Jazz in the Park, exhibits, events and more: THE DIGEST

A series of local cultural events in Staunton, Virginia, are announced for July and August 2025. Highlights include the unveiling of ten Black Historical Markers at Montgomery Hall Park on July 11, a solo exhibition of mosaic collages by artist Deborah O’Keeffe at the Staunton Augusta Art Center from July 11 through August 10, and the 37th annual Jazz in the Park summer concert series starting July 10 at Gypsy Hill Park. Additional events include the National Trappers Association Convention and a free healthcare clinic by Remote Area Medical.

State Museum Announces Finalists for 58th Annual “Art of the State” Exhibition

The State Museum of Pennsylvania has announced the finalists for the 58th annual "Art of the State" exhibition, featuring 96 artists from over 30 counties across the Commonwealth. Selected from 2,344 entries submitted by 696 artists, the finalists' works span five categories: paintings, photography/digital media, crafts, sculptures, and works on paper. A panel of selection jurors—Brenton Good, Shin-hee Chin, and Lauren Whearty—chose the finalists, while awards juror Denise Ryner will determine first, second, and third place winners in each category. Cash prizes totaling $5,300 will be awarded, including the Art Docents’ Choice Award. The exhibition opens June 8, 2025, with free admission on opening day, and runs through September 14, 2025.

Before SoHo, This Building Was at the Heart of New York’s Arts District

A West Side co-op building originally built for artists and later converted into offices is being transformed into a luxury condominium called Parc Beaufort. The building, located in a historic New York arts district, once housed a vibrant community of creatives before commercial use took over.

Racine Art Museum PEEPS art exhibition winners announced; show runs through April 18

The Racine Art Museum has announced the winners of its annual PEEPS art exhibition, a community-focused event where artists create works using the iconic marshmallow candy. The exhibition, which features these whimsical, edible-art entries, is now open to the public and will run through April 18.

How Do You Curate an Exhibition on Genocide? Faisal Saleh and the Palestinian Question That Crosses the Venice Biennale

“Come si cura una mostra sul genocidio?”: Faisal Saleh e la domanda palestinese che attraversa la Biennale di Venezia

At the 2026 Venice Biennale, a collateral exhibition titled “Gaza – No Words – See the Exhibit” presents 100 embroidered works using the traditional Palestinian technique of Tatreez. Curated by artist Faisal Saleh, founder of the Palestine Museum US, the show transforms embroidery from decoration into political testimony, reconstructing scenes from Gaza over the past two and a half years: shrouded bodies, killed children, mothers bidding farewell, bombed hospitals. The exhibition is housed at Palazzo Mora and has been called by many visitors “the real Palestinian Pavilion” of the Biennale, though it is not an official national pavilion.

1990s pop icon Jewel is the protagonist in Venice with an exhibition that rewrites the geographies of the feminine

L’icona pop Anni ‘90 Jewel è protagonista a Venezia con una mostra che riscrive le geografie del femminile

Singer-songwriter Jewel, a 1990s pop icon with four Grammy nominations, is presenting her largest exhibition to date in Venice. Titled "Matriclysm: An Archaeology of Connections Lost," the immersive show runs from May 6 to November 22, 2026, at the Salone Verde, coinciding with the 2026 Venice Biennale. Curated by Joe Thompson, the exhibition blends painting, textiles, sculpture, sound, and installation to explore themes of femininity, motherhood, care, and intergenerational knowledge, drawing on forgotten rituals and marginalized mythologies.

Interior design in dialogue with natural elements: Fòco is the new project by Studiopepe and Archiproducts

Interior design che dialoga con gli elementi naturali. Si chiama Fòco il nuovo progetto di Studiopepe e Archiproducts

Archiproducts Milano has unveiled "FÒCO. Living notes by Studiopepe," the final chapter of a four-part curatorial series exploring natural elements. Located in the Via Tortona showroom, the project features over 50 invited brands integrated into twenty distinct environments unified by a warm, burnished color palette. Designed by Studiopepe’s Arianna Lelli Mami and Chiara Di Pinto, the installation moves beyond a literal interpretation of fire to explore its symbolic power as both a creative spark and a communal hearth.

Artist draws on experiences with alcoholism for new Arts Centre Washington exhibition

Artist Nat Hardy, a former social worker and self-taught multidisciplinary artist, has opened her solo exhibition "Nat Hardy: ISM – Art with Heart" at Arts Centre Washington. The exhibition draws on her personal experience with alcoholism and recovery through a 12-step program, featuring over 30 pieces including a central work titled "The Journey." Hardy won the 2024 Spotlight Washington Open Exhibition at ACW, earning this solo show as her prize.

Artist lays bare journey through alcoholism in 'powerful' North East show

Artist Nat Hardy's exhibition 'ISM – Art with Heart' has opened at Arts Centre Washington in northeast England, showcasing over 30 works inspired by her journey through alcoholism and recovery via the 12-step program. A former social worker and self-taught artist working in needle felting, textiles, watercolors, and pastels, Hardy won the 2024 Spotlight Washington Open Exhibition. Her pieces, such as 'The Journey,' use color and natural imagery to represent the emotional landscape of addiction and healing, with the show running until June 6.

Window to the past: Worcester history on show in Denholm installation

A new public art installation titled “Uniquely Worcester: Celebrating Worcester’s Past & Present” has opened in the windows of the Denholm Building in Worcester, Massachusetts. The exhibition features work from 10 local artists across eight front windows, highlighting the city’s history through themes such as sports, the arts, and notable figures like rocket pioneer Robert Goddard, Valentine card popularizer Esther Howland, and smiley face creator Harvey Ball. One window showcases Abu Mwenye’s vibrant paintings inspired by his Kenyan and Tanzanian heritage, while another displays musical instruments spanning 250 years, including a rope drum from the American Revolution and a guitar made at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The installation runs throughout 2026 and was organized by project manager Melissa Mattson.

Mirror Silk Art Exhibitions

Shaniqwa Jarvis's solo exhibition 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart' opens at Public Gallery in London on 30 April 2026, featuring twelve works across silk, mirrored surfaces, aluminum, and collage. The show includes suspended silk panels in front of mirrors, floral imagery, portraiture, abstract compositions, a moving image work combining archival footage and recorded audio, and a second book titled 'GUTS' published by Super Labo with an introduction by curator Essence Harden.

Solarium, a new plant shop and art gallery, to open at former Pittsfield Plant Connector location

Anastasia Drayton is transforming the former Pittsfield Plant Connector space at 46 West St. in Pittsfield into Solarium, a plant shop and art gallery slated to open in mid-September. Drayton, who previously ran a pop-up called Foraged and Found inside the Plant Connector, will offer plants, nature-based home decor, self-care products, and works from local artists. The center of the store will become the Atrium Gallery, curated by muralist Mike Carty, featuring local art and named in tribute to Carty's heart transplant. Drayton also plans to host workshops, educational seminars, and community events, building on the legacy of former owners Bonnie Marks and Emilee Yawn.

Eye on Art: Art abounds with spring flowers around the region

The article highlights two spring-themed art events in the region. In Fitchburg, the 2026 Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature, Culture & History offers free public events throughout May, including a Henry David Thoreau reading, a community vigil, and a drumming workshop at the Fitchburg Art Museum. In Lowell, the Loading Dock Gallery presents "Full Bloom 8," a members' exhibition celebrating flowers, birds, insects, and gardens, running through May 31 with a reception on May 2.

Tatiana Malinovscaia | 130x100cm-Blue Distance in Quiet Light (2026) | For Sale

Tatiana Malinovscaia's painting "Blue Distance in Quiet Light" (2026) is being offered for sale by Artseeker Gallery. The 100x130 cm acrylic on canvas work features a restrained abstract composition with muted blues, ivories, beiges, and charcoals, built through layered textures and tonal contrasts. Malinovscaia, a self-taught Moldovan artist, explores the interplay between architectural clarity and atmospheric abstraction, with light acting as a central structural element that reveals nuanced variations across the textured surface throughout the day.

The Etruscans Take Center Stage With the Legion of Honor’s Latest Exhibit

The Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco has opened a new exhibition titled “The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy,” running from May 2 to September 20. Curated by Renée Dreyfus, the show features over 20 objects from international institutions including the Vatican, the Louvre, and the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia, highlighting the art, culture, and progressive social roles of women in Etruscan society through bronze and terracotta vessels, sculptures, and gold jewelry.

More Than 100 PPS Student Art Pieces Are on Display at the Portland Art Museum This Summer

The Portland Art Museum is hosting the "HeART of Portland" exhibition, featuring over 100 artworks created by students from all 81 Portland Public Schools. The showcase includes a diverse range of media, from ceramics and rug tufting to screen-printed apparel and zines, and for the first time, the student work is being displayed in a professional gallery space within the museum's main building. The exhibition, which opened on Tax Day, serves as a tangible demonstration of the results of the city's unique arts tax.

Photo gallery: Arts Commission showcases new space

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo has officially unveiled its new headquarters and community art space. The move marks a significant transition for the organization, providing a modernized environment to host local exhibitions, administrative operations, and public programming in the heart of the city.

Racine Art Museum to host 17th annual PEEPS exhibition in April

The Racine Art Museum (RAM) in Wisconsin is preparing to launch its 17th annual PEEPS exhibition on April 1, 2026. This quirky community-driven show invites artists of all ages to create dioramas, sculptures, and paintings using or depicting the iconic marshmallow candies. To accommodate growing interest, the museum is moving the exhibition to its larger first-floor gallery and will feature a special installation by Chicago-based artist Andrea Jablonski.

Power to the people: London’s National Gallery seeks public panel to help shape its future

London's National Gallery is launching NG Citizens, a citizens' assembly that will advise the museum on its future policy and direction. Starting next month, 15,000 households across the UK will receive invitations, from which 50 participants will be selected via a civic lottery, eventually narrowing to 20 individuals who will serve on the panel for five years. The gallery states the initiative places audiences at the heart of decision-making, aiming to shape programs around the needs of diverse UK communities, though the assembly will not directly choose exhibitions or acquisitions but will produce recommendations on purpose, priorities, and public value.

[Century Highlights] The Formosa Era Exhibition at Tainan Art Museum – A Journey Through 100 Years of Modern Taiwanese Art

The Tainan Art Museum has opened "The Formosa Era – The Enlightenment of Modern and Contemporary Taiwanese Art," a major exhibition spanning a century of Taiwanese art history. Featuring national treasures and significant works by artists such as Chen Cheng-po, Huang Tu-shui, and Chang Dai-chien, the show is organized into eight thematic sections that trace Taiwan's artistic evolution from the Dutch colonial period through Japanese rule to the post-war era. Highlights include an immersive audio-visual installation that transforms iconic paintings into panoramic, interactive experiences using high-resolution projections and motion sensors.

Raven’s Heart Gallery Summer Show Brings Live Art and Community to Kanab

Raven’s Heart Gallery in Kanab, Utah, will host its Summer Show on June 13, 2026, from 1–4 PM at 57 W. Center St. The free, interactive event features live art-making demonstrations by a roster of Southern Utah artists, including Gail Alger (acrylic animal painting), Angela Woods (oil painting), Rebekka Anderson (color reduction linocut printmaking), Ken Ragsdale (basket illusion technique on wood), David Lane (astrophotography), James Mosdell (lapidary work with Grand Canyon Opal), Ellie Mae Clough (mixed media on encaustic wax), and Gary Kalpakoff (wild mustang photography and metal sculpture). The signature artwork is Gail Alger's 'Raven in Flowers,' and large-scale oil paintings from Cyrus Mejía's 'The Vicktory Dog' and 'Mill Dogs Revenge' collections will also be on view. The gallery, home to more than 30 regional artists, will transform into a working studio with easels, paints, cameras, lapidary equipment, and printmaking presses.

Shaohua Nong | Shaohua Nong Animal Original Oil On Canvas "Twain II… (2015) | For Sale

Chinese artist Shaohua Nong (b. 1960, Linfen, Shanxi) is offering an original oil on canvas titled "Twain II" (2015) for sale at US$1,300 through the gallery Sojourner in New York. The 25 × 37 inch painting is hand-signed, includes a certificate of authenticity, and is listed on Artsy with a money-back and authenticity guarantee. Nong, a member of the Shanxi Branch of Chinese Artists Association, has exhibited widely in China and internationally, including at Hong Kong ART CENTRAL Art Fair, Shangshang Art Museum in Beijing, and the Nanjing International Art Exhibition.

Renowned Victoria artist hosts exhibition with proceeds going to 10 local charities

Renowned Victoria artist and philanthropist Tanya Bub is presenting a new exhibition titled "Wild Art for the Big of Heart" at the Gage Gallery in Victoria’s Bastion Square from May 12th to 31st. The show features dozens of sculptural works made from driftwood, wire, and paper, with prices ranging from $30 to $8,000. Twenty-five percent of all sales will go to the charity of the buyer’s choice, with 10 local charities benefiting, including Broken Promises Rescue, Elder Carl Olsen — Goldstream / SELE₭TEȽ Watershed, CNIB Victoria, Georgia Strait Alliance, Mustard Seed, Rainbow Haven, Soap for Hope, The Thinking Garden, Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association, and Voices in Motion. The exhibition also includes three weeks of talks, performances, and interactive events in partnership with the charities.

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.

Calling all creatives: Evolved Gallery opens submissions for seven deadly sins exhibit

Evolved Gallery in Ventura, California, has announced an open call for its upcoming exhibition titled "SE7EN," themed around the seven deadly sins. Founded by Christina Van Ryzin in late 2025, the gallery is seeking traditional and digital paintings or illustrations that explore these vices through modern social or political lenses. The submission deadline is April 15, with the exhibition scheduled to run from April 25 through June 28, 2024.

Art for a Cause: SoHo Galleries Auction Benefits Kids with Cancer

Adele Aguirre, the founder of SoHo Galleries in Mérida, is hosting a one-night charity auction featuring over 30 artworks from her personal collection. The event, scheduled for April 23, 2026, includes pieces sourced from Mexico, Cuba, France, the United States, and India. Proceeds from the auction will benefit AMANC Yucatán, a nonprofit organization that provides essential support—including lodging, meals, and medication—to children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment in the region.

Victoria artist organizes exhibition to benefit lesser-known charities

Victoria artist Tanya Bub is organizing a benefit exhibition titled "Wild Art for the Big of Heart" at the Victoria Gage Gallery from May 12 to 31, 2026. The show features 10 sculptures or installations, each representing a different local charity focused on people in need, animals, and the environment. Buyers can choose which charity receives 25% of the purchase price. Bub, who has been making art in Victoria since 2019, aims to highlight lesser-known organizations like Soap for Hope, and participating charities will host public events such as film screenings and talks.

Ole Scheeren’s Róng Museum: From Tech‑City to Cultural Capital

German architect Ole Scheeren is designing the Róng Museum of Art, a beehive-like cultural complex set to open in 2027 in Shenzhen's Houhai Hybrid Campus. The museum represents his latest major architectural project in China, following his iconic work on Beijing's CCTV headquarters and other landmark structures across Asia.

Henryk Ptasiewicz, His Life, His Art

Henryk Ptasiewicz, a British-born artist who became a fixture of the St. Louis art scene, died on October 22, 2025. He moved to St. Louis in 1999, built a practice through commissions and teaching, and in 2014 was invited to paint fiberglass cake sculptures for the city's 250th birthday, featuring figures like Dred Scott and Vincent Price. He was also a founding member of the Missouri Plein Air Painters and a frequent winner on the regional plein air competition circuit.

Beyond the body: Jess Self’s emotive power at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art

Jess Self, a Decatur-based sculptor and educator, presents *Celestial Perspectives* at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, an immersive textile environment that explores autobiography through figurative form. The exhibition features works in resin, plaster, felted wool, fiber, and rope, including the large-scale installation *The Veil* and the compelling *She Who Ties Magic Knots*, a resin and plaster cast of the artist's pregnant torso. Self's practice draws on Jungian archetypes and spiritual traditions, and the show communicates themes of connectivity, motherhood, bodily experience, and transcendence without relying on wall text.