Community news: Scholars at OPRF, art exhibition in Western Springs, more

A community news roundup from the Chicago area reports on multiple local events, including a National Merit Scholarship announcement at Oak Park and River Forest High School, a two-day art exhibition and silent auction hosted by the First Congregational Church of Western Springs, a drive-in movie screening at Triton College, a Halloween brunch at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, a fall carnival in Darien, and a Zumba dance fundraiser for breast cancer research in Franklin Park. The art exhibition features works by about 20 church members and friends, with a watercolor workshop for children led by artist Jess Root and proceeds benefiting charities.

Open Studios event in Fish Hoek and Clovelly: A celebration of local art

The inaugural Open Studios Fish Hoek and Clovelly (OSFHC) launched on October 3, showcasing the artwork of 19 local artists across 15 studios in the South African coastal communities of Fish Hoek and Clovelly over the weekend. A large-scale art installation was placed in the front windows of the 97-year-old family-run department store AP Jones to promote the event. Participating artists include Susan Didcott, Marlise Keith, Sue Kaplan, Yda Walt, Mandy Johnston, and organizer Lauren Shantall, with works ranging from sculpture and paint pieces to textile art and live material burns.

Children of Ruth: Artists Choosing Judaism

The Heller Museum at Hebrew Union College in New York presents “Children of Ruth: Artists Choosing Judaism,” an international group exhibition featuring 17 artists who converted to Judaism. Curated by Nancy Mantell and Susan H. Picker, the show includes works by artists from New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Norway, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States, exploring their diverse spiritual journeys through various media. Featured artists include Tetsuya Noda, whose print “Diary: June 11, 1971: Bet Din for Conversion” depicts his conversion ceremony; Yona Verwer, whose “Immersion VIII” portrays her mikvah experience; and Carolyn Carson, whose “Daughters of Ruth” addresses antisemitism and belonging.

Venice installation celebrates migrants with 100 large-scale portraits

A large-scale installation titled 'Dreams in Transit' has been unveiled on the facade of the Procuratie Vecchie in Venice’s St. Mark’s Square, featuring 100 black-and-white portraits of migrants photographed from behind. The project, launched on Wednesday in collaboration with Art for Action and The Human Safety Net (a foundation funded by Generali), takes inspiration from French street artist JR’s Inside Out project but reverses the perspective. Inside the building, a complementary exhibition includes works by Leila Alaoui, Lorraine de Sagazan, Anouk Maugein, Ange Leccia, and a sound installation by Sarah Makharine, all focusing on migrants’ dreams and resilience.

Central Coast artists share ideas in Cuesta art exhibition

The Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery at Cuesta College hosted a closing ceremony for its latest exhibition, “High Tide,” on August 14. The event featured live jazz music, driftwood sculptures, and refreshments, showcasing works by over 60 local Central Coast artists. Artists were invited to nominate fellow creatives, resulting in a diverse display of paintings, ceramics, assemblage, digital media, and photographs. Coordinator Tim Stark described the exhibition as a reflection of the region's creative ecosystem, built on mutual trust and recognition among artists.

From traditional Japanese woodblock to anime inspiration, Tacoma Art Museum exhibit has fun and fascination in store for all

The Tacoma Art Museum presents an exhibition curated by Kenji Stoll that traces the evolution of Japanese visual culture from traditional ukiyo-e woodblock prints to contemporary anime-inspired works. The show features a diverse range of artists, including Roger Shimomura, whose painting "Minidoka No.5 (442)" references the Japanese American 442nd regimental unit in World War II, alongside self-taught artists like VanVan, who contributes manga-style drawings. Stoll himself, a tattoo artist, exhibits a large mural titled "Nikkei Butterfly," which celebrates Japanese diaspora culture through patterns and a samurai warrior motif. Other artists include Ed Augai, Lauren Iida, Hanako O’Leary, and Yoshiko Yamamoto, whose works bridge historical ukiyo-e techniques with contemporary themes of identity, memory, and female empowerment.

News Briefs: 12th Art in the Village beats the heat; major support for local historical society; Sears School names new asst. principal

The 12th annual Art in the Village, organized by the North Shore Art League, took place June 21-22 in Hubbard Woods Park, featuring a juried exhibition of artists from across the U.S. The event included live portrait painting by faculty member Lisa DePinto, a silent auction, and a raffle with donations from local businesses. Professional artists Bill Marvin and Corey Postiglione served as judges, awarding first place to Jenny Henley of Satsuma, Florida. Separately, the Winnetka Historical Society raised $132,000 at its annual gala honoring the late Jim Hansen, and Jeff Rosen was named assistant principal at The Joseph Sears School.

Community Space: Celebrating Local Art with the ‘Metamorphosis’ Exhibit

The Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation has launched its fifth art exhibition, 'Metamorphosis: Evolving Identities,' in the CZI Community Space in downtown Redwood City. The exhibition features 11 local artists from San Mateo County, including four teen artists, showcasing works in painting, wall sculpture, and mixed media that explore themes of transformation, growth, and self-discovery. The launch event on March 21 included panel discussions and artist talks, and the exhibit will remain on display through spring 2026.

About Hunger & Resilience: Cowell’s art exhibitions focus on hunger, resilience, and campus food systems - UC Santa Cruz

The Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery at Cowell College, UC Santa Cruz, is presenting "About Hunger & Resilience," an exhibition by photographer Michael Nye featuring portraits and oral histories on hunger in America, collected over four and a half years. The show is paired with "Circuit," a student-led photographic installation by Morgan Yacullo that maps campus food systems, including the UCSC Farm, Chadwick Garden, Redwood Free Market, and Cowell Coffee Shop. The exhibitions are part of a yearlong campus focus on food systems and food justice, curated with support from the Basic Needs team and curatorial intern Sloane Harris.

Rocío Sáenz: Wild Order

ROCÍO SÁENZ: ORDEN SALVAJE

Mexican artist Rocío Sáenz presents "Orden salvaje" (Wild Order) at the Museo de las Artes de la Universidad de Guadalajara (MUSA), an exhibition featuring over 60 works created over three years. Spanning painting, ceramics, photography, and drawing, the collection explores the tension between beauty and horror, specifically addressing the harrowing reality of forced disappearances in Mexico. The exhibition is designed as an open studio, showcasing the artist's creative process alongside finished pieces that utilize black humor and satire to navigate themes of death and reconstruction.

Is this art Celtic? It’s complicated.

The Harvard Art Museums have launched "Celtic Art Across the Ages," a first-of-its-kind exhibition that challenges traditional Eurocentric narratives focused on Greece and Rome. Spanning from the Iron Age to the modern Celtic Revival, the show features objects like the abstract Heidelberg sandstone head and the bronze Dea Artio sculpture to highlight a visual language defined by ornamentation and deconstruction.

Aspen Chapel Gallery to host 40th anniversary show

The Aspen Chapel Gallery is hosting a mixed-media exhibition titled "40 Years of Art in Aspen" to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The show, opening February 25, features over 40 local artists from the Roaring Fork Valley and is the gallery's 265th consecutive exhibition since its founding in 1985. The event also serves as a benefit for the gallery and will honor the memory of longtime arts patron Susan Marx.

Fit for a king: the drapery bedchamber at Germany's ‘Versailles of Swabia’ presents conservators with a special challenge

Friedrich I of Baden-Württemberg upgraded his summer residence, Ludwigsburg Palace in Germany, after allying with Napoleon and becoming king. Four prized rooms, including the unusually complete drapery bedchamber, are set to reopen in 2026 after substantial restoration. The bedchamber features original turquoise silks, now faded blue-green, and over 6,000 tassels, presenting a major conservation challenge. Textile conservator Anu-Susanna Ventelä notes it is likely the only palace in Europe with such an intact drapery room. The project is part of a larger revamp of 35 rooms funded by the State of Baden-Württemberg, with conservators consulting historical inventories to restore furnishings to their original layout.

Ashe Arts Center hosting opening reception for new exhibit this Friday

The Ashe Arts Center in Lansing, North Carolina, is hosting an opening reception for "Shadow of the Hills," a new exhibit featuring artwork created by the Blue Ridge Art Clan (BRAC). The reception will take place on Friday, May 8, from 5-7 p.m., and the exhibit will remain on display through June 6. BRAC, founded by Florence Thomas in 1978, promotes fine arts and supports artistic excellence, with members including professional and hobby artists from Ashe County and the surrounding High Country. The 2026 exhibit features 28 participating artists, including Scott Ballard, Lynn Baranowski, and Pete Benda, among others.

Driftwood exhibition at Zebra Gallery kicks off Friday

The Star Democrat reports that a new exhibition titled 'Driftwood' will open on Friday at Zebra Gallery. The show features works created from driftwood, highlighting the natural material's transformation into art.

‘Farm & Fields’ exhibit features local artists

The Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock, California, opens its annual juried exhibition “Farms & Fields” in the Lobby Gallery, featuring 52 works by 37 regional artists selected from over 150 submissions. Juror Susan Stephenson, a landscape painter and Stanislaus State professor, chose pieces across media including painting, photography, printmaking, ceramics, and fabric arts, all celebrating agriculture. Awards totaling $1,100 were given, with Rhett Regina Owings winning Best of Show for her gouache “Farm Near Tracy.” The exhibition runs through July 25, with a free public reception on May 7 as part of the downtown Turlock art walk.

Cosgrove Care spring art exhibition ends with special closing celebration

Cosgrove Care's Spring Art Exhibition concluded with a closing celebration on April 23 at Eastwood Park Theatre and Gallery in East Renfrewshire. The exhibition, which ran from April 2-23, featured works from 22 Cosgrove artists on the theme 'Awakening of the Landscape After a Cold, Harsh Winter'. Blair McDougall, MP for East Renfrewshire, attended and purchased an artwork for his parliamentary office. The event brought together artists, families, supporters, and board members, including Dr David and Mrs Carole Walton, and Kayleigh Quinn. New chief executive Carolann Lanigan praised the artists' passion and creativity, supported by Arts Tutor Susan Kennedy.

In My Place in My Time: Brian Tripp Archive Exhibition – 2 Upcoming Events

Cal Poly Humboldt's Reese Bullen & Goudi’ni Native American Arts Galleries will present "In My Time, In My Place: Brian Tripp Archive," an exhibition exploring the late Karuk artist Brian D. Tripp's (1945–2022) use of personal texts, symbols, and geometric language. The show runs April 2 through May 16, 2026, featuring reproduced archival materials from Tripp's papers held in the Cal Poly Humboldt Library Special Collections. Two related events are scheduled: an Artist on Artist Talk with Bob Benson on April 29 and an Archivist Talk with Susan Gehr and Carly Marino on May 7.

Celebration of arts and community as free exhibition prepares for return

The Fairwinds Fine Art Exhibition is returning to Cowes Yacht Haven on the Isle of Wight from May 1 to 4, featuring works by 13 local artists. Entry is free, and all proceeds will support the Andrew Cassell Foundation, the Ring Daisy Bus, and Mountbatten Isle of Wight. The exhibition was inspired by the late John Garlick, a sailor and art enthusiast, and is continued by his family and artist Peter Allen.

Southwick Cultural Council’s 25th annual Fine Art Exhibition & Show kicks off on Saturday

The Southwick Cultural Council is hosting its 25th Annual Fine Art Exhibition Show and Sale at Town Hall on April 26-27. The event features over 40 artisans, with works in oils, acrylics, watercolors, wood carvings, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, most of which are for sale. A jury process selects participants, and the event includes live music and a display by the Southwick Historical Society.

Dreamlike visions, Southwest scenes set for Newport Beach library exhibits

The Newport Beach City Arts Commission has selected artists Jim Doody and Elena Kealy for upcoming solo exhibitions at the Newport Beach Central Library. Kealy, a self-taught painter and former mechanical engineer, is recognized for her whimsical, dreamlike oil paintings featuring female figures and vibrant atmospheric light, including her award-winning work "Bliss." Doody specializes in emotive depictions of the American Southwest, capturing iconic Route 66 Americana, Spanish Missions, and desert landscapes through a style that emphasizes the play of light on architecture.

Primavera will 'draw' talent from every art piece across 3 days

The city of Plymouth is preparing for its annual Primavera festival, a three-day celebration of the arts scheduled for April 24-26 at the Plymouth Community Center. This year’s event features a juried exhibition of 64 selected artworks across various media, including painting, sculpture, and digital art, chosen from over 100 submissions. The festival will also include live artist demonstrations, youth art displays from local high schoolers, and performances by regional dance and music ensembles.

FVCC to host visiting artist Susan Fletcher for gallery talk

Flathead Valley Community College is hosting a visiting artist event featuring Susan Fletcher at its student art gallery. The public event includes a show opening and a gallery talk where Fletcher will discuss her creative process and the natural inspirations behind her work.

"Layers of Art" Exhibition Opening Soon at First Coast Cultural Center

The First Coast Cultural Center in Ponte Vedra, Florida, is set to host "Layers of Art," a solo exhibition featuring the surrealistic oil and watercolor paintings of Susanne Schuenke. Opening with a public reception on April 23, the show highlights Schuenke’s intellectually driven approach to composition, where multiple layers of meaning are embedded within her visual narratives. The exhibition will be accompanied by a special lecture on May 1, where the artist will discuss the scholarly and imaginative foundations of her work.

Representational Art League Exhibition at the Humboldt County Library, Hagopian Gallery

The Representational Art League has launched its latest group exhibition at the Hagopian Gallery, located within the Humboldt County Library in Eureka, California. This showcase features a diverse array of studio and plein-aire works created by local artists using mediums such as watercolor, acrylics, pastels, and oils. Featured participants include Paul and Nancy Rickard, Michelle Murphy-Ferguson, and several other regional creators.

'A celebration of creativity' - Inclusive art exhibition open in East Renfrewshire

Eastwood Park Theatre and Gallery has launched the 'Spring Art Collection,' an exhibition featuring works by individuals with learning disabilities, autism, and additional support needs. Curated by charity Cosgrove Care and led by artist Susan Kennedy, the showcase debuted on World Autism Awareness Day with a ceremony headed by East Renfrewshire Provost Mary Montague. The collection, themed around the awakening of landscapes after winter, highlights the creative output of participants from weekly art groups based in Mearns Kirk Halls.

‘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.

Casa Sanlorenzo in Venice opens its first exhibition with a focus on ocean pollution

Casa Sanlorenzo, a new cultural space in Venice established by yacht builder Sanlorenzo, has opened its inaugural exhibition titled "Breathtaking." The installation by Italian artist and photographer Fabrizio Ferri addresses ocean plastic and microplastic pollution, featuring large-scale portraits of celebrities including Sting, Helena Christensen, Willem Dafoe, Isabella Rossellini, Susan Sarandon, and Naomi Watts, all depicted covered in plastic and debris. At the center of the installation is a glass coffin filled with seawater, symbolizing the fragility of marine ecosystems. The exhibition was previously shown at the Museo di Storia Naturale in Milan, where it attracted over 40,000 visitors in four days.

RAD Rendezvous opens with ribbon-cutting, music and celebration in Asheville

RAD Rendezvous, a new art event in Asheville's River Arts District, held its grand opening on September 16, 2025, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music by DJ Rob Gray / CPT Hyperdrive, and a celebration with local artists. The event showcased works by numerous artists including Lori Jusino, Rob Czar, Katt Naz, Betsy Kendrick, Pamela Miller, Mara Viksnins, Fernand Poulin, Louise Genetti, Brian Luzader, and Susan Sinyai, with The Radical owner Amy Michaelson Kelly officiating the ribbon-cutting.

Citrus Heights artist wins award, will be featured in PBS KVIE Art Auction

Local artist Susan Ballenger has won a Juror Award in the Contemporary category of the PBS KVIE Art Auction for her acrylic painting "Underwater Rocks." Her work will be among over 270 original pieces featured in the 44th annual Art Auction, broadcast live on KVIE Channel 6 and streamed online from October 3–5, 2025. The event allows viewers to bid on artwork, with proceeds supporting PBS KVIE’s local productions and outreach programs. Ballenger previously won an award in the same auction in 2021 for her piece "Reach for the Heights."