Hotel and art hub Casabianca opens on Italy's Lake Como

The De Santis family, accomplished hoteliers on Lake Como, has opened Casabianca, a new hotel and art hub in a 1930 villa designed by Piero Ponci. The property features three apartment-style suites launching later this year, while its lower floors are already open to the public for €15, displaying around 50 works from the family's collection of post-war Italian art, including pieces by Arte Povera artists such as Alighiero Boetti, Mario Merz, and Jannis Kounellis. The venture is the latest in a series of heritage hotel restorations by the family, who previously revived the Grand Hotel Tremezzo and Passalacqua.

british water mill sale turner painting inspiration

Brendan and Celia Wilson are selling Rossett Mill, a Grade II-listed 16th-century water mill in Wrexham, Wales, for £1.5 million ($2 million). The couple purchased the derelict property 17 years ago for £660,000 and spent two years and roughly £250,000 restoring it into a four-bedroom home, sourcing reclaimed oak beams from France and preserving its historic character. The mill, which dates to 1588, once inspired an early painting by J.M.W. Turner titled *Marford Mill* (1795), created during one of his tours of Wales. The Wilsons are selling to move closer to their children.

canada giant van gogh easel fate

In 1997, artist Cameron Cross installed The Big Easel, a 75-foot-tall sculpture of an easel displaying a reproduction of Vincent van Gogh's sunflower paintings, in Altona, Canada, to honor the town's status as the Sunflower Capital of Canada. After a windstorm on February 28 blew off a panel of the painting and further damage occurred on March 15, the town removed the four-ton painting and conducted a survey to gauge public support for restoration. A majority of respondents (68%) voted to save the artwork, with 60% preferring a hand-painted canvas over a printed replica and 61% wanting to keep the Van Gogh sunflowers. Cross plans to rebuild the fiberglass canvas from scratch and repaint the image in 2026, with costs estimated at CA$70,000 ($50,500) for a durable marine-grade plywood version.

frank lloyd wright walser house foreclosure

Frank Lloyd Wright's Walser House, a rare Prairie-style home in Chicago's Austin neighborhood, is returning to market after being acquired by Fannie Mae through foreclosure. The house has been vacant and neglected since 2019, when its long-time owner died, and requires an estimated $2 million in restoration work. A foreclosure sale in December 2025 failed when preservation advocates were priced out by a minimum bid of $240,000, well above the property's appraised value of $65,000. Fannie Mae now holds the title and is preparing the property for listing, offering a potential path to new ownership.

manhattans beloved elizabeth street garden is saved

New York City has abandoned plans to demolish Soho's Elizabeth Street Garden for affordable housing, instead rezoning three nearby sites to build 620 units while preserving the garden. The deal, brokered with council member Christopher Marte—a former garden volunteer—ends a years-long campaign backed by celebrities like Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, and Patti Smith, as well as artists JR and Dustin Yellin and curator Klaus Biesenbach. The garden, filled with antique architectural remnants, was created by the late Allan Reiver and his son Joseph Reiver, who continued the fight after Allan's death in 2021.

luka doncic vandalized kobe and gigi mural

Luka Dončić, the newest star player for the Los Angeles Lakers, quietly funded the restoration of a mural depicting Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna (Gigi) Bryant after it was vandalized in downtown Los Angeles. Dončić donated $5,000 to a GoFundMe campaign organized by artist Louie Palsino, who created the mural titled "Mambas Forever" at 14th and Main Streets. The donation covered the full cost of restoring the defaced artwork, which honors the Lakers legend and his daughter who died in a 2020 helicopter crash.

Lima’s historic city centre to be restored after years of earthquake damage and abandonment

The Metropolitan Municipality of Lima has launched an ambitious revitalization project called Lima 2035 to restore the city's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Decades of neglect, earthquakes, and urban flight have left many buildings abandoned and damaged, particularly those made of adobe and quincha. The project, led by architect Luis Martín Bogdanovich Mendoza, involves over 500 professionals working since 2019 to rehabilitate the area, with completion timed for Lima's 500th birthday in 2035.

Dans les ateliers de la Maison du vitrail, où création et restauration conjuguent au présent cet art du verre et de la couleur

The article visits the Maison du vitrail, a French stained-glass workshop founded in 1973 by Christiane and Philippe Andrieux and now run by their daughter Emmanuelle. Located in a historic courtyard, the studio employs fourteen artisans who cut, paint, and assemble colored glass for both restoration and original creations. The workshop has evolved from a small space in Châtillon to a thriving enterprise that handles everything from church windows and Parisian staircases to trophies, jewelry, and commercial projects for clients like Truffaut and the Casino de Paris.

Salisbury Cathedral restores stained-glass treasure by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris

Salisbury Cathedral has completed a two-year restoration of a stained-glass window designed by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. The 6.5-metre "Angels" window, depicting ministering and praising angels, was carefully removed in February 2024, cleaned, and fitted with protective glazing and oak frames. Head glazier Sam Kelly, who began as an apprentice at the cathedral 40 years ago, led the project alongside colleagues Vicky Pearce, Kate Kersey, and Alfie Durrant. Lost details were restored on backing glass rather than the original surface, and the window will be rededicated at an evensong service on 7 May.

5 art exhibits in Kansas City you should catch this fall

Kansas City's fall art season features five notable exhibitions, including DeAnna Skedel's retrospective 'The Edge of Your Field' at the Bunker Center for the Arts, 'Animate Ground' at Gallery Bogart showcasing clay and pigment works by artists like Mónica Figueroa and Jo Archuleta, and 'The Mother And… Project' at Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, which explores mothering ethics through diverse artistic practices. Other highlights include exhibitions focusing on earth, land, motherhood, and the elements, offering a season of reconnection and self-reflection.

Fire-damaged room at Castle Howard brought back to life by meticulous restoration

The Tapestry Drawing Room at Castle Howard, a historic stately home in Yorkshire, England, has been meticulously restored after being gutted by a fire in 1940. The room, originally adorned with early 18th-century tapestries woven by John Vanderbank and based on scenes by David Teniers, was reduced to a scorched shell. Nick Howard, whose family has lived in the house for three centuries, oversaw the restoration, which involved reinstalling the original tapestries—found rolled up in the attic—after conservation by Alison Stanton. The centerpiece, a painting by Marco Ricci titled *Judgment of Paris*, and a newly built fireplace based on archival photographs complete the revival.

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.

kusterberg megalithic tomb germany restoration

Archaeologists and volunteers in Haldensleben, Germany, have reconstructed the Küsterberg megalithic tomb, a Neolithic burial chamber dating back roughly 5,500 years. The project, based on excavations by the German Research Foundation between 2010 and 2013, involved reassembling 19 upright stones and seven capstones, restoring the tomb's original form after it was altered by Iron Age peoples and damaged over millennia. The restored tomb was unveiled on the European Day of Megalithic Culture in April.

Union Theatre exhibit at arts museum raises more than $1,000 toward revival of the Attleboro landmark

The Attleboro Arts Museum held an exhibition titled “Staging a Comeback” that raised over $1,000 to support the revival of the historic Union Theatre in Attleboro, Massachusetts. The theater, which opened in 1928 as a vaudeville house and later became a movie theater, has been closed since 2002 and is owned by the Friedman family. The exhibit featured items on loan from the theater, including vintage Gold Metal brand popcorn boxes, and a popcorn-themed artwork by local artist Billie Klegraefe.

La tour Perret, premier gratte-ciel en béton armé d’Europe, renaît à Grenoble après 60 ans de fermeture

The Tour Perret in Grenoble, Europe's first reinforced concrete skyscraper, will reopen to the public on July 11, 2026, after being closed since the 1960s. Designed by Auguste Perret in 1925 for the International Exhibition of White Coal and Tourism, the 95-meter tower has undergone a complex restoration led by heritage architect François Botton, addressing water infiltration and corrosion while preserving its original character.

Hundreds attend gallery opening at historic homestead

The historic Rototāwai homestead in South Wairarapa, New Zealand, has officially opened a new public art gallery and cultural space. Facilitated by the Anna Bidwill Foundation, the site features Bidwill’s extensive private art collection housed within her restored childhood home. The opening ceremony, which included a traditional pōwhiri and an address by Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith, marks the culmination of a four-year restoration project since Bidwill repurchased the estate in 2020.

Downtown Fayetteville has a new art gallery in a restored warehouse

A historic warehouse in downtown Fayetteville, known as the Porter Produce Warehouse, has been restored and opened as the Alexander Gallery, operated by the Walton Arts Center. The gallery's inaugural exhibition, "Our Art, Our Region, Our Time," features 106 works from 75 local artists and debuted at a grand opening on Wednesday evening. The building, built in 1906 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, had been closed to the public for 35 years. Walton Arts Center spent $950,000 on interior renovations, while the city contributed about $1 million for exterior restoration.

Celebrity artists support Oxford primary school art exhibition

An Oxford primary school is hosting an art exhibition on 16-17 and 23-25 May as part of Oxford Art Weeks, featuring works by celebrity artists to raise funds for improving the school's deteriorating adventure playground and restoring a community green space. The exhibition, themed 'inspired by birds,' is accompanied by talks from historian Mark Davies on how Jericho and Oxford inspired figures like Lewis Carroll and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.

rome tour well preserved underground dwelling livestream

Rome is offering livestream tours of the House of the Griffins, an ancient Roman home on the Palatine Hill that has never been open to the public. Dating to the 2nd-1st century BCE, the dwelling features well-preserved frescoes, mosaics, and two stucco griffins. Starting March 3, after years of restoration, small groups of up to 12 visitors can watch a guide with a head-mounted camera explore the underground structure, with narration in English or Italian.

Yearning for Sun, New Yorkers Soak Up the Sauna

New Yorkers gathered at the waterfront for the Culture of Bathe-ing Festival, an event centered around public saunas and cold-water plunges. The festival offered a communal, wellness-focused experience as a respite from the urban grind and recent cold weather.

Extraordinary opening of Forte Aurelia in Rome. The military garrison becomes a new space for culture

Apertura straordinaria del Forte Aurelia a Roma. Il presidio militare diventa nuovo spazio per la cultura

After ten years of restoration, the Forte Aurelia complex in Rome has reopened to the public as a cultural space, museum, and venue for events and exhibitions. Built between 1877 and 1881 as part of Rome's defensive ring, the fort was later used as a shelter, Red Cross hospital, and logistics center for the Guardia di Finanza. The official inauguration took place on the symbolic date of Rome's founding, attended by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, and Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, who framed the project within a broader strategy to enhance the city's historical heritage.

A Genova riapre dopo un lungo restauro la Torre Grimaldina. La visita al belvedere di Palazzo Ducale

The Torre Grimaldina, a medieval tower in Genoa's Palazzo Ducale, has reopened after extensive restoration and safety upgrades funded by Italy's PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). Built in the late 13th century as a symbol of municipal power, the tower later served as a prison for political dissidents, including Risorgimento patriots and anti-fascist activists, as well as the violinist Niccolò Paganini. The restoration has preserved historic graffiti and inscriptions left by inmates, while reopening the tower's belvedere offering panoramic views of the city.

What’s new at Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk this February

Springfield's February First Friday Art Walk is set to feature a diverse lineup of exhibitions and events across multiple downtown venues. Highlights include the Annual Foundations Exhibition at Brick City Gallery showcasing Missouri State University student work, a photography exhibition on English medieval architecture by Tom Russo at Drury Pool Arts Gallery, and a fifth-anniversary celebration for the artist collective Formed. Other participating locations include Hotel Vandivort, Obelisk Home, The Creamery Arts Center, and the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center, which will host a 40-year ceramic art retrospective by Keith Ekstam.

Fit for a king: the drapery bedchamber at Germany's ‘Versailles of Swabia’ presents conservators with a special challenge

Friedrich I of Baden-Württemberg upgraded his summer residence, Ludwigsburg Palace in Germany, after allying with Napoleon and becoming king. Four prized rooms, including the unusually complete drapery bedchamber, are set to reopen in 2026 after substantial restoration. The bedchamber features original turquoise silks, now faded blue-green, and over 6,000 tassels, presenting a major conservation challenge. Textile conservator Anu-Susanna Ventelä notes it is likely the only palace in Europe with such an intact drapery room. The project is part of a larger revamp of 35 rooms funded by the State of Baden-Württemberg, with conservators consulting historical inventories to restore furnishings to their original layout.

Opening date announced for major Birmingham attraction

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery will reopen its history galleries to the public on Friday, May 2, 2025, after a five-year closure that began during the pandemic. The 850-square-meter refurbished exhibition chronicles Birmingham's history from medieval times to the present day, featuring unique objects and installations. The phased reopening of the museum began in October 2024, and the history galleries were developed with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hyderabad’s restored Sardar Mahal to open with cafe, art gallery and heritage stay

Sardar Mahal, a historic palace near Charminar in Hyderabad, has undergone restoration and will soon open to the public with a café, art gallery, cultural centre, and heritage accommodation. The ₹30-crore project, overseen by the Quli Qutb Shah Urban Development Authority (QQSUDA), is nearing completion and expected to be operational within two months. Built in 1900 by Nizam VI Mir Mahboob Ali Khan for his consort Sardar Begum, the building was declared a heritage structure by INTACH and later taken over by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in 1965.

Grand opening set for new art gallery in historic Porter Produce warehouse

The historic Porter Produce warehouse in Fayetteville, Arkansas, built in 1906, has been transformed into a public art gallery called the Alexander Gallery at the Porter Art Warehouse. A grand opening celebration is set for October 29, featuring a ribbon cutting, the inaugural exhibition "Our Art, Our Region, Our Time," live music, and screen printing. The project was a collaboration between the city, Walton Arts Center, and the University of Arkansas, with a $1 million exterior restoration and a $950,000 interior renovation by Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects and Sargent Contracting. The gallery is named for Bob and Becky Alexander, whose foundation supported the project.

The Mokka-Milch-Eisbar reopens on Karl-Marx-Allee

Die Mokka-Milch-Eisbar eröffnet wieder auf der Karl-Marx-Allee

The iconic Mokka-Milch-Eisbar, a legendary ice cream café from East Berlin's DDR era, is reopening on Karl-Marx-Allee after a heritage-sensitive renovation. The pavilion, built in the early 1960s as part of the second construction phase of the boulevard, was famously celebrated in a 1969 DDR pop song. New operators Natacha and Alexander Neumann are launching the venue under the name "Mokka Milch" as a restaurant, café, and bar, with an opening celebration on Wednesday. The building's distinctive yellow-tiled facade and large glass windows have been preserved under strict heritage guidelines, overseen by the state monument office.

Turkish power plant reborn as regional cultural hub

A century-old power plant in Merzifon, northern Turkey, has been transformed into a cultural hub called Motorhane, opening late last month with a concert and an exhibition of local artists. The building retains its original generator, pressure valve, and switch room, with unplastered walls and concrete floors awaiting restoration. The project is backed by the Motorhane Culture Network (MOKA), supported by Ortaklaşa—a cultural development body administered by the Istanbul Culture and Arts Foundation (İKSV)—and funded by a €3 million EU grant. Other MOKA members include the Sinop Sustainable Development Association, which runs the Sinopale biennial.

CUSP Gallery brings contemporary art to Belmont Chapel

CUSP Gallery is organizing the first art exhibition at Newport's historic Belmont Chapel following a major restoration. Titled "As Above, So Below," the show runs from June 14 to 22, 2025, and features circular paintings by local artist Juditta Musette that blend cosmic and earthly themes. The opening reception is June 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. The chapel, built in 1886 by financier August Belmont in memory of his daughter Pauline, recently underwent restoration led by the Belmont Chapel Foundation, earning the 2024 Doris Duke Historic Preservation Award and a Rhody Award for Historic Preservation. Musette will also preview a painting at the Belmont Stakes Race Day Fundraiser, donating it to the foundation's charity auction.