Polis presents Governor’s Legacy Award at Loveland art show

Colorado Governor Jared Polis presented the one-time 250/150/35 Governor’s Legacy Award to Longmont sculptor Parker McDonald at the Loveland Museum during the annual Governor’s Art Show. McDonald’s mixed-media sculpture “Compadres,” depicting a bison with a small bird on its back, was selected for telling a distinctly Colorado story. The award commemorates three milestones: the nation’s 250th anniversary, Colorado’s 150th anniversary, and the show’s 35th year. The juried exhibition features over 60 Colorado artists and is jointly sponsored by the Loveland and Thompson Valley Rotary clubs.

LCCC hosts 2026 student art show at Cheyenne campus gallery

Laramie County Community College (LCCC) is hosting its 2026 Student Art Show at the Esther and John Clay Fine Art Gallery on the Cheyenne campus, running through May 10. A public reception will be held on April 28 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Art instructor and gallery coordinator Daniel Maw expects over 100 submissions from currently enrolled students, featuring drawings, paintings, ceramics, and other media.

Arts Council weaves 50 years of connection through new exhibit

The Worcester County Arts Council in Berlin, Maryland, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a juried art competition and exhibition titled “Threads of Connections.” The show invites artists to submit original works exploring relationships across communities, cultures, and shared experiences, with submissions accepted in all media. Local artist and muralist Olga Deshields will serve as juror, selecting pieces for the exhibition running May 1 through June 28 at the Arts Council’s Berlin gallery. Artwork drop-off is scheduled for April 28-30, with an opening reception on May 8.

Attend Colorado Governor’s Art Show & Sale 2026 Opening Night Gala

The Colorado Governor’s Art Show & Sale, now in its 35th year, will introduce a special one-time award called the 250/150/35 Governor’s Legacy Art Award during its Opening Night Gala on April 24, 2026. The award, presented by Governor Jared Polis, recognizes a participating artist whose work reflects Colorado’s past, present, and future, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th anniversary. The exhibition runs from April 25 to June 6, 2026, at the Loveland Museum, featuring 65 Colorado artists working in various media, with sales supporting local Rotary Club community programs.

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.

Desert art and youthful joy fill Cobre Valley Center for the Arts

The Cobre Valley Center for the Arts in Arizona is hosting a month-long Desert Art Show through April, featuring hand-painted items, paintings, and photography from local and international artists including Debbie Yerkovich, Amanda Moore, Jessica Goodwin, Ivan Macarambon, and Wanda Mitchell-Tucker. During the same period, the Center celebrated the 'Week of the Young Child' with a special elementary student display titled 'A Joyful World,' showcasing artwork by local schoolchildren that explores themes of joy, family, and community. The children's exhibit also serves as a tribute to Carolyn Haro, a former key figure at the Center who had long envisioned such a display.

Heading for Brittany! 5 art galleries to visit in Rennes

Cap sur la Bretagne ! 5 galeries d’art à visiter à Rennes

Beaux Arts Magazine highlights five art galleries to visit in Rennes, France, a city already known for its Musée des Beaux-Arts, art centers 40mcube and La Criée, and a spectacular Frac designed by architect Odile Decq. The featured galleries include Oniris, which celebrates 40 years and the centenary of artist François Morellet in 2026; Jonathan Roze, a newcomer from Paris now located on Place du Parlement; Mica, a gallery in Saint-Grégoire run by former cabinetmaker Michaël Chéneau; and Divet, an even older gallery with a strong Breton identity.

Want a sneak peek at Springfield Art Museum's progress? Take a tour

The Springfield Art Museum, closed for over a year for renovations and expansion, is offering guided hard hat tours starting April 25, 2026. Led by Museum Director Nick Nelson and Foundation Executive Director Kate Francis, the free tours require advance registration and safety gear, and will run on select Saturdays through August and Tuesdays through September. The project includes a new special exhibition gallery, collection study room, and a naturalized creek and trail, with a second phase pending city funding.

New Leamington Spa art gallery to spotlight South Asian artists

A new art gallery in Leamington Spa is set to open with a focus on South Asian artists. The inaugural exhibition will feature paintings and works from eight local and national artists, including Amrit Singh Sandhu, Simran Kaur Panesar, and Rati Devi Sivyer. Sandhu, who also appears as an expert on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow, has worked in the art industry for 12 years and previously exhibited in London, New York, Paris, and Mumbai.

SCV News | May 31: SCAA Call to Artist 'Freshly Squeezed' Submission Deadline

The Santa Clarita Artists Association (SCAA) has issued a call for artists to submit work for its upcoming exhibition titled "Freshly Squeezed," with an entry deadline of May 31. The exhibition, running from June 18 to July 19 at the SCAA Gallery in Santa Clarita, California, invites original 2D and 3D fine art in all media that features citrus fruits, citrus-inspired colors, or abstract interpretations of a citrus palette. No video or AI-generated works are accepted, and pieces must not have been shown at the gallery in the last two years. Key dates include a reception on June 20, notification on June 2, and artwork drop-off on June 16.

American Popular Art Museum Educates Young Art Mediators for the 2026 Popular Arts Encounter in Cerrillos

The American Popular Art Museum Tomás Lago (MAPA) in Chile has trained a group of children as art mediators for the 2026 Popular Arts Encounter in Cerrillos. The program, called "Art Mediators in Your School," began after the school Pedro Aguirre Cerda hosted its first community art encounter in 2022, initiated by educator Sandra Ramírez and local organizers. Ten children received training in cultural mediation and art appreciation at MAPA, then guided their peers through the exhibition. The collaboration has deepened, with MAPA now also contributing to curating and exhibit design for the 2026 edition.

Studio Sessions: Raili Jänese

Artist Raili Jänese, an Estonian-born painter now based in Kirkland, Washington, creates colorful acrylic works that capture everyday human and animal behaviors with humor and tenderness. Her practice, which began after a corporate career, focuses on observation of mundane moments—people eating, drinking coffee, riding transit, and animals in urban settings. Her upcoming solo exhibition, "E.L.U," will be on view at Ryan James Fine Arts from May 1–31, 2025, with a Gallery Night on May 22. Jänese has shown work regionally at venues including Happy Time Studio Gallery, Oxbow Montlake, and the Seattle Art Fair, and has completed public art projects in Bellevue, Kent, Kirkland, and Seattle.

Student Art Exhibit Kicks Off At Chesapeake Gallery

Harford Community College's Annual Juried Student Art and Design Exhibition will run from May 6-29 at the Dr. James & Lynne LaCalle Chesapeake Gallery in the Chesapeake Welcome Center. An opening reception featuring a juror's talk is scheduled for May 7 from 5-6:30 p.m., followed by the Salon de Refuses in Joppa Hall. This year's guest juror is Matthew Moore, director of education and interpretation at the Academy Art Museum in Easton, who selected the exhibited works from student submissions.

New exhibit shares refugee’s journey to Baton Rouge

A new art exhibit titled "A Refugee's Origin" opens at the Shell Gallery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, featuring nearly 30 works by artist and rheumatologist K.T. Ho. The show includes paintings, photos, and installations that trace Ho's journey from Vietnam to Louisiana, exploring family history, culture, and the experience of survival and starting over. The free exhibit runs from April 27 through May 29, 2026, with an opening reception on May 1 featuring a lion dance and food, presented in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

MarfaMUST & Martha Invitational Return for Arts Weekend May 29-30

The Marfa Untitled Studio Tour (MarfaMUST) has announced an arts weekend on May 29-30, featuring a tour of local artist studios, the return of the Martha Invitational at Rule Gallery, and a pop-up group exhibition titled "Homecoming" at New Star Marfa. The Martha Invitational, a spoof of the larger Marfa Invitational, will showcase works by co-founders Martha Hughes, Leslie Wilkes, and Diana Simard, along with Bettina Landgrebe. The weekend also includes tintype portraits by Carolyn Macartney and other Marfa artists.

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.

Gallery Times

Carlton Gallery in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is hosting its 43rd Winter Group and Small Works Exhibition, featuring artwork in all media by standing gallery artists. The exhibition includes paintings, sculptures, wood, glass, clay, and wearable fiber by local and regional artisans, with notable works by George Cadell, Joe Mareka, Nancy Brittelle, Valerie Schnaufer, Mary Means, Bob Meier, Eric Reichard, and others. The gallery invites visitors for holiday cheer, and the show highlights winter landscapes, abstract compositions, and handcrafted jewelry. Separately, Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery promotes its collection of local art and framing services, emphasizing works by Elliott Daingerfield, North Carolina's most prolific artist.

How the South Side Community Art Center Grew from an Icon of the Black Renaissance to a Vital and Expanding Force

The South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC) in Chicago, the first Black art institution in the United States, is undergoing a major rehabilitation and expansion campaign. Founded in 1940 during the Chicago Black Renaissance, the center was established by community members including Dr. Margaret Taylor-Burroughs, Eldzier Cortor, Charles White, and Archibald Motley Jr., who raised funds through initiatives like the 'Mile of Dimes' campaign and the Annual Artists' and Models' Ball. Housed in a historic Bronzeville brownstone, the center has served as a vital hub for Black artists, hosting landmark exhibitions and creative programs.

How a Museum Built Its Buzz: Popcorn, Puppets and Free Tickets

The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens has doubled its attendance by repositioning itself as a community hub, using strategies such as offering free tickets, popcorn, and puppet shows to attract a broader audience beyond traditional cinephiles.

McRae Art Studios kicks off 40th anniversary with open house this weekend

McRae Art Studios, Orlando's oldest and largest professional artist collective, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a spring open house on April 25 at its 10,000-square-foot converted garage space in urban Orlando. Founded in 1986 by George and Marty Whipple, the studio has hosted over 100 award-winning artists across five locations. The event features studio visits, original artwork sales, live music, and a cash bar, along with a new exhibition of self-portraits titled "The Faces of McRae" created by the current 22 member artists. The collective is also reorganizing as a nonprofit to strengthen the local arts community.

Cocoa’s picks: Gallery openings, mural celebrations and music competitions

The article highlights several arts events in Bellingham, Washington, including a community mural celebration led by Coast Salish artist Jason LaClair, an opening reception for Charles Villiers' solo exhibition "Untethered" at Cordata Gallery, an improvised musical called "You: The Musical" at The Upfront Theatre, and a Youth Chamber Music Competition hosted by the Harmony Chamber Music Festival. These events span visual art, theater, and classical music, with the mural project involving over 500 children and families in selecting the design.

LMDC’s ‘Chance 4 Change’ program partners with Portland Museum to display inmates’ art

Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC) has partnered with the Portland Museum to display artwork created by inmates in the 'Chance 4 Change' program, a voluntary 90-day substance abuse treatment initiative. The exhibition, titled 'Human, Too,' features paper-based works by at least ten inmates and will run through the end of August, with a public reception scheduled for Friday evening.

'Fantastical' exhibition celebrates dreamlike worlds at Stevens Point's Riverfront Arts Center

The Riverfront Arts Center in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is hosting an opening reception for the exhibition 'Fantastical' on May 7. The event will feature food, entertainment, and the attendance of participating artists, with the exhibition itself running through June 14. The center is also accepting artist submissions for the show on April 30 and May 1.

Tiny Gallery Trail in Elmwood opens this Saturday

The ElmArt Collective is launching the Tiny Gallery Trail in Elmwood this Saturday, April 25. The one-mile trail features five custom-built boxes hosting rotating exhibitions, with the inaugural show titled 'Elmwood!' featuring work by five local artists. The opening event includes a beer garden kickoff, an art bike parade, artist meet-and-greets, and family-friendly activities.

Pittsburgh Shows Off New Public Art Projects in Advance of NFL Draft

Pittsburgh has unveiled over 35 new public art installations across its downtown area in preparation for the influx of visitors for the NFL Draft. The projects, funded by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, include light installations, murals, and window displays by local artists, designed to revitalize empty storefronts and underused blocks.

New Gallery Exhibit at CU Anschutz Honors Son's Legacy

A new photo exhibition and speaker series titled "Love, Anything: 28 Expressions for 28 Luminous Years" has opened at the Fulginiti Pavilion for Bioethics and Humanities on the University of Colorado Anschutz campus. The show features 28 photographs and journal entries by the late photographer Ryyan Chacra, who died by suicide in May 2024 at age 28 while struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The opening reception on April 10 drew over 120 attendees, including family, friends, and university faculty.

Hanover Creative, new gallery in Trenton, shows striking works by five textile artists

A new gallery called Hanover Creative has opened in Trenton, New Jersey, with its debut exhibition "Fiber Politic." The show, curated by Áine Mickey, features the work of five textile artists, including Patricia Dahlman and the artist known as Woolpunk, and runs from March 21 to April 25. The gallery represents a significant step for Trenton's art scene, which has historically lacked independent exhibition spaces for its many talented artists.

Rebirth art exhibition celebrates spring and new beginnings

Heart Café and Church in Liverpool is hosting an art exhibition titled 'Rebirth' until May 3rd. Curated by café employee Emily Blackmore, the show features 25 works by 21 local artists, interpreting themes of spring and new beginnings. It opened on Good Friday to align with ideas of spiritual transformation.

From the World Cup and the Olympics to two new museums: upcoming cultural attractions in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is preparing for a major influx of cultural and sporting events, including hosting matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium and the 2028 Summer Olympics. The city is also enhancing its cultural infrastructure with new Metro stations featuring site-specific art commissions and the imminent openings of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA.

[ANN] Kuala Lumpur looks set to enter its 'museum moment' this year

Kuala Lumpur is experiencing a wave of new museum and gallery openings in 2025, marking a significant cultural expansion for the Malaysian capital. Key developments include the Merdeka Textile Museum, set to open in August within the Merdeka 118 tower and billed as Asia's first state-of-the-art textile museum; Muara Arts, a public gallery project by Creador Foundation opening in September in the historic Medan Pasar district; and recent openings such as the heritage building Seri Negara and restored gallery spaces at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad. These join earlier private collector-led spaces like Ur-Mu (2022), Toffee (2023), and +N (2025), as well as the established Ilham Gallery (2015).