Ana Inciardi, an artist who hails from Brooklyn, has been installing print vending machines across the country for the last three years. A machine recently opened at Artists & Fleas in Chelsea market, a perfect location for the Italian American artist who celebrates food, community, eating, and accessibility. We knew we had to take a visit! Usually, the Friday photo gives us a chance to appreciate art displays, but this week we got to take the art home with us. All you need is four quarters to get a surprise print. Inciardi said the inspiration for the machines came from a sticker and temporary tattoo vending machine at the supermarket where she grew up. One week when she was short on quarters for the laundromat, she realized she could use the format of those childhood vending machines but put a twist on them, filling the machines with her prints to make art accessible for people across New York. The idea has been a massive success, and now her linocut prints can be found across the country. We were excited to bring home our New York themed images of a hot dog, ice cream, bagel, and Italian spritz, some of the best treats for a New York summer day!
Art Vending Machines
President Trump’s New Travel Restrictions
On June 4, 2025 the Trump Administration signed a proclamation barring nationals from twelve countries, primarily from Africa and the Middle East, from entry into the US and restricting the entry of nationals hailing from seven other countries. The travel ban is set to go into effect as 12:01 AM EST on Monday, June 9, 2025.
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Changes in Student Visa Rules: What It Means for International Students
Over the last few days, the Trump Administration has introduced changes to its student visa policies, prompting concerns within academic and international communities. On May 27, 2025, the US State Department issued a directive by Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructing embassies worldwide to pause the scheduling of new interviews for student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories). This measure is part of a broader review aimed at enhancing the screening and vetting processes for these applicants, including the implementation of expanded social media evaluations. Notably, individuals with already scheduled interviews are not affected by this pause.
Read more“Fragile Giants” by Michel Bassompierre
Photos by Misia Delgado
Park Avenue has been taken over by a slew of “Fragile Giants.” The installation by artist Michel Bassompierre features the artist’s signature playful animals cast in bronze, welcoming all who stroll down the street. The sculptures were unveiled this May for Park Avenue Day, and will be on display for the next year through May 2026. Visitors can see these cuddly creatures on Park Avenue between 34th and 38th streets.
Protections for Immigrants
“Grounded in the Stars” by Thomas J. Price
Photo by Misia Delgado
In the center of Times Square, a new sculpture by Thomas J. Price depicts a 12-foot-tall black woman in ordinary clothes, looking on. For “Grounded in the Stars,” the familiar nature of the woman is the point. From her clothes to her stance and expression, the woman appears like someone we may know, but unlike the average person, she is revered in this striking monument at the center of New York City. Price said of the work, “I hope Grounded in the Stars… will instigate meaningful connections and bind intimate emotional states that allow for deeper reflection around the human condition and greater cultural diversity.” Based on the people we saw excitedly imitating the statue’s pose, posing for pictures, we think it did just that. As for the chatter around the installation? We like to think this powerful 12-foot-tall woman is staring down the critics. Viewers can find the work on the corners of Broadway and 46th Street.
Our Foreign Students Are Terrified, and They’re Right to Be
Lego Flower Stoop
Photos by Misia Delgado
If you have been keeping up with us, you know that come spring our obsession with finding gorgeous floral displays from London to New York is real! To our surprise, this year we found some flowers that are a little longer-lasting. We took advantage of a rare moment of sun this week in NYC to stop by the viral Lego Flower Stoop on the Upper East Side. As mother nature is bringing spring flowers into bloom, this colorful display by Kristi Hemric features no real flowers, only Lego and faux blooms. The result is spectacular, well worth the crowd of admiring visitors. Lego lovers and flower lovers alike can slow down and admire the spectacular display on 78th street between 2nd and 3rd avenues.