May Things to Do: Visual Art

This article from a Seattle arts publication rounds up May visual art events, including the Seattle Art Book Fair (May 9–10) at Washington Hall featuring over 85 artists and free admission; Timothy White Eagle's exhibition "Once Wild River" (May 9–June 21) at Mini Mart City Park, culminating his EPA artist-in-residency; "Monochrome: Calder and Tara Donovan" (May 13–Jan 17, 2027) at the Seattle Art Museum, where Donovan responds to Alexander Calder's black works; "Rebels + Icons: The Photography of Janette Beckman" opening May 15 at MoPOP, the largest collection of her iconic musician portraits; and Drie Chapek's "Then Is Now" (May 21–June 27).

Museum Night in Paris and Île-de-France: 5 ideas to get off the beaten track

Nuit des musées à Paris et en Île-de-France : 5 idées pour sortir des sentiers battus

The article from Beaux Arts Magazine offers five alternative recommendations for experiencing the Nuit des Musées (Museum Night) in Paris and the Île-de-France region on May 23. Instead of visiting major museums like the Musée d'Orsay or the Grand Palais, readers are guided to lesser-known institutions and unique activities: exploring the craftsmanship of Sèvres porcelain at the Mobilier national, joining a festive dance workshop led by choreographer Wanjiru Kamuyu at the Palais de la Porte-Dorée, creating a collective fresco inspired by Jean Dubuffet at the Parc de l'Île Saint-Germain in Issy-les-Moulineaux, and immersing in the historical atmosphere of 1936 at the Musée de l'Histoire vivante in Montreuil.

Top 5 Art Exhibits in Orange County This Spring

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MoMA Curatorial Eye Comes to Greenwich Art Society

Caitlin Chaisson, a curatorial assistant in the Department of Painting and Sculpture at The Museum of Modern Art, will serve as juror for the Greenwich Art Society’s 109th Annual Juried Exhibition. The show runs from May 14 through June 11 at the Bendheim Gallery in the Greenwich Arts Council’s space at 299 Greenwich Avenue, featuring selected works by local artists competing for a place in one of the town’s established juried art events.

What’s on now at San Francisco museums, May 2026

San Francisco museums are navigating a mix of upcoming exhibitions and financial challenges in May 2026. SFMOMA is closing "KAWS: Family" on May 3 and opening "Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal" from May 16 to September 13. The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts has suspended operations due to funding issues, and SOMArts is also facing a budget gap. Meanwhile, the Museum of Craft and Design presents "Video Craft" through August 16, and the Letterform Archive hosts "Black Memory Scholar: The Language of Storytellers" and "Piet Zwart: Brand Architect." SFMOMA has announced three SECA award winners—CrossLypka, Em Kettner, and Chanell Stone—who will exhibit from December 2026 to May 2027, and the museum continues to showcase "Reimagined: The Fisher Collection at 10" and new installations by Alexander Calder, Claes Oldenburg + Coosje van Bruggen, and Rose B Simpson.

Ellen Noël Art Museum Looks Toward Future Following Renovation & Reopening

The Ellen Noël Art Museum of the Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas, reopened in December 2025 after a decade-long, $20 million renovation. The project added 8,000 square feet, a new silver oval exterior, a two-story lobby, renovated galleries, and a state-of-the-art lighting system. The museum is currently in transition, with interim director Steve Patton overseeing operations while a search for a permanent executive director is underway. Recent exhibitions include "Home, Love, and Loss" and "Shifting Subjects: The Heroes of the West."

History of the Branca Tower in Milan returning as protagonist thanks to Fabio Volo's TV show

Storia della Torre Branca di Milano che torna protagonista grazie alla trasmissione tv di Fabio Volo

The Torre Branca in Milan, originally designed by architect Gio Ponti in 1932 for the V Triennale di Milano, is experiencing renewed cultural relevance. After years of abandonment and restoration by Fratelli Branca Distillerie (which gave it its current name), the tower reopened to the public in 2002. In April 2026, it became the set of "Kong – Con la testa tra le nuvole," a new television program hosted by Fabio Volo on Rai 3, featuring celebrities and cultural figures discussing existential themes. Additionally, the tower was recently reinterpreted through contemporary photography in an exhibition by Francesco Jodice at Galleria Frittelli Rizzo in Milan.

Jersey Arts TV: Exploring Native Knowledge and Art at Montclair Art Museum

Jersey Arts TV has released a new episode exploring Native knowledge and art at the Montclair Art Museum. The episode highlights the museum's commitment to showcasing Indigenous perspectives through its collections and exhibitions, featuring interviews with curators and artists who discuss the cultural significance and contemporary relevance of Native American art. The segment aims to educate viewers on the intersection of traditional knowledge and modern artistic expression.

Accessibility through art broadening experiences at expanded Gallery

Newcastle Art Gallery in Australia has unveiled two groundbreaking accessibility commissions: a digital guide named Nancy and architectural-scale sculptures by artist Fayen d'Evie. The digital guide offers a 24-stop tour with audio, Auslan-interpreted video, and written descriptions, developed through a 'by community, for community' model involving d/Deaf consultants, Auslan interpreters, and First Nations consultants. The sculptural solution addresses the gallery's original floating staircases, providing safe navigation for visitors who are blind or have low vision. A panel talk and Auslan-interpreted tour on Saturday will highlight these initiatives.