This article from MPR News highlights upcoming arts events in Minnesota, including a new professional concert band, a plein air art event, and two artists featured at the Vine Arts Center. The piece serves as a community-focused roundup, encouraging local engagement with the arts through performances and exhibitions.
Kapiʻolani Community College’s Koa Gallery hosted the Kapiʻolani CC Student Show 2026 from April 29 to May 8, featuring works by introductory and intermediate studio art and new media art students. Student artist Geneva Mellison, an English literature major, exhibited her photography series *My Perfect Mask* (2025), a set of gelatin silver prints exploring social conformity and masking. The show included mixed media, ceramics, drawing, painting, and sculpture, emphasizing material processes and contemporary artistic exploration.
Artist Brad Chapman Bleau has been featured in a series of images showcasing his mixed-media works, including paintings like "Skäl!" and "Big Mac," which incorporate acrylic paint and found objects on wood. His pieces have appeared in the Danforth Annual Juried Exhibition Show at the Danforth Art Museum in Framingham, and he maintains a studio space called The Bleau Pig at the newly opened Almanac Market in Paxton. An upcoming group exhibition titled "CATS" featuring his work "The Duality of CAT" is set to open May 28 at Worcester State University’s Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery.
Masuk High School in Monroe, Connecticut, hosted its Senior Art Show in the school's media center, featuring 20 works by students in mediums including oil and acrylic paintings, charcoal drawings, sculptures, and ceramics. Organized by art teacher Monika Gagnon and ceramics teacher Dana Moraniec, the event replaced the canceled da Vinci Festival and included AP art portfolios alongside themed pieces exploring social commentary, personal experience, and identity. Students like Olivia Neel (adolescence and divorce), Seraphine Lambert (nature, memory, and religion), and Christian Kloter (metaphors of self) presented and discussed their work with visitors.
The Color & Light Society of Southern Maryland, a nonprofit organization of over 30 professional visual artists, is bringing interactive art and creative programming to communities across Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties. Operating as a "Gallery Without Walls," the society participates in exhibitions, public events, and workshops rather than a traditional gallery space. Upcoming events include Uncorked & Unveiled: Island Edition on May 21, 2026, hosted by the St. Mary's County Arts Council at Port of Leonardtown Winery, where member Cindy Martin-Brennan's artwork will be featured on a wine label, and Raining Cats & Dogs — A Community Art Show on June 5, 2026, where pottery artist Barbara Hak and others created animal figures for attendees to paint.
Hartwick College's Art and Art History Department held its Senior Art Show Reception on May 15 in the Foreman Gallery, showcasing graduating students' work across diverse media. Awards included the Presidential Purchase Prize ($1,000) to Marissa Yanacheak for "Transformation," a plexiglass layered piece; first-place Best in Show ($600) to Kylee Hosmer for "Minoans in the Modern Day," a 3D installation inspired by ancient Minoan civilization; and second-place Best in Show ($400) to Megan Bryla for "Internal Integrity," a ceramic work. Additional awards were given earlier in May to Devlin Woughter and Samuel Scott.
The Old Forge Library in Old Forge, New York, is calling for artists to participate in "Local ART," a community-wide open exhibition celebrating two-dimensional artwork. The exhibit runs from July 2 through August 1, with an opening reception on July 2. Open to all ages and skill levels, submissions in media such as photography, painting, watercolor, pastel, mixed media, collage, printmaking, quilting, and drawing are welcome with no entry fee. The submission deadline is June 23, and artists may donate a portion of sales to support library programming.
The City of Whittlesea's Belong: 2026 Art Exhibition has opened at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre (PRACC) in South Morang, Australia. Now in its 17th year, the exhibition has reached a record size with 176 artists submitting 245 artworks across diverse media including painting, photography, sculpture, pottery, mosaics, and glasswork. Award winners were announced on May 6, with Rosemary Lugg winning the Mayor's Award for her work 'Fragments,' and other prizes recognizing use of materials, originality, and youth participation. The exhibition runs until May 27 and includes artist talks, workshops, and a People's Choice Award.
The 4th Friday Art Walk has returned to downtown Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, with participating businesses on Market, Merchant, and Main Streets open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nine art venues took part last Friday, including Music Art Love, E.KleK.Tix Studio and Gallery, Only Child Originals and Rust Artisan Shop, CJoy Art Works, Two Rivers Gallery, The Art Guild, Silver Sycamore Gallery of Fine Art, and ASL Pewter. Artists such as Christine Alexander, Jean Rissover, Sam Conlon, Christina Joy Elsen, Bryan Haynes, Charles Rhinehart, Andrew Naeger, and Tom and Pat Hooper showcased and sold their work, with live music and special exhibits featured.
A new art gallery called Dirkse/Prim has opened in Seattle's Madrona neighborhood, founded by married couple Michelle and Jeremy. Michelle works as an interior designer, while Jeremy is a painter of seascapes. Their debut exhibition features the work of another husband-and-wife duo, Mya Kerner and Zach Helenske, whose art is inspired by their 40-acre farm in Pennsylvania. The gallery aims to offer a warm, welcoming alternative to traditional white-box spaces, emphasizing community and approachability.
Emily Cassidy, a High Point-based pet portrait artist with a background in animal science and veterinary technology, is holding a three-day solo exhibition titled "All Things Bright & Beautiful" from May 27 to May 29 at Reynolda Village in Winston-Salem. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Wake Forest University Chaplain’s Emergency Fund, which assists students, faculty, staff, and contract workers with essential expenses. Cassidy, who returned to art in 2020 after a career in cancer research, now has a two- to three-month waiting list for commissions and works in colored pencils, pastels, and oils.
A new art gallery and community hub called The ART House has opened in the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Honolulu, showcasing curated products from 30 small businesses and more than 20 local artists from across Hawaii. Founder Danielle Rush of Illuminated ART Hawaii announced the gallery on HNN’s Sunrise, highlighting a Featured Artist Series that rotates every two months to spotlight individual creators. The grand opening celebration is scheduled for May 30th at 6 p.m. with free parking, and featured artists include painter Lauren Roth, Kris Goto, Haunani Hess, and others from Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai, Lanai, and Molokai.
Award-winning photographer Ralph Maratta will present a freewheeling artist talk at Northwind Art's Jeanette Best Gallery in Port Townsend, Washington, on December 13, 2025. The event coincides with his exhibition "Showcase 2025," where his photograph "Stay the Night, You Can Make Your Way Home Tomorrow" is on view. Maratta will discuss art and the creative process, and attendees can ask him about his unusual titles.
The Falls Art Market returns for its 9th year in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, featuring around 30 local artists including wildlife artist Tim Davison. The relaxed outdoor market, organized by Lisa Myhre, takes place on the east side of the Levitt Shell on May 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and will continue on the fourth Saturday of each summer month. Artists sell original artwork and offer artful activities, fostering direct connections between creators and the community.
The North Carolina Museum of Art Winston-Salem, formerly known as SECCA, will open a new downtown gallery on 4th Street this summer while renovations continue at its permanent location in Buena Vista. The space, located near where the museum first opened as an artist-run gallery 70 years ago, will host outdoor concerts, vinyl nights, and exhibitions. The inaugural show, titled "Unboxed," features works from 13 North Carolina artists who participated in the museum's Portable Gallery program, which commissions contemporary art for local school systems. The gallery opens July 16th.
LeMoyne Arts in Tallahassee, Florida, is hosting an opening reception on July 11, 2024, for "Forever Side by Side," the third exhibition by artists Randy and Debra Brienen. The show features acrylic and oil works on canvas, with each artist interpreting the same subjects—inspired by Florida nature and landmarks—in their distinctive styles. The reception includes live music by Hot Tamale and refreshments from local vendors.
The Tallahassee Watercolor Society (TaWS) is hosting the opening reception for its 2026 Tri-State Annual Juried Water Media Exhibition on May 28, 2026, at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts in Tallahassee, Florida. The exhibition features works by local artists from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, and is juried by nationally renowned watercolor artist Don Andrews, a past board director of the American Watercolor Society whose paintings have earned multiple awards including three from the American Watercolor Society and two Best of Show awards from the New England Watercolor Society.
The Voice of the Valley newspaper has issued a call for artists to participate in an upcoming Arts Festival scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14, 2026. The festival will feature a juried art exhibit, a saloon art exhibit, a textile exhibition, children and youth exhibits, and free dance and music performances, along with an MV Idol, Jr. performance after the parade.
The historic Paradiso nightclub in Rimini, Italy, which opened in 1957 and became one of Europe's most famous discos, is being transformed into a cultural hub. Acquired at auction in 2018 by Filo Srl after years of abandonment, the site underwent extensive renovation beginning in 2023. The new venue, named Casa Paradiso Art Gallery, is set to open between October and November 2026. It will feature art exhibitions, fashion shows, and corporate events, housed in a sustainable building that retains symbolic elements of its past, such as the iconic entrance gate.
L’aeroporto di Padova vuole diventare un hub culturale
Padua's Gino Allegri Airport, historically used for military purposes and now partially repurposed for commercial and tourist flights, is transforming into a cultural hub. In December 2024, the Terminal Urbano opened inside the airport, a multifunctional space created by Heron Air (the private flight company that has managed the airport since 2021 under a 20-year concession). The space includes the Himmelmann exhibition area for temporary shows, performances, and conferences, and features permanent works such as Sergio Rodella's "Icaro." Now, the airport is moving to phase two: a massive renovation of former military hangars, set to begin by 2026, which will demolish old helicopter offices, refurbish the first hangar, and restore the former Aeroclub building. Some spaces will be sold to private entities, while others will be dedicated to public, non-profit artistic, and educational projects.
The Escalante Canyons Art Festival returns September 18–27, 2026, in Southern Utah, inviting artists and visitors to engage with the landscape through plein air painting, studio submissions, and special categories like nocturne and miniature works. The festival offers over $10,000 in prizes, including a Best of Show purchase award of $1,500, and features a dedicated junior division with no entry fee. Highlights include the Escalante 150th Anniversary Paint-Out, workshops, live music, judges’ talks, historic walking tours, and a play by local playwright Raymond Shurtz, all set near the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument.
The Keokuk Community School District in Iowa plans to open a new art gallery in fall 2026, featuring student work and organized by the Keokuk High School Art Department. The gallery will be located in the same building as the Collaboration Center in the district's new central office at 420 N. 17th St. in Keokuk. To fund display items such as frames, pedestals, and presentation equipment, the Art Department is hosting a fundraiser with sponsorship levels ranging from $250 to over $1,000, offering recognition opportunities for donors.
A new pop-up gallery focused on the intersection of manufacturing and art will open at SouthSide Works on May 21 and operate throughout the summer. The space complements an existing gallery in the Hill District, aiming to bridge industrial heritage with contemporary artistic expression.
The article profiles a minimally designed art gallery located in South Delhi, highlighting its architectural and interior design approach. The gallery emphasizes clean lines, sparse decoration, and a focus on the artwork itself, creating a serene environment for viewing contemporary art.
A touring exhibition featuring work by well-established and up-and-coming Saskatchewan artists has opened at a church-turned-art gallery in St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month. The show focuses on mental health themes and brings together diverse artistic voices in a small town 60 kilometres east of the Alberta border.
Art Works in Richmond, Virginia, is presenting six new exhibits from May through June 2026, featuring artists Heidi Peelen, Geneva Dinh, Anna Demovidova, RVA Clay Founding Members, and Meagan Samuel. Highlights include the May All Media Show, a juried exhibition of regional artists, and a collaborative Bridge Project with Richmond Public Schools, the Children’s Museum of Richmond, and Richard Harding. The venue also offers over 80 working artist studios, free admission, and free parking, with exhibits running through various dates in June and July.
Santa Maria's Betteravia Art Gallery will host a free opening reception for a new exhibition exploring how contemporary artists depict, interpret, and challenge ideas of nature in the 21st century. The event takes place on Thursday evening and is supported by the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture.
The Crisfield Arts & Entertainment District is calling for artists to participate in 'Symphony of Senses II: Where Art & Music Converge,' an exhibition opening with a reception on May 29 in Crisfield, Maryland. The article, behind a paywall, invites local artists to submit work for this themed show blending visual art and music.
Friedman Memorial Airport in the Wood River Valley will host an artist reception on May 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. to unveil its latest art exhibition. The event will feature hors d'oeuvres and beverages, allowing attendees to view new artworks displayed throughout the airport and meet the artists in person, with validated parking provided.
The Tampa Bay Times is promoting a digital subscription service that offers a replica of its printed newspaper, available on desktop, mobile, and app platforms. The article highlights an exhibition titled "Neverne Covington: Into the Mystic" as part of the Tampa Bay Times Events, though no further details about the exhibition are provided in the text.