Marin resident returns to art after retiring from police department

Donna Loftus, a Marin County resident, retired from a 33-year career with the San Francisco Police Department in 2012 and has since returned to her lifelong passion for art. She took classes at the College of Marin, joined the Marin Society of Artists and the art group Marin 6, and has exhibited her work at venues including Fred's retail store in Mill Valley, Locati Mediterranean restaurant, and Coit Tower in San Francisco. Currently, she is the guest artist in the exhibition "Embracing Art" at the Arts Guild of Sonoma, running through June 1. Loftus, who is pursuing a fine arts degree, paints landscapes, still lifes, and abstracts inspired by nature and her travels.

Mount Wachusett Community College student art exhibit opens in Gardner

Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) has opened its 55th Annual Student Art Exhibition at the East Wing Gallery inside the Raymond LaFontaine Fine Arts Center on its Gardner campus. Running from May 11 through May 26, the show features student work in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, and design, selected collaboratively by faculty and students. Art department chair, professor, and gallery director Joyce Miller is the contact for the event.

C’è un museo di Torino che cerca 100 lampade per realizzare una grande installazione. Ecco come partecipare

The MAO – Museo d’Arte Orientale in Turin has launched an open call titled "We need your light," inviting the public to lend up to three lamps each for a large-scale collective installation. Participants can deliver their lamps on May 17-18, 2026, by booking a time slot via Eventbrite; the museum will collect the objects, rewire them for safety, and incorporate them into a site-specific artwork debuting during Turin's Art Week in October 2026. The museum also encourages lenders to share the story behind their lamp, which will be filmed and included in the exhibition.

The Biennale and the Weight of Flags. What Is the Point of National Pavilions?

La Biennale e il peso delle bandiere. Che senso hanno i padiglioni nazionali?

The article examines the inherent contradiction within the Venice Biennale: its historical structure of national pavilions, a legacy of 19th-century world fairs and state-sponsored art, clashes with the transnational, post-identity vision of the international exhibition curated by Koyo Kouoh. The return of the Russia Pavilion amid geopolitical conflict and the international show titled "In Minor Keys," which rejects national belonging as an interpretive criterion, highlight this tension. The piece also addresses the controversy over the lack of Italian artists in the main exhibition, questioning whether a Biennale hosted in Italy should guarantee national representation.

The gardens are beautiful but we have stopped designing them. Analysis by architect Gabriele Mulè

I giardini sono bellissimi ma abbiamo smesso di progettarli. L’analisi dell’architetto Gabriele Mulè

Architect Gabriele Mulè analyzes the garden of Bruce Ginsberg in Hampshire, England, describing it as a masterful blend of Eastern and Western traditions. The garden, cultivated for over thirty years, features fluid curves, geometric hedges, a Tibetan stupa, and a labyrinth, embodying the concept of sharawadgi—planting without apparent order—while integrating elements from ancient Greece, the Renaissance, and Buddhist philosophy.

Call for artists open for 17th annual juried exhibition

The City of St. Catharines has opened the call for artists to submit work for its 17th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, titled "Current." Emerging, student, and established artists living in the Niagara Region are invited to explore the theme of currents—literal waterways like the Welland Canal and Niagara River, as well as cultural, social, and technological forces. Submissions in all mediums created within the past three years are eligible, with a deadline of June 29, 2026. The exhibition will run from September 18, 2026, to January 22, 2027, in the City Hall gallery, and selected artists receive an exhibition fee and possible acquisition into the city's Municipal Art Collection.

Colares studio opens its doors for one-day art show

Three artists—Maria José Meneses, Clara Rêgo, and Mary St. George—are opening their studio at Casa do Celeiro in Colares, Sintra, for a one-day "Open Studio" event on Saturday, May 30, from 12pm to 6pm. The event offers the public a rare behind-the-scenes look at a working art studio, featuring contemporary paintings, mixed media, sculptural ceramics, and artists' books in a 17th-century building that was once a barn and stable.

“长征前夜·抚州烽火”纪念红军长征胜利90周年美术采风创作活动在抚州举办

From April 30 to May 4, 2026, the "Long March Eve·Fuzhou Beacon" art sketching and creation event was held in Fuzhou to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Red Army's Long March. Organized by the Jiangxi Artists Association and the Fuzhou Municipal Propaganda Department under the guidance of the China Artists Association, 15 artists including China Artists Association Chairman Fan Di'an and Secretary-General Wang Ping visited revolutionary heritage sites such as the Red Ninth Army Luojiapu Command Post, the Dengxian Bridge Victory Site in Le'an County, and the Long March National Cultural Park (Guangchang Section). They also explored the intangible cultural heritage Nuo Dance in Shiyou Village, Nanfeng County, to absorb local cultural roots for their creations.

Artist Talk - Aspen Chapel Gallery

The Aspen Chapel Gallery is hosting an Artist Talk event, featuring local artists discussing their work and creative processes. The talk is designed to engage the community and provide insight into the exhibitions currently on view at the gallery.

Albany Center Gallery seeks artists, vendors for Summer Art Fest

Albany Center Gallery is seeking artists and vendors for its third annual Summer Art Fest, a free outdoor art festival taking place July 18 at Quackenbush Square and Clinton Market Collective in downtown Albany. The event features a curated pop-up gallery, a new vendor market, a kids' art corner, interactive activities, and live artmaking. Submissions are free, with a deadline of June 10, and guidelines are available on the gallery's website. Last year's festival drew over 1,000 attendees from the Capital Region.

Mugs of May art show brewing in Vernon

Vernon's Community Arts Centre (VCAC) is hosting its sixth annual Mugs of May: Art Show and Sale through May 26. The exhibition features hundreds of handmade ceramic mugs by artists from across the Okanagan, ranging from emerging to established ceramicists, alongside wall and fine art inspired by coffee and daily rituals. Visitors can also participate in a coloring contest for a chance to win a gift card.

China Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia: Dream Stream

The China Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia has been announced under the title "Dream Stream." The pavilion will be part of the prestigious Venice Biennale, one of the world's most important contemporary art exhibitions, and is organized by the Chinese government or cultural authorities. The announcement was made via a press release distributed by PR Newswire, highlighting China's continued participation in this global art event.

Monroe student artists bring annual exhibit to IHM campus

The Monroe County Community College Student Art Club is presenting its annual art show from May 22 through July 15 at St. Therese at IHM Senior Living in Monroe, Michigan. The exhibition features student artwork in various media including pencil, watercolor, acrylic, pottery, and sculpture, with a public reception on May 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Select pieces are available for purchase during gallery hours, and the club is seeking exhibitors for 2027.

In pictures: inside the 2026 Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong

The 13th edition of the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong is taking place from May 14 to May 17 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. The fair showcases a wide range of affordable contemporary artworks, with participating galleries presenting pieces priced to attract new and seasoned collectors alike.

She Takes Flight: Mosaic Art by Judy Steed: Opening Reception

The article announces the opening reception for "She Takes Flight: Mosaic Art by Judy Steed," a local exhibition featuring mosaic works by artist Judy Steed. The event is presented as a community art gathering, likely held at a local venue, and includes a call for readers to subscribe to a newsletter for local news updates.

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.

Tamarack to host opening for ‘Best of West Virginia’ art exhibition

Tamarack Marketplace in Beckley, West Virginia, will host the opening reception and award ceremony for its 18th annual “Best of West Virginia” Open Juried Exhibition on May 16. The event takes place in the David L. Dickirson Fine Arts Gallery, with the reception at 1 p.m. and the award ceremony at 2:30 p.m. in the theater.

Austin’s Affordable Art Fair: Global galleries, local artists and something for every budget

The Affordable Art Fair is coming to Austin, featuring a mix of international galleries and local artists, with artworks priced to suit a range of budgets. The event aims to make art collecting accessible to a broader audience, showcasing works from both established and emerging creators.

Artist Steven Parkhurst to showcase multi-medium work at Creative 360 exhibition

Creative 360 in Midland, Michigan, will host the opening reception for “Convergence,” a solo exhibition by artist Steven Parkhurst, on May 22 at 7 p.m. The show features Parkhurst's work across multiple mediums, including graphite drawings, oil and acrylic paintings, and iPhoneography. Parkhurst describes himself as a 'maker' who lets the medium and his imagination guide each piece, rather than following a predetermined design. The exhibition runs through June 21, with free admission and a chance to meet the artist.

Isle of Wight Open Studios 2026 opens this Friday with more than 200 artists taking part

Isle of Wight Open Studios 2026 opens this Friday, 15th May, and runs until Monday 25th May, featuring over 200 artists and makers across the Isle of Wight. Visitors can explore studios, galleries, and creative spaces to meet painters, ceramicists, photographers, jewellers, printmakers, textile artists, and sculptors. A preview exhibition, the IWOS Showcase Exhibition, is currently on display at Quay Arts until 30th May, showcasing work from over 90 participating artists. The event has been nominated in the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards under 'Best Event or Festival'.

2026 Pride Art Exhibit: What Is Your Joy?

The Montrose Daily Press announces the 2026 Pride Art Exhibit, themed "What Is Your Joy?", taking place in Montrose, Colorado. The exhibit invites LGBTQ+ artists and allies to submit works exploring joy and celebration within the community.

Imaginative Sculptures Herald an Austin Artist’s First Solo Museum Show

Laura Lit, an Austin-based artist, has opened her first solo museum exhibition, "Impossible Beings," at Laguna Gloria. The show features four abstract sculptures that are the outdoor debut of The Contemporary's HOST series, running from April 23, 2025, through January 17, 2027. Lit, who began her artistic reinvention after becoming a mother in 2020, creates dream-like figures inspired by meditation, using industrial materials like expanded polystyrene and Pal Tiya. The exhibition also includes a companion show at The Jones Center opening in September.

Brixham Art Society to host nautical exhibition alongside heritage sailing regatta

Brixham Art Society will host a three-day nautical-themed art exhibition at the Brixham Conservative Club from May 22 to May 24, running alongside the town's annual Heritage Sailing Regatta. The exhibition will feature maritime-inspired paintings by local and professional artists from Torbay and Brixham, including works depicting the heritage vessel Our Daddy, and will offer affordable greeting cards and original artwork for sale. Newly elected society president Mackenzie Moulton has created a painting of one of the regatta's heritage boats to connect the exhibition directly to the sailing event.

The uncensored Hangin' Out Art Show opens at the Corbin Gallery in Crisfield

The annual Hangin' Out Art Show has opened at the Corbin Studio & Gallery in Crisfield, Maryland, with a reception scheduled for Friday, May 15 from 5-8 p.m. The exhibition is the featured event at the gallery this month, located at 4 East Main Street.

GSHS Amplify Art Exhibit at GCAC Gallery ‘til May 29 in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

The Gulf Coast Art Alliance (GCAA) is hosting the Gulf Shores High School Amplify Art Exhibit at its gallery in Gulf Shores, Alabama, from May 4 to May 29. The exhibition features artwork created by high school students, with cash awards and a public reception scheduled for May 14 from 4-6 p.m. at the GCAA Gallery located at 225 E 24th Ave. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Turtle Wing Foundation celebrates 15 years with “Jack’s Art Gallery” exhibition opening

The Turtle Wing Foundation is celebrating its 15th anniversary with the opening of “Jack’s Art Gallery” exhibition on May 16 at 10 a.m. The event, which also honors Jack’s birthday, features a self-guided tour of artwork, stories, and milestones that highlight the foundation’s impact on individuals with learning challenges.

Corning gallery to feature late artist Martin A. Poole

The West End Gallery in Corning, New York, will host a tribute exhibition for the late artist Martin A. Poole, a Corning native who passed away in late 2025. The show runs from May 15 to June 11, 2025, with an opening reception on May 15 featuring harpist Meredith Kohn Boeck and treats from Old World Cafe. Poole, who studied fine arts and printmaking at SUNY Buffalo, taught at the 717 Cedar Arts Center and other local groups, and his work has been represented by West End Gallery for 47 of its 49 years.

LCCC student artists receive awards during exhibition opening night

The Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) held the opening night of its 2026 Communication Arts Student Art Exhibition at the Schulman Gallery on May 8. During the event, President John Yudichak and Schulman Gallery Curator Robert Husty presented the President’s Choice Awards to student artists. The exhibition will remain on display through Friday, June 5, and is open to the public weekdays.

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.

AAM 2026 | a guide to this year's event

The article previews the 2026 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, scheduled for May in Philadelphia. It highlights key sessions, speakers, and events planned for the gathering of museum professionals, focusing on trends in audience engagement, digital innovation, and institutional resilience.