Julian Abernathy
Senior Editor, Culture & Dialogue
Julian Abernathy serves as the Senior Editor of Culture & Dialogue for Modern & Affluent, where he delivers critical insights into the contemporary art market and cultural philanthropy. Through detailed artist studio visits, gallery exhibition reviews, and art fair coverage, he examines the evolution of modern sculpture, post-war European art, and cultural theory. His analytical approach demystifies complex market trends, offering readers a clear understanding of how artistic expression intersects with wealth and society. Ultimately, Julian's work serves as an essential guide for collectors navigating the global art landscape.
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Latest Articles

What Are Digital Platforms' Funding Models in Cultural Philanthropy?
A small regional theater in Nebraska, previously reliant on local patrons, recently raised $50,000 for a new lighting system through a crowdfunding campaign that reached donors in 15 different states.
Jul 6, 2026 · 5 min read

Institutions, platforms now control digital art access
In 2024–2025, 51 percent of global art collectors purchased a digital work, establishing it as a core collecting category and reorienting what the art world deems valuable.
Jul 2, 2026 · 3 min read

Winemakers Revive Ancient Techniques for New Wine Made From Dried Grapes
After centuries of obscurity, the first official version of the PDO ‘Monemvasia-Malvasia’ wine was bottled at the end of 2012, marking a formal return for an ancient winemaking tradition.
Jun 29, 2026 · 3 min read

Shelby Unveils 1,000+ HP Baja Raptor for 2026
The 2026 Shelby Ford F-150 Baja Raptor R now boasts over 1,000 horsepower and starts at a staggering $194,795, according to HiConsumption .
Jun 27, 2026 · 2 min read

Mount Gay Releases First Age-Statement Rums in New Collection
Mount Gay, a distillery established in 1703, has unveiled its inaugural age-statement rums, including a 25-year-old expression limited to just 2,376 bottles worldwide, as reported by Verge Magazine .
Jun 25, 2026 · 2 min read

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Smashes Production-Car Record at Pikes Peak
The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X shattered the Pikes Peak production-car record by over 23 seconds, completing the treacherous 12.
Jun 24, 2026 · 3 min read

Affluent Collectors Are Reshaping Museums: Are You Ready for 2026?
In a significant departure from traditional collecting, Eileen Harris Norton's personal holdings feature over 80 works by women artists and artists of color, actively correcting decades of institution
Jun 23, 2026 · 3 min read

Exploring the Nuances of Public Art Accessibility
Even as organizations release free guidelines to democratize art, the very definition of 'accessibility' remains a 'moving target,' with individual needs often conflicting and constantly evolving.
Jun 21, 2026 · 5 min read

Ian Purkayastha preserves luxury ingredients for Regalis Foods
Storing truffles in rice, a widely accepted culinary practice, actively diminishes their quality, stripping away flavor and essential moisture.
Jun 21, 2026 · 2 min read

What are the modern manifestations of cultural philanthropy in 2026?
In 2025, while 62% of arts and culture organizations enjoyed a rise in their revenues, a disquieting 14% concurrently experienced audience declines—a figure more than double the 6% reported in the pri
Jun 17, 2026 · 4 min read

William H. Macy Reserve Rye Third Edition Offers Rich, Complex Flavors
This 10-year-old rye whiskey, the William H.
Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read

Starlight Distillery Bottles 10-Year-Old Bourbon
A 45-year-old bourbon, the Final Reserve James Thompson & Brother Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, is set for a March 1st release at $1,800, with just 250 commemorative boxes.
Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read

Sutton Stracke Lists Bel Air Estate for $8.955 Million
Just four years after acquiring her Bel Air estate for $5.35 million, reality star Sutton Stracke has listed the property for sale in 2026 at nearly $9 million, as reported by the New York Post.
Jun 13, 2026 · 2 min read

Rivian Delays Compact SUV Release to 2028
Rivian's most affordable vehicle, the R3, is slated for a 2028 release, a full year after its pricier R2 sibling.
Jun 12, 2026 · 2 min read

Old Forester Releases 2026 President's Choice Bourbon and Rye
Starting in 2025, Old Forester's highly anticipated President's Choice whiskey saw its age statement shrink from up to 12 years down to a maximum of nine, yet its $225 price tag remains unchanged.
Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read

Garrison Brothers Launches Two New Sherry Cask Bourbons
Garrison Brothers, fresh off reporting over 40 percent growth in Texas sales, is launching two new 8-year-old sherry cask-finished bourbons.
Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read

New 230-foot sailing yacht runs entirely on renewable energy
A 230-foot superyacht, Project Zero, is being built to sail for two weeks straight without burning a single drop of fossil fuel, relying entirely on wind and sun.
Jun 9, 2026 · 2 min read

Jim Beam Old Grand-Dad Bourbon Scores Strong 88
Jim Beam's new Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7 Year, a high-proof bourbon boasting notes of ripe plum and burnt caramel, recently garnered an 88 out of 100 from critic Jonah Flicker.
Jun 8, 2026 · 2 min read

Mandarin Oriental Opens New Luxury Hotel in Mallorca in 2026
Despite reports claiming it's already open, the Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra in Mallorca won't welcome its first guests until June 1, 2026, with rooms starting at $1,500 (1,325 euros) per night, acco
Jun 7, 2026 · 2 min read

TAG Heuer Monaco Unveils 12-Cylinder Dial Watch Limited to 50 Pieces
TAG Heuer has unveiled the Monaco Speed 12, a timepiece featuring a dial with a dozen rotating titanium pistons that indicate hours, inspired by V12 engines.
Jun 6, 2026 · 3 min read