Pioneering British photographer Julia Margaret Cameron honoured with a blue plaque in London

A blue plaque has been unveiled on the London home of pioneering British photographer Julia Margaret Cameron at 10 Chesham Place in Belgravia, celebrating her legacy. Cameron took up photography at age 48 and created iconic portraits of figures like Alfred Tennyson, Charles Darwin, and Thomas Carlyle, as well as images of her family and neighbors. The plaque was installed by English Heritage, with family members including musician Jules Cameron, singer Jasmine van den Bogaerde (Birdy), and artist Julian Bell attending the ceremony. Cameron's great-great-great-granddaughter Jules Cameron noted that the honor feels like a continuation of her work to fix presence in light and memory.

Festival of Art and Music ‘tent event’ to connect local artists

Local independent band Elephant's Eye is organizing a free festival of art and live music at CitySpace's Blueroom in Easthampton's Old Town Hall on Saturday, May 16, from 6-9 p.m. The event features art exhibits, live music from local bands, spoken word performances, and a multimedia experience, with a suggested $5 donation. Performers include Dr. James Hartley, Jonny Allen, Kentucky Dave Chandler, and Elephant's Eye Band, who will close the show with paintings circling the stage.

5 secret jewels to discover in Europe

5 joyaux secrets à découvrir en Europe

L'Œil magazine has curated a list of five European cities rich in art historical treasures, highlighting hidden gems for cultural getaways. The first city profiled is Mainz, Germany, featuring the Romanesque-Gothic Mainzer Dom (Imperial Cathedral of St. Martin), the Gutenberg Museum showcasing the 42-line Bible as a landmark of printing history, and the Church of St. Stephen with its iconic blue stained-glass windows designed by Marc Chagall. The second city is Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where the old town blends ancient Roman ruins (a stadium, forum, odeon, and theater from the 2nd century) with 19th-century Bulgarian National Revival houses, such as the Balabanov, Hindliyan, and Kuyumdzhioglu houses, now converted into museums.

Best Bets: Rosemont hosts Spring Fun Fest and Anime Central

This article is a roundup of upcoming events in the Chicago area, primarily focused on the Rosemont suburb. It announces the annual Spring Fun Fest at Parkway Bank Park on May 16, featuring family activities and music, and the return of Anime Central, a major anime and Japanese pop-culture convention, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center from May 15-17. The article also lists several other cultural happenings, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's all-French program, a new exhibition at the Driehaus Museum titled "Ink & Outrage: 18th Century Satirical Prints in London & Dublin," an improv performance by Bluebird Improv at the Studebaker Theater, and a Chamber Blues concert by Corky Siegel at Space in Evanston.

WATCH | Steelman to host studio tour with Arts and the Park Saturday and Sunday

Bethannie Newsom Steelman will host a studio tour at 415 Park Ave. in Hot Springs on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11 a.m., as part of Arts and the Park. The event features live painting by Steelman, musical performances by Ricko Donovan, DJ Schaeffer, Gino Del Ray, and the band Inoculated Log, as well as New Orleans-style snowballs from Spa City Snowballs. Steelman, who creates murals for businesses, began renting her studio in April and is excited to share her creative process with the public.

May 2026 Free Museum Days In San Francisco, From SFMOMA To The Legion Of Honor

A guide published in April 2026 lists free admission days at San Francisco museums and gardens for May 2026. Participating institutions include the Asian Art Museum, Legion of Honor, de Young Museum, SFMOMA, Conservatory of Flowers, San Francisco Zoo, GLBT Historical Society Museum, Museum of Craft and Design, Museum of the African Diaspora, SF Botanical Garden, and Japanese Tea Garden. Many venues also offer recurring free days for Bay Area residents, EBT cardholders, and library card holders through programs like Museums for All and Discover and Go.

Bilingual Catacombs of Neto Art Museum is much more than art on a wall

Milwaukee's Third Ward now hosts The Catacombs of Neto Art Museum, a bilingual museum-gallery hybrid founded by artist-couple Ernesto Atkinson and Jenny Urbanek. Housed in the Marshall building's basement tunnels, the one-and-a-half-year-old space serves as a permanent home for Atkinson's work, which he previously stored in his basement. The couple, inspired by visits to sites like Els Quatre Gats in Barcelona and the Milwaukee Art Museum, conceived the museum as a "sacred resting place" where art comes alive through viewer interaction. Atkinson, a licensed art therapist, integrates psychological and wellness elements into the museum, which also functions as a gallery, educational space, community hub, and introduction to art therapy.

AOY Art Center announces award winners of the 14th Annual Juried Show

AOY Art Center announced the award winners of its 14th Annual Juried Show, with David Orban taking first place for his oil on cradled wood panel, “Bi-plane and Blue Truck in Red.” Juror Amanda C. Burdan, senior curator at the Brandywine Museum, selected the piece for its surreal use of red. Second place went to Jean Burdick for “Silverton,” a silkscreen on vellum, and third place to Darlene Decker for “For the Monarchs,” an oil painting. The Frumi Cohen Memorial Award was presented to Cathy Hanville for her photograph “What’s for Dinner,” and honorable mentions were awarded to Scott Hoerl and Barbara Kaiser. The exhibition, featuring 135 works from over 425 entries by 150 local artists, is on view through May 3 at the AOY Art Center in Yardley, Pennsylvania, and online.

Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography features two members and a guest artist

Gallery 14 Fine Art Photography in Hopewell, New Jersey, will host a group exhibition from May 16 through June 14, featuring two member artists and one guest artist. The show includes John Stritzinger's series 'Trees Find A Way,' which captures trees in urban and rural settings; Dutch Bagley's 'What In The World,' a self-taught photographic exploration of environment and diversity; and guest artist Elvira Peretsman's 'The Fractured Perspective,' which uses experimental in-camera techniques to reveal abstract geometric forms. A meet-the-artists reception is scheduled for Sunday, May 17 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Gallery of Art 850 hosts ‘The Color Blue’ art exhibit

The Gallery of Art 850 in Panama City, Florida, hosted an opening reception for 'The Color Blue' art exhibit on Thursday evening. This is the second in a series of themed exhibitions, following last year's 'The Color Red' held in conjunction with the RedFish Film Festival. The show features 75 works in all media, from paintings to sculptures, all incorporating shades of blue, up from 63 entries last year.

Art and Design seniors exhibit their work at Krannert Art Museum

More than 100 seniors from the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will showcase their final projects at Krannert Art Museum from May 9 to May 16. The Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition features work across all disciplines, including art education, art history, graphic design, industrial design, and studio art. Graphic design students Rinnell Borges and Natalie Mora created the exhibition's branding and catalog under the theme "Myth of Originality," drawing inspiration from fellow students' work and university archives. Individual projects include Borges's syrup packaging concept, Mora's communication guide for Latino communities, Caroline Dorion's charcoal drawings of draped female figures, and Sylvie Leyerle's children's book about her adoption from China.

Young talent shines at fourth annual student art show

Slanted Art Co-Op in Montrose hosted its fourth annual student art show, featuring high school artists from four of the six school districts in the county. Students displayed works in acrylic, oil, pastels, ceramics, and mixed media, with some pieces available for sale. Notable participants included Forest City senior Amanda Borsheski, whose acrylic painting "Mandarin" and other works won multiple awards, and Blue Ridge senior Madison Gaylord, who exhibited a paint-dotted vinyl record and a relief sculpture. The event was curated by the students themselves and included awards such as Judges Delight and People's Choice.

DO Savannah: Ella Langley, TEDxSavannah, and more

This article is a local events calendar for Savannah, Georgia, covering the week of May 12–21, 2026. Highlights include a SCAD Jewelry Trunk Show, a Telfair Museums anniversary preview of Impressionism and Modernity: French and American Painting with a lecture by National Gallery of Art curator Mary Morton, the opening of the Seven Ladies Exhibit at the Davenport House Museum, the 15th annual TEDxSavannah, a country concert by Ella Langley, a brewery anniversary party, a jazz fundraiser, and several preservation-focused lectures including one by National Preservation Partners Network CEO Kim Trent and a talk on landscape architect Clermont Lee. The Courtyard Concert Series at SCAD MOA concludes with local bluegrass band Swamptooth.

Reconnecting with the Handmade: The Hart Gallery’s Ampersand student art exhibit

William & Mary students showcased their handmade artworks in the Hart Gallery's "Handmade" exhibit, held in conjunction with the Ampersand International Arts Festival. Curated by alumna Zara Fina Stasi '12, a Richmond-based artist and founder of Good for the Bees, the multimedia exhibition featured approximately a dozen student submissions including assemblage, collage, sculpture, sewn hangings, and traditional painting. Student curators Gibran Adnan '27 and Rebecca Graber '27 collaborated with Stasi to select and install the works, which explored themes of experimentation, self-expression, and the human process of creating by hand.

'Celebrate Arts & Aging': Philadelphia Corporation for Aging hosting 24th annual senior art show

The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) is hosting its 24th annual senior art show, 'Celebrate Arts & Aging,' across three locations: the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center, the South Philadelphia Older Adult Center, and Center on the Hill in Germantown. The exhibition features 140 artists aged 55 to 101, displaying works in various mediums including painting, photography, textiles, and pencil drawings. Notable pieces include Elizabeth Richburg-Durand's painting of Maya Angelou, Denise Ballinger's 'Peace on the Horizon,' and Russell Williams's 'Brilliant in Blue,' this year's signature artwork. The physical exhibits run through May, while a virtual show remains online for the year at PCACares.org.

Art lovers pack the Sugar Wharf for Go Troppo opening night

The Go Troppo exhibition opened on May 18, 2026, at the historic Sugar Wharf in Port Douglas, Australia, kicking off the Carnivale 2026 festivities. Organized by Port Douglas Artists Inc., the show features contemporary art from across Far North Queensland, tied to this year's Carnivale theme, "Ancient Wonders." The free exhibition runs daily from May 19 to May 24, drawing locals and visitors to view regional talent.

In “El Arte de la Resistencia,” migrant children share their experiences through art

An art exhibition titled "El Arte de la Resistencia" opened in Tucson, featuring artwork created by migrant children who have participated in La Ristra's art therapy program. The show includes life-size paintings, such as a boy's self-portrait with an excavator in his belly symbolizing his deported father's work, and a colorful cactus painted by another child. The exhibition, held in a small gallery near Fourth Avenue and Seventh Street, runs until May 17, 2026, with original pieces for sale to benefit the young artists and prints sold to raise funds for La Ristra, a nonprofit providing emotional support to migrant families.

A unique breast cancer charity raising money through art

Belinda Gray, founder of breast cancer charity Art For Cure, shares her story ahead of the charity's latest exhibition at Wyken Vineyards. After her own breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, Gray launched Art For Cure in 2014, initially hosting an exhibition in her home and garden that drew 2,000 visitors and raised £100,000. The charity has since sold over £3 million worth of art through exhibitions and online sales, with a percentage of each sale donated by artists to fund UK breast cancer research and support services. Gray, who had no prior art-world experience, now leads a voluntary team of 10 people staging annual public exhibitions at unique venues.

Turner Center for the Arts honors regional artists at the 39th Annual Spring Into Art Exhibition Gala

The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta hosted its 39th Annual Spring Into Art Gala on April 13, drawing hundreds of attendees. Over 150 regional artists submitted more than 300 original works for the region's most prominent art exhibition, which remains on display through June 10. Cash prizes totaling $6,000 were awarded across four categories, with Joe Morgan winning Best of Show for his painting "Lobster Lottery." The exhibition was curated by Madison Caldwell, and admission to the galleries is free.

Turner Center announces winners of 39th Annual Spring Into Art Gala

The Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, Georgia, has announced the winners of its 39th Annual Spring Into Art Gala. The event recognizes local and regional artists across multiple categories, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, with awards presented during a formal ceremony at the center.

Milan Depaves: A New Garden Arrives to Combine Sustainability and Culture

Milano si depavimenta: sta per arrivare un nuovo giardino per tenere insieme sostenibilità e cultura

Construction will begin in the coming weeks on Giardino Manifesto, an urban regeneration project at the historic Milanese cultural space Santeria Toscana 31. Presented on May 19, 2026, with Mayor Giuseppe Sala, Gruppo CAP President Yuri Santagostino, and architect Cristiana Cutrona of ReValue, the initiative transforms a fully paved external area into a green infrastructure applying sponge city (SUDS) principles. The design includes rain gardens, drainage surfaces, a rain-collecting amphitheater, and a sensory garden, aiming to reduce flood risk and lower perceived temperatures by up to 4-5°C through de-paving and resilient vegetation.

Ashe Arts Center hosting opening reception for new exhibit this Friday

The Ashe Arts Center in Lansing, North Carolina, is hosting an opening reception for "Shadow of the Hills," a new exhibit featuring artwork created by the Blue Ridge Art Clan (BRAC). The reception will take place on Friday, May 8, from 5-7 p.m., and the exhibit will remain on display through June 6. BRAC, founded by Florence Thomas in 1978, promotes fine arts and supports artistic excellence, with members including professional and hobby artists from Ashe County and the surrounding High Country. The 2026 exhibit features 28 participating artists, including Scott Ballard, Lynn Baranowski, and Pete Benda, among others.

Opening Reception For Show "AWE And DELIGHT" At Blue Streak Gallery Opens May 1st

Blue Streak Gallery in Wilmington, Delaware, is hosting an opening reception on May 1st for its new group exhibition titled "AWE and DELIGHT." The show features 20 artists, each contributing one painting that depicts something that brings them delight, showcasing a range of styles, techniques, and subjects. Participating artists include Ruth Ansel, Lisa Bartolozzi, Susie Benarcik, Jeremy Butler, Karen Delaney, Mary Page Evans, Alida Fish, Craig Hable, Sutton Hays, Annie Oldach, Annie Patrizi, Rachel Romano, Lynda Schmid, Libbie Soffer, Bill Spiker, Carol Spiker, Steve Tanis, and Valetta. The exhibition runs through June 2nd.

Helena College exhibits capstone 'The Cost of Living' project at Holter Museum of Art

Helena College is showcasing its annual capstone exhibition, titled 'The Cost of Living,' at the Holter Museum of Art in Helena, Montana. The show features final projects from six second-year art students—Vinessa Sanford, Kraig Mougeot, William Krings, Linus Leeper, Sophie Uda, and Red Romano—and opened on April 3, running through May 3, 2026. Assistant professor Seth Roby organized the exhibition, which includes works ranging from a turbulent abstract painting to a whimsical nook with lavender wisteria and fairy dwellings, all exploring existential themes tied to life and living.

Opening Reception: Tallahassee Watercolor Society's 2026 Tri-State Annual Juried Water Media Exhibition

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.

Rome: A new cultural space opens in Trastevere (there's also an art radio station)

Roma: apre a Trastevere un nuovo spazio culturale (c’è anche un radio sull’arte)

A new cultural space called ASIF has opened in Rome's Trastevere district at Via della Lungara 24, launching on May 8 with an exhibition titled "Educazione sentimentale per architetti" by artist and illustrator Chiara Carrer, running until June 20. The space is distinguished by an accompanying radio station that extends its reach through programs exploring art and the city, with a team including Yasmin Rosciglione, Arturo Zanaica, Novella Hoffer, Iacopo Taddia, Monica Dell'acqua, Edoardo Taddia, and Blanca Castro Xiques. The inaugural show, curated by Bonvini 1909 (named Artribune's gallery of the year in 2025), features over sixty works including collages, engravings, and sculptures centered on the theme of dwelling.

May Flowers: Opening Reception Featuring Community Artists Sat. May 9th at Blue Water Fine Art Gallery in Rockaway Beach – Tillamook County Pioneer

Blue Water Fine Art Gallery in Rockaway Beach, Oregon, is hosting a community exhibition titled “May Flowers,” running from May 8 to June 6, 2026. The show features North Coast artists working in various media, each offering their own interpretation of spring. A free opening reception will take place on Saturday, May 9, from 5–7 PM, allowing visitors to meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments.

First Friday Art Walk set this weekend in Sequim

The First Friday Art Walk in Sequim, Washington, will take place this weekend from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring an aqua-themed self-guided tour of downtown venues. Highlights include a reception for "May Flowers" at Blue Whole Gallery with works by Jolene Sanborn and Rick George, a fiber arts exhibit at Sequim Museum & Arts, and new works at A. Milligan Art Studio and Gallery by Lyn Conlan and Anne Pfeiffer, along with live music and local artisan offerings at multiple participating businesses.

Art Beat: Color Play exhibit is ‘must see’

Color Play, a new exhibition featuring hand-blown glass by Tyler Boles and mixed-media works by Sue Cranston, opened at Art’s House in River Falls on April 30 and runs through June 12. A Meet the Artist event is scheduled for May 6. Boles presents vibrant bowls, vases, and wine goblets, while Cranston’s work explores girlhood and memory through digital prints, vintage school chairs, and layered text, with prices ranging from $10 for digital prints to $750 for original pieces.

Historic Downtown Pocatello to hold Art Walk on Friday

Historic Downtown Pocatello will host its May First Friday Art Walk on Friday, May 1, from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring local and regional art, music, food, and fashion. Participating venues include the Pocatello Art Center with its Shared Perspectives Exhibition, White Owl Books & Imports, Knotty Twist inside Elwen Cottage hosting Indiana Morris of Firefly Designs, Walrus & Carpenter Books with an open mic, Enchantments offering aura photos and tarot readings, Salty's True Tattoo, Mitera Made, Purpose Tea, The Martlet Brewery with live music by Cat Daddy, The Hygge Place hosting author Daniel Miller, Old Town Alley Outdoor Gallery, Bluebird Country Boutique, Cottonwood Junction, The Not So Starving Artist gallery owned by Jim Bacigalupi, Main Street Mercantile & Antiques featuring Annie Oakley Design Co., Wysteriasage & The Vintage Menagerie, and Brick 243 Gastropub.