare Theatre Company), Edwaard Liang (The Washington Ballet), and Paul Tetreault (Ford’s Theatre) engage in conversation during the Curtains Up, Walls Down panel at Meridian’s Culturefix Conversations at White Meyer House in Washington, DC on June 5, 2025. Photo by Jessica Latos. Ambassador Stuart Holliday (Meridian International Center) introduces the Style Meets Statecraft panel during Meridian’s Culturefix Conversations at White Meyer House in Washington, DC on June 5, 2025.