EU sanctions Mikhail Piotrovsky, director of the Hermitage

L’UE sanctionne Mikhaïl Piotrovski, directeur de l’Ermitage

The European Union has added Mikhail Piotrovsky, the 81-year-old director of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, to its sanctions list as part of the 20th package of measures against Russia. Brussels accuses him of publicly supporting the war in Ukraine and of conducting archaeological excavations by the museum in occupied Crimea. His assets in the EU are frozen and he is banned from entering European territory.

Accusé de viol, le directeur du Frac Bretagne est révoqué

The director of the Frac Bretagne (Regional Contemporary Art Fund of Brittany), Étienne Bernard, has been dismissed following an internal investigation into allegations of sexual violence. The case began in October 2025 when an anonymous testimony on the Instagram account #MeTooArtContemporain accused a former art professor of sexual assault; the post noted the accused had since become a Frac director. After graffiti appeared on the Frac Bretagne building, the institution hired the external consultancy Égaé to conduct an internal inquiry. Two reports submitted in February and April 2026 documented multiple serious allegations against Bernard, including harassment and assault. The board voted unanimously to revoke his position on May 4, 2026, and the public prosecutor's office in Rennes has opened a criminal investigation for moral harassment, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and aggravated rape. Bernard denies the allegations and has filed an appeal with the administrative court.

‘Light from the Inner Soul’ exhibition celebrates women’s unheard artistic voices in Cumilla

A three-day art exhibition titled “Light from the Inner Soul” is being held at Cumilla Shilpakala Auditorium in Bangladesh, showcasing paintings and handcrafted works by eight women with no formal art training. Organized by Jannatul Ferdous Twonni, the exhibition features a range of media including calligraphy, metal art, wax art, glass painting, canvas works, and AI-inspired pieces, with participants ranging from a 16-year-old to a 90-year-old woman.

Grind – Charity Skateboard Art Exhibition Ramps Up For Its Third Year In Loganholme

FIRST Disability Support & Training Service in Loganholme, Queensland, is hosting the third annual Grind skate deck art exhibition in July 2026, with over 100 entrants from across Australia. The exhibition features custom-designed skateboard decks by members of the public, school students, and people living with disabilities, under the theme 'Myths, Monsters & Mayhem'. Judges include skateboard deck artist Brett Clifton, Skate Advantage ambassador Matilda Wilson, and metalwork artist Colleen Lavender, with a live skate demonstration by professional skater Jesse Noonan.

Merritt Wins Best Of Show At Spring Juried Art Show

Wesley Dallas Merritt won Best of Show at the Lakeland Art Association's 22nd annual Spring Juried Art Show, held at the Lakeland Art Gallery in Warsaw, Indiana. The show featured 53 works by 19 artists from Fort Wayne, North Manchester, and surrounding counties, including paintings, photographs, metal sculptures, and ceramic works. Judge Andrew Tomasik, a Warsaw Community High School visual arts teacher, also awarded first place to Brenda Stichter, second place to Merritt, and third place to Sherri Johnson, along with six honorable mentions.

Furlong Gallery showcases student artists

Furlong Gallery, a venue associated with the University of Wisconsin–Stout, is currently hosting an exhibition that highlights the work of student artists. The show features a range of visual art created by emerging student talents, providing them with a platform to display their creations to the public and campus community.

Call for Applications: Reiwa 8 (2026) Overseas Training Program for Emerging Artists – Japanese Culture Promotion and Dissemination Project

公募｜令和8年度新進芸術家海外研修制度における「日本文化発信・普及事業」

Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunka-cho) is now accepting applications for the "Japanese Culture Promotion and Dissemination Project" under the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Overseas Training Program for Emerging Artists. This separate track supports established cultural figures, artists, and researchers—not just emerging artists—to conduct activities that promote and disseminate Japanese culture abroad. The program covers travel, accommodation, and activity costs up to 1.5 million yen, with派遣 periods ranging from 20 to 80 days between October 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027. Applications must be received by June 5, 2025, and results will be announced by early September.

Venice Biennale: Is art ever separate from politics?

The article, published by DW, examines the ongoing debate about the relationship between art and politics, using the Venice Biennale as a case study. It highlights how the 2024 edition of the Biennale has become a platform for political statements, particularly regarding Russia's exclusion from the event following its invasion of Ukraine, and the broader question of whether cultural institutions can remain neutral in times of geopolitical conflict.

The Baum School of Art hosts 41st Annual Art Auction during its centennial year

The Baum School of Art in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is hosting its 41st Annual Art Auction during the institution's centennial year. The event features a curated selection of artworks donated by regional and national artists, with proceeds supporting the school's educational programs and scholarships.

Two new exhibits opening today at Wailoa Center

Two new exhibitions open today at Wailoa Center in Hilo, Hawaii. The first, “MidSummer Art Celebration,” is an annual multimedia juried exhibition featuring 89 works by 67 Hawaii artists, selected by Hawaii Community College professor Meidor Hu. The second, “Our Light,” is a traveling exhibit by Hawaii Island artist Adare that uses fire, soot, and paint to create ethereal portraits exploring gender diversity, indigenous multiple-gender cultures, and resilience. An opening reception runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with live music, and both shows continue through June 18.

'Amerika Samoa' exhibit at Field Museum meant to highlight Samoan community in Chicago, introduce art, culture

The Field Museum in Chicago has opened 'Amerika Samoa,' an exhibition curated by Samoan artists to provide an authentic introduction to Samoan art and culture. The show highlights traditional practices such as tattooing and siapo (painted barkcloth), and features a collaborative barkcloth created during workshops with Chicago's Samoan community, museum staff, and master artists from American Samoa. The exhibition is located in the Halls of the Pacific and will run for two years.

Fei Tian College MFA Graduation Exhibition Blends Technical Excellence With Human Stories

Fei Tian College in Middletown, New York, opened its 2026 Fine Arts Exhibition on May 11, showcasing oil paintings and graphic design works by undergraduate and graduate students. The week-long show serves as the MFA in Oil Painting graduation showcase, featuring works that blend traditional techniques with personal themes such as innocence, spirituality, courage, compassion, and humanity. Faculty members curated the layout, but each graduate artist developed their own vision over a year-long creative process, with many spending at least a year on a single painting from concept to completion.

Old Town Cape accepting artists for 2026 Sculpture Exhibition

Old Town Cape is calling for artists to apply for the 2026 Downtown Sculpture Exhibition, a revamped public art program that will install six large-scale sculptures along Cape Girardeau's Broadway corridor from June 2026 to June 2027. The juried exhibition is open to local, regional, and national sculptors, with applications due by June 5. A kickoff event on June 27 at Historic Ivers Square will feature artist meet-and-greets, demonstrations, live music, and family activities.

Four Seniors Bring Four Years of Work to the Gallery

Four senior students at Latin School showcased six artworks each at the Senior Art Show on April 24, held in the second-floor gallery. The exhibition featured intricately crocheted animals, architectural structures, and photographs, representing the culmination of their high school visual arts careers. Students like Justin Canelo incorporated personal heritage and architectural interests, while Peyton Remmer explored self-portraiture and photography, supported by teachers Christine Holloway and Ian Merritt.

Comrades in Art: Artists Against Fascism review — eye-opening show sets the record straight

The article reviews the exhibition "Comrades in Art: Artists Against Fascism," which presents a historical survey of artists who actively resisted fascist regimes through their work. The show features a range of pieces from the early 20th century to the present, highlighting lesser-known figures and movements that opposed authoritarianism. It aims to correct oversimplified narratives about art and politics during periods of fascist rule.