Student artwork sells for record $525K at RodeoHouston School Art Auction

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Auction set new records at its 2026 event, with student artworks attracting unprecedented bids from donor groups. The grand champion piece, a painting titled 'Between Boots and Moccasins' by Pasadena Memorial High School senior Joshua Washington, sold for a record $525,000, nearly doubling the previous year's top sale. The auction, held at NRG Arena, showcases artwork selected from a statewide competition involving over 200,000 students, highlighting the program's scale and impact on young Texas artists.

This Chelsea gallery will feature art from students as young as 6

Gallery 100 in Chelsea, Michigan, will host The Creative Corner Collection, an exhibition of children's artwork from the Manitou Beach Creative Corner's camps and workshops, running from April 27 through May 8. The show features work by students ages 6 to 15, with an opening reception on May 3 featuring violinists from the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Gallery 100 takes no commission on sales, so all proceeds go directly to the young artists.

Mooresville Arts announces winners of 48th SpringFest Judged Show & Competition

Mooresville Arts has revealed the winners of its 48th annual SpringFest Judged Show & Competition, featuring 123 works by 66 regional artists. Tina Vincent of Charlotte secured first place for her collage titled "Black Tea," while Vanessa Thorman and Chelsea Demarest took second and third place, respectively. The exhibition, judged by Shain Gallery owner Sybil Wornall, showcases a diverse range of media including pottery, watercolor, and oil paintings.

Artificial Intelligence as an Uncanny Machine is on Display in a Florence Air-Raid Shelter

L’intelligenza artificiale come macchina perturbante è in mostra in un rifugio antiaereo di Firenze

Artist and philosopher Francesco D’Isa presents "Latent Rooms" at Rifugio Digitale, a gallery located within a former air-raid shelter in Florence. The exhibition features video works created using generative AI models like Midjourney and Seedance 2.0, which D’Isa manipulates to create dreamlike, glitch-heavy sequences. Rather than aiming for cinematic realism, the artist embraces the technical errors and "hallucinations" of the AI, resulting in an aesthetic that blends Renaissance beauty with haunting, domestic melancholy.

A library of sensations in Rome in the exhibition of Gabriele Simei: The interview

Una biblioteca di sensazioni a Roma nella mostra di Gabriele Simei. L’intervista

Artist Gabriele Simei has transformed the VOLUME! art space in Rome into an immersive installation titled "LABiblioteca Sottotevere." Curated by Silvano Manganaro, the exhibition features metal sculptures shaped like books, alongside found objects such as old lace, blankets, and tools. Simei uses acid to etch the textures of leaves gathered from the banks of the Tiber River and vintage textiles onto iron and brass plates, creating a "library of sensations" that bridges the gap between nature and domestic memory.

A taster of the British Museum's Hawaii show in three objects

The British Museum in London is opening a major exhibition titled 'Hawai‘i: a Kingdom Crossing Oceans' (15 January–25 May), accompanied by a catalogue featuring over 150 works from ancient Hawaiian treasures to contemporary pieces. The show explores the historical and cultural ties between Hawaii and the UK, highlighting objects such as an 18th-century feather cloak gifted to a British captain, portraits of King Kamehameha II and Queen Kamāmalu from their 1824 London visit, and a crested helmet. The catalogue includes an inventory of the entire Native Hawaiian collection at the British Museum, the largest outside Hawaii.

Native-owned gallery and retail store to open in Downtown Las Vegas Arts District

The nonprofit IndigenousAF, founded by artist Fawn Douglas and UNLV professor A.B. Wilkinson, announced plans to open a Native-owned retail store and gallery in Downtown Las Vegas Arts District. The venue will feature 700 square feet of retail space, 1,600 square feet of gallery space, and 1,500 square feet of mixed-use space, located near Charleston Boulevard and 3rd Street. The organization has already met one-third of its three-year fundraising goal, and the store, also named IndigenousAF, is expected to open in the first quarter of 2026. A pop-up sale previewing items will take place on Black Friday, November 28, at Nuwu Art Gallery.

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.

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.

Colour, movement and emotion: Fleetwood artist Kate Ferris presents fluid art exhibition

Artist Kate Ferris is presenting her solo exhibition "Flow & Form" from April 16 to May 3 at Tea Amantes – Tearoom & Gallery in Fleetwood. The show features her fluid art paintings, created using acrylic pour techniques that embrace unpredictability and spontaneity, alongside a selection of handmade jewelry.

Experience Art in Motion at the Lynnwood Event Center’s free ‘Meet the Artists’ Reception

The Lynnwood Event Center is hosting a free 'Meet the Artists' reception on April 14 to celebrate its current exhibition, "Flight Patterns: The Art & Motion of Winged Life." The event features a diverse range of works including painting, sculpture, and glass that explore themes of migration and transformation. Highlights include a live participatory installation by artist Alexandra Nason, where guests can decorate aluminum butterflies for a modular sculpture, and an educational presence by the conservation nonprofit Birds Connect Seattle.

Cactus Club 'In the Clouds' Artist Residency Applications Now Open

Cactus Plus, the nonprofit arm of Milwaukee’s Cactus Club, has opened applications for the second year of its "In the Clouds" artist residency. The program offers three selected artists—one virtual and two in-person—a $1,500 stipend to support their practice between June 22 and 26, 2026. Designed with a focus on accessibility, the residency specifically prioritizes disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill creators across all artistic mediums, requiring a community event and an artist talk rather than the production of new physical work.

Veteran artist transforms military burn pit trauma into art at TAMUCC exhibition

Air Force veteran and MFA candidate Ian Manseau has debuted his thesis exhibition, "Residue," at the Weil Gallery at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. The exhibition features 800 ceramic vessels infused with military uniforms and fired in a kiln, alongside prints made from charcoal and Combat Paper. The works utilize reduction firing and recycled materials to visualize the toxic legacy of military burn pits, which have been linked to severe respiratory illnesses and cancers in service members.

Orange Community Art Guild keeps local art scene alive

The Orange Community Art Guild (OCAG), a nonprofit founded in October 2024 by Britt Samuels, has established a growing network for local artists in Old Towne Orange. By partnering with local businesses like Wine and Wax and Cafe Zocalo, the guild provides exhibition spaces for creators and reinvests its profits into community initiatives, including youth art workshops. Upcoming projects include a photography exhibition by Orlando Suero at Citrus City Grille and a book release event featuring Prince’s long-time art director, Steve Parke.

Spruill Center for the Arts to add 15 artist studios in Chamblee

The Spruill Center for the Arts is expanding its footprint by converting the former Chamblee City Hall into a new creative hub called Spruill Studios. Scheduled to open in June 2026, the 6,796-square-foot facility will house 15 affordable artist studios and a dedicated exhibition space. The project is the result of a strategic partnership with the City of Chamblee, which is leasing the 2002 building to the nonprofit for just $1 per year.

Sheboygan community art gallery opens new space showcasing local artists and outreach programs

Sheboygan Visual Artists (SVA) has officially opened a new permanent gallery and studio space in the South Pier neighborhood of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. After operating without a fixed location for 18 months, the nonprofit organization’s new facility features exhibition areas, five rentable artist studios, and a dedicated space for community-integrated projects. The opening marks a significant milestone for the 80-member collective, which has been a fixture of the local art scene since 2007.

Original Art Gallery showcases ARTSiE teaching artists

The Original Art Gallery in Evanston, Illinois, opened a new exhibition featuring seven teaching artists from ARTSiE, a local nonprofit that provides arts education to children and families. The show includes works in painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and drawing, and a portion of sales will be donated to ARTSiE. Gallery owner Russell Muits, who took over the space in August 2025, curated the exhibit as a celebration of artists who give back to their community.

I'm bringing my Bottoms exhibition to my home city

Sunderland-born artist photographer Dean Raymond Gooch is bringing his debut solo exhibition, "Bottoms," to his home city at the National Glass Centre's NGCA gallery. Opening January 31, the show features large photographic works, screenprints, and risograph prints that explore gay identity and communities through pop art, advertising, and fashion photography. Gooch, a recent University of Sunderland graduate and current MA student, was nominated for the New Blood Art - Emerging Art Prize 2025 and received The Lizzie Rowe Award. A second exhibition, "Smoke and Mirrors," opens simultaneously, featuring 15 contemporary artists who challenge traditional landscape representation through digital and mixed media.

News From Around the South Carolina Lowcountry

The Society of Bluffton Artists (SOBA) announces its "Large Art" exhibition, running from January 5 to February 2 at the SOBA Gallery in Old Town Bluffton, South Carolina. The show features oversized works by SOBA member artists, including vibrant abstracts, mixed media, and contemporary compositions. Proceeds from artwork sales and donations during the exhibition will support SOBA's fundraising efforts to secure a new, permanent home for the nonprofit organization.

Woman whose botched Jesus fresco became a viral sensation dies, aged 94

Cecilia Giménez Zueco, the Spanish woman whose botched 2012 restoration of a 19th-century fresco of Jesus Christ became a global internet sensation, has died at age 94. The fresco, *Ecce Homo* by Elias Garcia Martinez, was housed in the Sanctuary of Mercy Church near Zaragoza. Giménez's amateur repainting, which made the figure's head resemble a hairy monkey, earned the nickname "Monkey Christ" and spawned viral memes, including a Twitter account. Initially distraught by the backlash, she later saw the town of Borja benefit from a surge in tourism.

‘Out of the public eye’: Artists accuse University Unions of unprofessionalism and censorship

Artists participating in a 'Visual History of the Unions' exhibition at the University of Michigan's Michigan Union have accused the University Unions administration of unprofessional conduct and censorship. The show, a collaboration between the Inclusive History Project, the Arts Initiative, and University Unions, was originally planned to run from October 2025 to January 2026 in high-traffic areas, but was reduced to a six-week run in a small alcove. One artist, Toby Millman, created a quilt depicting a 2024 pro-Palestine protest, and after submitting it, she and others received vague emails about delays and stakeholder concerns, leading them to believe the work was being suppressed.

‘Out of the public eye’: Artists accuse University Unions of unprofessionalism and censorship

Artists participating in the “Visual History of the Unions” exhibition at the University of Michigan’s Michigan Union have accused University Unions leadership of unprofessional conduct and censorship after the show was significantly reduced in scope and moved to a low-traffic alcove. The exhibition, a collaboration between the Inclusive History Project, the Arts Initiative, and University Unions, originally planned to run from October 2025 to January 2026 in high-foot-traffic areas like the Willis Ward Lounge. After vague communications and delays, the show was shortened to November 6–December 17 and relocated to the small Opera Lounge. Artist Toby Millman, a U-M alum and lecturer, created a quilt depicting a 2024 TAHRIR Coalition protest calling for divestment from companies profiting from the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. She was warned the quilt might receive backlash, and later received cryptic emails from associate director Kaila Sell about delays and consultations with unnamed stakeholders, leading artists to believe the content was being censored.

Artist studios in Kyiv damaged by Russian drone strike for second time

A Russian drone strike on November 14 damaged the studios of Nahirna22, a collective of young artists based at the Kyiv Institute of Automation, for the second time in three months. The attack, which killed six people in Kyiv, shattered wooden windows and left studios covered in glass and rubble, though plastic windows installed after a previous strike in August survived. Co-founder Marta Nyrkova expressed uncertainty about whether the building can be repaired, while the collective plans a fundraising event and a sale of works in Berlin.

Utah Tech University’s Sears Art Museum celebrates 25 years of Dixie Watercolor Society

Utah Tech University's Sears Art Museum is presenting "The 25th Anniversary Dixie Watercolor Society Exhibition," a juried art show and sale featuring over 150 original watercolor paintings by members of the Dixie Watercolor Society. The exhibition opens with a free public reception on November 21, 2025, and runs through January 9, 2026, with all works available for purchase to support the society's educational programs. A concurrent exhibition, "Highlights from the Sears Art Museum Collection: Watercolors from the West," will be on view in the Eccles Grand Foyer.

Hyde Park youth artists show Promontory Point paintings in citywide exhibition

Hyde Park youth artists Via McEwen and Asha A. Edwards showcased their paintings at the annual Marwen Art Fair, held on October 17, 2025, at Marwen, a downtown Chicago nonprofit offering free art classes to low-income students. The exhibition featured over 400 works from more than 150 young artists. McEwen, a 16-year-old Jones College Prep student, displayed intimate scenes including a portrait with her girlfriend and a figure painting from a Marwen class. Edwards, 23, presented sunset depictions inspired by Promontory Point, reflecting her experiences in Hyde Park and Bronzeville.

New nonprofit arts exhibition space to open in downtown Ann Arbor

A new nonprofit arts exhibition space called CLUSTER Museum will open on October 3 at 307 N. Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor. Co-founded by Thea A. Eck, Kim Debord, and Chien-An Yuan, the venue will focus on contemporary literary and visual arts, with a mission to build community by providing a physical hub for local and emerging artists. Its inaugural exhibition, “The Dam Broke: A Portrait on Tyranny,” runs from October 3–25 and features works by ten artists exploring fascism and authoritarianism, along with workshops, readings, and performances. All participating artists and writers will receive a stipend, and no submission fees are charged.

New nonprofit arts exhibition space to open in downtown Ann Arbor

A new nonprofit arts exhibition space called CLUSTER Museum will open on October 3 at 307 N. Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor. Founded by Thea A. Eck, Kim Debord, and Chien-An Yuan, the space will focus on contemporary literary and visual arts, with an emphasis on showcasing local and mid-career artists. Its inaugural exhibition, “The Dam Broke: A Portrait on Tyranny,” runs from October 3–25 and includes works by ten artists, along with readings, workshops, and performances. All participating artists and writers will receive a stipend, and no submission fees are charged.

How One Cooperative Champions the Quechua Weavers of Peru’s Sacred Valley

The nonprofit organization Awamaki was founded in 2009 to support Quechua communities in Peru's Sacred Valley, particularly women weavers, as they navigate economic shifts and climate change. It now assists nine cooperatives comprising 174 artisans, providing structural support for selling traditional textiles and coordinating tourism to generate income while preserving cultural practices.

Colossal Members Have Funded 100 Projects in K-12 Classrooms through DonorsChoose

Colossal has reached a significant milestone by funding 100 K-12 classroom projects across the United States through its partnership with the nonprofit DonorsChoose. Supported by a portion of Colossal Membership fees, the initiative has contributed over $13,000 to provide essential art supplies, sketchbooks, and equipment to students. The program places a special emphasis on supporting schools in Chicago, ensuring that young learners have the tools necessary for creative expression and artistic education.

Painterly Figures Entwine in Soojin Choi’s Ceramic Sculptures

Ceramic artist Soojin Choi creates intricate sculptures of entangled pairs, using stoneware slabs and nylon strands to achieve a precarious balance that minimizes contact with the ground. Her painterly background is evident in the gestural marks, visible brushstrokes, and drips on the white-slipped surfaces, with the artist describing her process as a "constant negotiation with gravity."