Sarzana failed to become Capital of Culture 2028 but relaunches: 'The dossier will be implemented anyway'

Sarzana non è riuscita a diventare Capitale della Cultura 2028 ma rilancia: “Il dossier sarà realizzato ugualmente”

Sarzana, a city in Liguria, Italy, failed to win the title of Italian Capital of Culture for 2028, which was awarded to Ancona. However, instead of shelving its candidacy dossier, the city has decided to implement its strategic cultural plan, titled "L'Impavida," as its official cultural governance program for 2026-2028. The plan treats culture as a permanent infrastructure, integrating urban planning, tourism, welfare, and economic development, and was developed through a decade-long process involving co-design with associations and citizens.

The Animals We Are. The New Metamorphosis of the Apartment-Showroom Casaornella in Milan

Gli animali che siamo. La nuova metamorfosi dell’appartamento-showroom Casaornella a Milano

Interior designer Maria Vittoria Paggini has unveiled the 2026 edition of Casaornella, her apartment-showroom in Milan's Via Conca del Naviglio 10, during Design Week. Titled "L'animale sociale" (The Social Animal) with the subtitle "Nessuno mi può giudicare" (Nobody Can Judge Me), the space is completely restructured each year. For this edition, Paggini removed all doors to create a fluid, open-plan layout, using curtains for privacy. The project explores themes of authenticity and human relationships in the digital age, inspired by Italian pop songs from Mina to Luigi Tenco, which form the exhibition's soundtrack.

Cultural heritage reform. The 'Italia in scena' law gives some answers but raises many questions

Riforma dei beni culturali. La legge “Italia in scena” dà alcune risposte ma produce tante domande

Italy's parliament approved the "Italia in scena" law in March 2026, a cultural heritage reform aligned with right-wing priorities: territorial valorization, local identity promotion, autonomy, and private-sector involvement. The law establishes a digital registry (Anagrafe), a roster of accredited operators, and a framework for private management of cultural assets, but allocates only €4.5 million annually—a symbolic sum compared to France's cultural mediation budgets. It also opens participation to the Third Sector (cooperatives, community foundations) but defers all critical details to implementing decrees with no strict deadlines or enforcement mechanisms.

Does Art Move You? The University of Pisa is Looking for You to be an Artwork Observer

L’arte ti emoziona? L’Università di Pisa ti cerca per fare l’osservatore di opere

The University of Pisa's Department of Biology is recruiting adult volunteers to participate in a study on emotional responses to visual art. Participants will observe images of artworks on a computer and describe their emotional reactions, with the aim of gathering a diverse sample to understand the processes behind emotion and perception.

ART AFRICA to host 2nd NEW FUTURES ARTS COLLABORATIVE 2026, in Cape Town, South Africa.

ART AFRICA has announced an open call for the second edition of its NEW FUTURES ARTS COLLABORATIVE, scheduled for 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa. The residency, titled "De-composition, Extraction and Regeneration," invites artists to collectively explore themes of extractivism, ecological crisis, and social justice, using artistic practice as a tool for transformation and regeneration.

South West artists have come together for a new exhibition

A new group exhibition titled "Echoes of the Earth" has opened at the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries, featuring works by 12 artists from Western Australia's South West region. The show explores the artists' personal and collective experiences with the local environment, including themes of coastal erosion, bushfire recovery, and Indigenous connection to Country.

Gallery: Nuart Aberdeen 2026 launches opening weekend with guided street art tours

The article announces the opening weekend of Nuart Aberdeen 2026, a street art festival in Aberdeen, Scotland. The event features guided tours that showcase murals and street art installations throughout the city, aiming to engage both locals and visitors with public art.

Sarasota Student Art Takes Center Stage: 71st Annual Spring Art Show Showcases 1,500 Young Artists

Art Center Sarasota is hosting the 71st Annual North Sarasota County Schools Spring Art Show from April 28 to May 9, 2026, featuring over 1,500 student artists from kindergarten through 12th grade. The exhibition includes paintings, sculptures, mixed media, photography, and experimental works, with a High School Awards Ceremony awarding more than $20,000 in scholarships and prizes. The show is organized by coordinators Angela Hartvigsen and Debra Markley, and coincides with Art Center Sarasota's 100th anniversary.

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.

“ Where Arts Flourish, Culture Blossoms”: Renowned Film Director and Artist B. Narsing Rao at ‘Charcoal...

A charcoal art exhibition titled "Charcoal Stories" by young prodigy Ricky Tej from Nagarkurnool district was inaugurated at Lamakaan in Hyderabad. Renowned film director and artist B. Narsing Rao attended as Chief Guest, praising Tej's realistic charcoal drawings and mythological themes. Other speakers included journalist Sri Venkateshwar Rao, editorial cartoonist Sri Narsim, and Group-1 Officer Ms. Sahithi, who emphasized the importance of encouraging artistic talents alongside academics. The exhibition was organized by BALACHELIMI children's magazine and remains open to the public until 6pm on April 26, 2025.

“2026 DART SeniorThesis Show,” through August 30

The 2026 DART Senior Thesis Show is on display at the University of Dubuque's Bisignano Art Gallery through August 30, featuring capstone projects from four graduating digital art and design majors. The exhibition includes Ty Eggers' children's book "A Monster Under My Bed!" about OCD, Elaina Marburger's series "Psyche of the Mortal Body," and Mason Sterken's sports-media-inspired video and poster project "UNO!" alongside other works in illustration, motion design, and digital painting.

Annual Student Art Exhibitions on Display at the Zuccaire Gallery

The Zuccaire Gallery at Staller Center is hosting two annual student art exhibitions: the Senior Show (April 29 to May 22) and the URECA Art Exhibition (April 29 to May 13). The Senior Show features works by graduating studio art majors and minors and digital art minors, including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, prints, photographs, digital media, and mixed-media installations. The URECA Art Exhibition highlights outstanding undergraduate artwork selected by Department of Art faculty, with juried awards presented by the Division of Student Affairs and Gallery North. An artist reception is scheduled for April 29.

Student Art Exhibit Opens at Studio 23 in Bay City

The Teenworks & Kids’ Kreations 2026 exhibition opens April 25 at Studio 23 in Bay City, featuring over 200 artworks by elementary, middle, and high school students from across Bay County. An opening reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., and the show runs through May 16.

Exhibition openings to enjoy in May

Bundaberg Regional Galleries in Queensland, Australia, will launch five new exhibitions in May 2025, with opening events spread across the month. The shows include 'Lost in Palm Springs', a national touring exhibition curated by Dr Greer Honeywill featuring 14 artists and thinkers from America and Australia exploring Palm Springs' landscape and mid-century modern architecture; 'Shifting Perspectives: the Self Reconciliation Project' by local artist Avi Amesbury, which uses ceramics and storytelling to examine settler-colonial family history; 'Post Truth' by Gureng Gureng/Gangalu artist Darren Blackburn, addressing the Australian Government's Close the Gap campaign through led-neon signs; 'The Nature of Silk: The Glad Not Sad Book', a family-friendly exhibition of silk art by children's book author Kim Michelle Toft; and 'Metal in Motion' by Kevin Dekker, a collection of sculptures that transform steel, wood, stone and ceramics into dynamic, fluid forms. Opening events will be held at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery and Childers Arts Space, with free admission and no RSVP required.

Hickey Machine Debuts First-Ever Art Exhibition Celebrating Club Kid Culture

Hickey Machine, a Portland-based creative collective, has launched its first-ever art exhibition celebrating Club Kid culture. The show features works by multiple artists that capture the vibrant, rebellious spirit of the underground club scene, known for its flamboyant fashion and DIY ethos.

‘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.

Artapolooza 2026: Crestview student wins Best of Show at Mid-Ohio ESC regional art exhibition

Artapolooza 2026, a regional student art exhibition organized by the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center, took place from April 17 to 22 in Mansfield, Ohio. Over 3,000 student artists from 23 local school districts participated, with Gracie Gallaway of Crestview Senior High School winning Best of Show for her acrylic floral portrait. Other top honors included Kayla Mendez, Anastasia Stimens, and Aria Wright in the High School Division, and Eelyn Crist, Ariel Ramsey, and Olive Richards in the Middle School Division. The revived Rising Star Award was presented to Georgia Gantz of Highland High School, who received professional art supplies to support her artistic development.

Art museum - The art of stillness: Dib Bangkok

Dib Bangkok, a major new contemporary art museum, has opened in Thailand's capital. Conceived by the late Thai businessman and art collector Petch Osathanugrah and realized by his son Purat 'Chang' Osathanugrah, the museum is housed in a converted 1980s warehouse redesigned by LA-based Thai architect Kulupat Yansantrast of WHY Architecture. It features 7,000 square meters of gallery space across 11 galleries, a central courtyard, an outdoor sculpture garden, and a penthouse. The inaugural exhibition, titled '(In)visible Presence,' presents 81 works by 40 artists exploring memory and the unseen, curated by director Miwako Tezuka.

Turner Center announces winners of 39th Annual Spring Into Art Gala

The Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, Georgia, has announced the winners of its 39th Annual Spring Into Art Gala. The event recognizes local and regional artists across multiple categories, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, with awards presented during a formal ceremony at the center.

Crealdé celebrates America250 with people, places and ideas

Crealdé School of Art is presenting "American Mosaic: Stories in Color, Clay and Canvas," an exhibition celebrating the nation's 250th birthday. The show features works like Stefan Alexandres' "The Journey," which uses mixed media to explore literal and symbolic references to an immigrant's experience, reflecting the exhibition's focus on people, places, and ideas that shape America.

IUP's University Museum to turn the spotlight onto stagecraft in upcoming artist talk, exhibition

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's University Museum is hosting an upcoming artist talk and exhibition that focuses on stagecraft, highlighting the intersection of visual art and theatrical design. The event will feature artists and designers who create sets, costumes, and props for the stage, showcasing their work in the museum space.

Photos: Opening reception kicks off QCC Art Gallery’s 2026 Juried Student art exhibit

Queensborough Community College Art Gallery held an opening reception for its 2026 Juried Student art exhibit on April 21. The annual show, which began in 2011, features between 87 and 100 works selected as the "best of the best" from students in the Art and Design Department, with the pieces remaining on view through May 29.

Celebrate Arts at Bucks with 61st Student Art Exhibition, open studios, concerts, and more

Bucks County Community College is hosting its annual Arts at Bucks celebration, featuring the 61st Annual Student Art Exhibition from April 24 to May 12. The event includes open studios, a bronze pour demonstration, an alumni and student art sale, and a schedule of music, film, dance, and theater performances at the Newtown Campus.

73rd annual Shasta College student art exhibit opens this May

Shasta College in Redding, California, will host its 73rd Annual Art Student Exhibit from May 5 to May 19, 2025, in the Shasta College Art Gallery. The exhibition features student works across various genres and media, juried by J. Pouwels, a painting, drawing, and foundations instructor at Chico State. Over $4,000 in awards will be presented, with a Juror's Lecture on April 30 and a Reception and Awards Ceremony on May 7.

NEREIDA APAZA MAMANI A HISTORY OF MIGRATION AND VIOLENCE AT THE ICPNA CULTURAL IN MIRAFLORES

Nereida Apaza Mamani presents a solo exhibition at ICPNA Cultural in Miraflores, Lima, featuring 150 works across watercolor, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, embroidery, and installation. The show traces stories of migration and displacement through cartographies, maps, and family trees, drawing on embroidery techniques inherited from her mother and grandmother. Curated by Miguel López, the exhibition explores belonging in a country marked by discrimination and centralism, incorporating the artist's notebooks begun in 2009 and works that address political violence and memory.

First UK Ken Price solo exhibition in nearly 10 years to open at Lisson.

Lisson Gallery, in collaboration with Matthew Marks Gallery, will present the first solo exhibition of Ken Price's work in the UK in nearly a decade. The show brings together sculptures and drawings, several shown in London for the first time, spanning the late American artist's five-decade career. Best known for expanding the possibilities of ceramics, Price created intimate yet monumental works that blend abstraction and figuration, with richly layered surfaces achieved through painstaking pigment and sanding processes. The exhibition includes iconic pieces such as 'Prone' (1997), 'Itself' (2003), 'Yin' (2009), and 'Amazon' (2003), alongside rarely seen works on paper that reveal his imaginative, dreamlike landscapes.

Young talent shines at fourth annual student art show

Slanted Art Co-Op in Montrose hosted its fourth annual student art show, featuring high school artists from four of the six school districts in the county. Students displayed works in acrylic, oil, pastels, ceramics, and mixed media, with some pieces available for sale. Notable participants included Forest City senior Amanda Borsheski, whose acrylic painting "Mandarin" and other works won multiple awards, and Blue Ridge senior Madison Gaylord, who exhibited a paint-dotted vinyl record and a relief sculpture. The event was curated by the students themselves and included awards such as Judges Delight and People's Choice.

What We Throw Away Does Not Disappear

Was wir wegwerfen, verschwindet nicht

The Museum Ostwall at the Dortmunder U in Dortmund has opened a new exhibition titled "Müll – die globalen Wege des Abfalls" ("Waste – The Global Paths of Garbage"), curated by Christina Danick and Michael Griff. Featuring around 50 international artworks from the 20th and 21st centuries, including two newly commissioned pieces, the show uses art to explore waste as material, motif, and aesthetic strategy. Key works include Kader Attia's "Los de Arriba y Los de Abajo," which addresses power imbalances through the lens of garbage in Hebron, and historical pieces by César Baldaccini, Arman, and HA Schult. The exhibition also highlights contemporary issues such as e-waste, global waste trafficking, and the environmental impact of industrial nations on the Global South.

Marianne Vitale exhibition and performance in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents "Marianne Vitale: On Liberty: A Summoning," an exhibition and performance project at SPACE gallery in downtown Pittsburgh, running from May 1 to October 11, 2026. Guest curated by Benjamin Tischer of New Discretions, the project explores the layered social and cultural history of the 818 Liberty Avenue building, a former hub of nightlife, performance, and queer gathering. Vitale's work incorporates sculpture, painting, film, and live activations, using decommissioned locomotive parts and industrial debris to engage with post-industrial America. The exhibition transforms into a functioning club during select Final Fridays, drawing on the site's history as home to venues like Pegasus Lounge, a key LGBTQ+ space during the AIDS crisis.

British ’90s art and fashion exhibition heading to Tate Britain in fall 2026.

Tate Britain will mount the first major exhibition exploring the transformative impact of fashion, art, and photography on 1990s Britain. Curated by former British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, the show titled “The 90s: Art and Fashion” will bring together over 100 works—including photographs, paintings, films, sculptures, objects, and garments—from nearly 70 artists. It runs from August 8, 2026 through February 14, 2027.