Thomas Hart Benton, Jessie Wlicox Smith announced for shows at Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, co-founded by filmmaker George Lucas and businesswoman Mellody Hobson, has announced its inaugural exhibitions. The ambitious survey will feature over 1,200 works from a founding collection of more than 40,000 objects, including pieces by Thomas Hart Benton and Jessie Wilcox Smith. The museum is housed in a 300,000-square-foot building designed by Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec.

Vietnam to Debut at 2026 Venice Biennale

Vietnam will make its historic debut at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026 with its first-ever national pavilion titled “Viet Nam: Art in the Global Flow.” Located at the Ca’ Giustinian Faccanon palace and curated by Đỗ Tường Linh, the exhibition will feature works by ten contemporary artists, including a major immersive installation by Lê Hữu Hiếu. Hiếu’s contribution, titled "Tằm" (Silkworm), utilizes traditional materials like lacquer and jackfruit wood alongside live silkworms to explore themes of metamorphosis and memory.

OPINION: How the biennial staff and faculty exhibition benefits art students

Western Washington University's Western Gallery is hosting its biennial faculty and staff exhibition, featuring 20 artists from the art department. The show includes diverse works such as interactive sensory pieces, weavings, and photographic rings, offering students a rare glimpse into their professors' professional art practices outside the classroom. Students like printmaker Myrie Murphy and faculty such as fiber professor Seiko Purdue emphasize how the exhibition demystifies the art world and humanizes instructors as practicing artists.

First Friday Art Walk showcases student exhibitions

The May First Friday Art Walk in downtown Springfield features student exhibitions from Drury University, Missouri State University, and Ozarks Technical Community College, alongside Route 66-themed shows. Seventeen venues participate in the self-guided tour, with college artists displaying work at four locations, including the Robert & Margaret Carolla Arts Exhibition Center, Brick City Gallery, the Pool Arts Center, and Ozarks Technical Community College's Art and Design Department. The Route 66 Centennial Traveling Exhibit, created by documentary filmmaker Katrina Parks, is on display at the Historic Gillioz Theatre, and photographers Vance Clark and Andrew Mann present their 'Unique Lens' exhibit at the Park Central Branch Library.

Art in the Berkshires Opens Gallery, Creative Studio

Art in the Berkshires, an online hub for visual arts in Berkshire County, is opening its first physical gallery and creative studio at 8 Castle Street in downtown Great Barrington, Massachusetts this spring. The space will showcase regional artists, artisans, and makers, featuring fine art, functional art, and curated artisanal goods, while also hosting workshops, artist talks, demonstrations, readings, and performances. The inaugural exhibition, "The Berkshires Now," includes work from over thirty Berkshire-based and regional artists across disciplines such as painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, and functional objects. A grand opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, from 4–6 PM, preceded by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:45 PM.

Old Town Arts & Crafts Guild Presents Art at Dart’s

The Old Town Arts & Crafts Guild, a nonprofit organization, is hosting an Artist's Showcase at Dart's Barn in Southold, New York, on May 2nd and 3rd from 9 AM to 4 PM. The event will feature fine art, photography, handcrafted items, and works by Carolyn M. Bell and the Peconic Impressionists, with free admission and light refreshments.

In Piazza Navona the École française de Rome opens a space for exhibitions (all will be free admission)

A Piazza Navona l’École française de Rome apre uno spazio per le mostre (saranno tutte ad accesso gratuito)

The École française de Rome, founded in 1875 and housed at Palazzo Farnese, has opened a permanent exhibition space at Piazza Navona 62 in Rome. A current exhibition running until April 30, 2026, traces the institute's 150-year history of historical, archaeological, and social science research, highlighting its Italian and Mediterranean focus and the collaborative spirit between France and Italy. The new gallery will host a regular program of free-admission exhibitions and events dedicated to cultural heritage, archaeology, and history, starting with the show "Isole e santi – Monasteri e santuari dell’Adriatico orientale, da san Girolamo a Gregorio VII" from May 27, 2026.

A free campsite for students at Design Week. IED sets it up at the Ex Macello in Milan

Un campeggio gratuito per studenti alla Design Week. Lo allestisce IED all’Ex Macello di Milano

IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) and the Fondazione Francesco Morelli have set up a free urban campsite, The Glitch Camp, at the Ex Macello in Milan to host 300 international design students during Milan Design Week. The camp, created in partnership with IKEA, provides accommodation, communal spaces, workshops, and social events, aiming to make the prestigious event more accessible.

Discover 20th‑century Paris by night in a free photo exhibition at the Roger-Viollet Gallery

The Roger-Viollet Gallery in Paris is hosting a free photography exhibition titled "Paris, Open All Night" ("Paris, ouvert la nuit") from June 11 to October 3, 2026. The show features 70 photographs taken between 1900 and 1970, capturing the city's nocturnal life—from cabarets and street vendors to neon signs and holiday celebrations.

New Austin museum exhibit tells stories of 27 festivals across Texas

The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin has opened a new exhibition called "Texas Festivals," running through September 27. The show features artifacts from 27 festivals across the state, including a gown from Fiesta San Antonio, a sand sculpture from Sandfest in Port Aransas, an art car honoring Stevie Ray Vaughan from Houston's Art Car Parade, and mascots from the Texas Onion Fest, Hogeye Festival, and Texas State Forest Festival. The exhibition is divided into three sections exploring how festivals create community, and includes a short documentary, interactive activities, and a talk with historian Dr. Michaele Thurgood Haynes on May 3.

Lights, Funding, Action – Film Grant Open Call

The Sharjah Art Foundation has launched the ninth cycle of its Short Film Production Grant 2026, issuing an open call for applications from filmmakers worldwide. The grant provides financial support, with a total fund of AED 120,000 (approx. USD 30,000), for the completion of short films of 50 minutes or less across all genres. Selected projects may also premiere at a future edition of the Sharjah Film Platform festival.

New art exhibition in Orange County spotlights self-taught artist Robert Rell

Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs is launching "Standing Firm," a solo exhibition by self-taught artist Robert Rell at the Orange County Multicultural Center. The collection showcases Rell’s unique visual language, which evolved from childhood sketches of comic characters to the bold, expressive influence of urban graffiti. The exhibition opens with a public reception on April 15 and runs through mid-May.

Exhibits on display at BIG ARTS

BIG ARTS on Sanibel Island is hosting two exhibitions: "Art as Therapy" in the Dunham Family Gallery through June 8, and the "Annual Artists Collective" in the Mezzanine Gallery through May 31. "Art as Therapy" is a collaboration between Hope Healthcare’s Art Therapy Program and Lee Health’s Arts in Healthcare Program, showcasing works that explore personal journeys through grief, illness, and recovery. The "Annual Artists Collective" features work from the artist-instructors who lead BIG ARTS workshops and classes, highlighting their diverse mediums and creative skills.

Celebrate art at a free community-wide event

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) is hosting Gallery Night, a free community-wide event on May 8 from 5-9 p.m., featuring over 70 venues across the greater Madison area. The event includes exhibitions, performances, artist talks, live music, and art-making demonstrations, with an afterparty at the museum's rooftop lounge from 5-10 p.m. Gallery Night has been a Madison tradition since 1988, launched by a group of volunteers.

Wild Art Exhibition to showcase local creativity at Peterborough’s Railworld Wildlife Haven

A new community-led exhibition called Wild Art Exhibition 2026 will take place at Railworld Wildlife Haven in Peterborough from May 24 to 31. Organized by Community Clickers, Peterborough Together Project, and Peterborough Embroidery Society in collaboration with the venue, the show features work from local amateur artists, photographers, and makers, all inspired by the theme of nature and wildlife. The exhibition will open with a car show on May 24, presented with support from Abandoned City Camo Crew, blending art and automotive culture.

Pewter from the middle ages to art nouveau

Berlin's Kunstgewerbemuseum presents a special exhibition at Schloss Köpenick titled "Pewter from the Middle Ages to Art Nouveau," featuring around 100 works that trace the evolution of pewter from sacred and ceremonial objects to everyday items. The exhibition highlights the material's sophisticated use in furniture-making, including pieces by 17th-century cabinetmaker Johann Daniel Sommer, who combined pewter with tortoiseshell and horn using boulle technique.

Exhibit reimagines the work of W.E.B. Du Bois

An exhibit at the African Diaspora Art Museum pairs the original sociological work of W.E.B. Du Bois with contemporary photographs of Black Atlantans, reimagining his early 20th-century data visualizations and writings through a modern lens. The show juxtaposes Du Bois's pioneering studies on Black life in America with current imagery, creating a dialogue between past and present.

A Village Becomes a Gallery – Mountshannon Arts Festival

The Mountshannon Arts Festival transforms the Irish village of Mountshannon into an open-air gallery, featuring artworks displayed throughout public spaces, homes, and businesses. The festival brings together local and international artists, turning the entire village into a curated exhibition space for the duration of the event.

‘Wild Life’ and May Show Opening Reception

The McLean Art Gallery is hosting an opening reception on May 1 for its May show and a special exhibit titled 'Wild Life,' presented by the local nonprofit McLean Art Society. The exhibit runs from May 1–31 and features over 200 new works in various media including oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, mixed media, drawing, photography, sculpture, wood, glass, ceramics, and jewelry, exploring diverse interpretations of the theme beyond just animals.

From Hand to Heirloom: Orillia museum unveils new exhibition

The Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH) has opened a new exhibition titled 'From Hand to Heirloom: The Art of Craft.' The show features historical and contemporary craft objects like quilts, embroidery, and beadwork, highlighting their personal, cultural, and intergenerational significance. It includes works by local and Indigenous makers and aims to reframe craft as a vital form of artistic expression.

Maker House’s “In the Making” Gallery Opening

Maker House, a nonprofit ceramic arts studio, is hosting a spring student gallery exhibition titled "In the Making" from April 17 to May 17. The show features work from students of all levels, highlighting techniques like hand-building, wheel throwing, and sculpture, with select pieces available for purchase. A special reception on April 26 will allow the public to meet staff and students.

‘Northwest Expressions’ call for art is open

Northwind Art has launched a call for entries for its upcoming juried exhibition, "Northwest Expressions," scheduled to run from June 25 through August 10 at the Jeanette Best Gallery in Port Townsend. Open to artists aged 16 and older residing in Washington and Oregon, the showcase accepts a wide range of media including painting, jewelry, sculpture, and photography. The submission deadline is May 29, with artist and educator Anne Pfeiffer serving as the 2026 juror.

How the Arts Club of Chicago Stays Contemporary in its Second Century

The Arts Club of Chicago, founded in 1916, continues to balance its historic legacy with contemporary relevance under executive director and chief curator Janine Mileaf. The club, which gave Pablo Picasso his first solo institutional exhibition in the U.S. in 1923 and hosted figures like Gertrude Stein and John Cage, now operates as both a public space and a private membership club. Mileaf’s programming emphasizes Dada and surrealist roots while showcasing experimental, site-specific works, including a recent installation by Korean artist Haegue Yang. The club maintains a close relationship with Chicago’s arts community, aiming to expose audiences to challenging and surprising art.

Pussy Riot Storms Russia Pavilion at Venice Biennale

Pussy Riot staged a dramatic protest at the Russia Pavilion during the Venice Biennale, releasing pink smoke and waving Ukrainian flags while chanting slogans like 'Blood is Russia’s art.' Around 50 protesters, including members of Femen, occupied the area. Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova called for the pavilion to be closed and given to oppressed peoples, challenging Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco to meet her. The protest lasted about 20 minutes, with performers climbing the pavilion and exposing political slogans on their chests.

The Greenport Group: Vintage art at Floyd Memorial Library’s new exhibition

The Floyd Memorial Library in Greenport, New York, has opened a new exhibition titled "Stow Wengenroth + The Flacks: The Greenport Group," featuring works by lithographer Stow Wengenroth, his wife Edith Flack Ackley, and her sister Marjorie Flack. The show includes Wengenroth's lithographs, watercolors, and drawings, alongside Ackley's handmade dolls and books, and Flack's children's books, many on loan from the private collection of Joanna Lane. The exhibition opened on April 24 and highlights the artistic legacy of these former Greenport residents.

Miet Warlop on Representing Belgium at the 61st Venice Biennale

Miet Warlop, the artist representing Belgium at the 61st Venice Biennale (2026), discusses her plans for the Belgian Pavilion in the Giardini in an interview with ArtReview. Her installation, inspired by the Belgian motto 'L'union fait la force' ('unity makes strength'), aims to create a space between a workspace, exhibition, and performance that brings people together in introspection. She cites time spent with Venice's artistic communities, including students at the Accademia, as influential, and notes that her work engages with the Biennale's theme 'In Minor Keys' by incorporating minor-key music to evoke nuanced, introspective emotions.

During the Venice Biennale there is also the Ibiza Pavilion, inside a takeaway pizzeria

Durante la Biennale di Venezia c’è anche il Padiglione Ibiza, dentro una pizzeria da asporto

During the Venice Art Biennale, an independent project called the Ibiza Pavilion opens from May 7 to 9, 2026, inside Pizza al Volo, a popular takeaway pizzeria in Campo Santa Margherita, Dorsoduro. Conceived and curated by Margherita Chiarva with support from Victoria Genzini and Gabriele Della Maddalena, the three-day initiative features a group exhibition, performances, collective embroidery, tarot readings, and somatic practices by international artists connected to Ibiza through experience or collaboration, including Noemi Manser, Beatrice Dettori, Liz Kueneke, COSIMA, and Maria Giulia Alvigini.

Arthur Jafa: ‘America has always been a demonic state. And we love it’

The article covers the exhibition "Helter Skelter: Richard Prince and Arthur Jafa" at the Prada Foundation’s Ca’ Corner della Regina in Venice, curated by Nancy Spector. It brings together over 50 works by Prince and Jafa in a call-and-response format, exploring themes of appropriation, race, violence, and American identity. The show pairs Prince’s iconic rephotographed images and Jafa’s video work "Love Is The Message, The Message is Death" (2016) with new and existing pieces, including Jafa’s "Big Wheel II" and Prince’s "Blasting Mats."

‘Broadening access to contemporary art’: The best art-inspired stays in Europe

A Euronews Travel article highlights several European hotels that integrate contemporary art into the guest experience, positioning themselves as destinations for cultured travelers. Featured properties include the MACAM Hotel in Lisbon, which opened in March 2025 and shares a building with the Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins, offering guests access to a private collection spanning Portuguese and international art from the 19th century to the present. Other hotels mentioned are the Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amistà in Verona, blending Renaissance architecture with avant-garde works by artists like Andy Warhol, and the Elizabeth Arthotel in Ischgl, Austria, which has showcased art and sculpture since 1976 and recently added a rooftop commission by the artist duo NONOS.

PRESS RELEASE: OCU art exhibit makes use of ‘digital debris’

Oklahoma City University (OCU) is hosting an art exhibition that incorporates 'digital debris'—discarded or obsolete digital materials—into its works. The show features pieces created by artists who repurpose e-waste, old screens, and other technological remnants to explore themes of consumption, memory, and the environmental impact of digital culture.