Born in Oak Park, Illinois, on January 17, 1922, Betty White was the only child of Horace and Tess White. Indeed, while most young kids were begging their parents for pets, White said she was the lucky little girl whose parents went for a walk and would come home with a dog or a cat.

The personal passion for animals has often mixed with her professional work. She created, produced and hosted a 1971 animal show called the Pet Set, which featured both wild animals and her friends’ own pets. She also wrote the 2011 book Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo and even lent her voice to the animated series (动画系列) of Pound Puppies.

“I’m the luckiest person in the world—my life is divided in absolute half: half animals, half show business,” she said.

She started working with the Los Angeles Zoo in the 1960s. “My interest in zoos started early on, because my mom and dad went to the zoo often, not just to please their little girl, but because they enjoyed the experience,” she wrote in her book. She worked with the Los Angeles Zoo because she was kind of shocked that Los Angeles had such a poor zoo inside. She said, “I’ve never been one to stand outside and criticize (批评). I’d rather get inside and see what’s going on, see how I can help.”

“Zoos don’t only exhibit animals; they do a lot of wonderful protection work,” she said. “Many people have a closed mind on zoos. They think no animal should be kept in zoos. Instead, they should all be in the wild in their own habitat. Well, of course, that is a myth.”

Ugandan student’s study and adaptation of traditional Chinese craft helps build bridges through art. With its balanced, rounded pot and cups, the tea set seems like Chinese ceramic (陶瓷) at first glance. But closer inspection of its pattern reveals an ancient Ugandan design. “My projects always aim to join some aspects of Chinese and Ugandan culture together,” says the tea set’s creator, Ocen Robert.

In 2015, Robert arrived in China from the East African nation to pursue a higher education in ceramic arts at Jingdezhen Ceramic University in East China’s Jiangxi province. The Ugandan is enrolled in a PhD program focusing on design, with his art pieces sold at national-level exhibitions in China.

He says, “I love it here not only because of its safety, but the raw materials and the production techniques for ceramics here are also among the best in the world.” During his time in China, Robert was given many opportunities to participate in ceramic production, exhibitions and even access to experts — all helping to grow the space where he could express his creativity.

To deepen his understanding and passion for traditional Chinese culture, Robert spends most of his free time in local museums’ culture and history sections. He also gets to know Chinese professionals inside and outside the ceramic world. “I would love to solidify my career as an artist here while helping to link Uganda and China,” Robert says.

“Ugandans are thankful, curious, and passionate about Chinese culture. I would love to introduce the artists back home to study and create ceramic artworks in China and promote them to the world.”

Robert says, “To be a modern artist in Chinese ceramics, one needs to comprehend the full flow of production, which requires years of practice and learning.” One of the most challenging areas of creating his pieces involves creating the “ideal shape and thickness”. He says “I fail at times, but I always practice and try again and again.” Robert has attained the essential spirit of Chinese ceramic arts — accepting and integrating the differences.