‘Life-changing’ exhibition to feature MP’s artwork

Abstract artist Joey Lowe is organizing a large-scale art exhibition at The Sessions House in Spalding, Lincolnshire, on May 9-10, featuring around 50 artists. A surprise participant is Sir John Hayes, the local MP for South Holland and the Deepings, who has submitted his own artwork for the show. The event also includes a mini youth exhibition with works from five local schools. Joey Lowe launched his first exhibition in 2024, and the event has grown in popularity, drawing hundreds of visitors and creating opportunities for participants.

Popular art exhibition at Ellesmere College makes long-awaited return

The National Art Exhibition is returning to Ellesmere College in Shropshire after a four-year hiatus, running from May 28 to May 30 in the college's Big School Hall. The event will feature over 300 works by more than 70 nationally recognized artists and sculptors, including featured artist Stephanie Eufemia, who recently appeared on Sky TV's Landscape Artist of the Year. Proceeds from this year's exhibition will support Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham, providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care.

HCC Student Artist Brings Good vs. Evil to Life in Striking Painting

Houston Community College student Ruben Rodriguez, who also goes by Dario, created a large painting exploring the theme of good versus evil for the Juried Student Art Exhibition at HCC Spring Branch. The exhibition, hosted by HCC's Media, Visual, and Performing Arts department on April 30, featured works from level 1 and level 2 studio art students across the Spring Branch, Katy, and Alief campuses. Rodriguez's painting incorporates pop culture figures such as Kobe Bryant and Captain America on one side and villainous characters like Marvel's Thanos on the other, illustrating the paths of motivation and discipline versus addiction and greed, inspired by his Christian faith.

Asian-American artists shine at US fair amid ongoing anti-immigrant rhetoric

At the San Francisco Art Fair in April, held at Fort Mason Centre’s Festival Pavilion, organizers, curators, and gallerists centered Asian-American and Pacific Islander voices through a curated group exhibition titled “Da Da Daam” and a pop-up design store featuring over 70 Asian diaspora artists and brands. The fair’s 14th edition, directed by Kelly Freeman, responded to ongoing anti-immigrant rhetoric in the US by celebrating the strength of the immigrant community in a city where nearly 35% of the population identifies as Asian.

Shops at Foothills pop-up exhibit offers collaborative space for local artists

Curator and artist Louise Cutler has organized the Inside Out Pop-Up Art Exhibit at the Shops at Foothills mall in Fort Collins, Colorado, filling empty storefronts with works by 11 local artists. The exhibit, open through June 30, features a variety of art forms including abstract pieces and landscape paintings, and held a reception on April 24 to draw attention to the spaces. Artists like Cherokee Carr and Chavez (mononym) participate, using the platform to connect with the community and spark conversations.

Surrey Heights Dementia Care Centre Partners with Local School For Dementia Friendly Art Exhibition Visit

Residents of Surrey Heights Dementia Care Centre, part of CHD Living, visited a dementia-friendly art exhibition and sculpture trail hosted by King Edward School, Witley, in partnership with appART. Wellbeing Coordinator Karen accompanied residents on short walks to the school, where they engaged with artworks including Beatles-themed pieces and a tiger sculpture. One resident, Nick, was encouraged to apply to exhibit his own work at next year's event, while another resident, Karen, who had previously declined outings, participated calmly and enthusiastically.

You Can Help Create Art at This Free Providence Event

The Providence Chalk Art Festival will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Providence Rink in Rhode Island. For one day, the rink's concrete surface becomes an open-air gallery where artists of all ages and skill levels create chalk artworks in designated squares. Visitors can watch professional chalk artists at work, walk among the colorful street art, and even participate by creating their own chalk designs in special areas set aside for kids and amateurs. The event also features live music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities, all free to attend.

The exhibition helping one nail tech realise she was an artist all along

Hull-based nail tech Lucy Allman, who never considered herself an artist, was recruited by curator Lucy Brooke to participate in an art exhibition titled "Mother," organized by The Feminine Urge Collective. Allman created a series of unique nail art pieces using mixed media, including her children's hair and 3D clay, exploring themes of childhood, teenage years, and motherhood. The exhibition runs from 1-17 May 2026 at a pop-up space on Pier Street in Hull.

Open Air/Open Space Art Exhibition at the Wayrick Wildlife Art Gallery

The Wayrick Wildlife Art Gallery at the Schermann Hoffman's Nature Center in Somerset County, New Jersey, is hosting the "Open Air/Open Space" juried art exhibition from February 6 through March 25. The show features works by professional and novice New Jersey Plein Air artists, celebrating the county's Open Space Preservation Program and its public park system.

Arte Museum Las Vegas debuts BTS immersive exhibit as part of citywide 'The City' project

Arte Museum Las Vegas has launched a BTS-themed immersive exhibition titled "ARTE MUSEUM X BTS THE CITY ARIRANG," running from May 20 to June 17, 2026. Produced by digital design company d'strict, the exhibition is part of "THE CITY," a larger project connecting multiple urban locations with BTS's tour period. The installation pairs digital visual works with tracks from BTS's fifth studio album, ARIRANG, and includes a retitled "ARIRANG GARDEN" zone featuring five media art pieces. The exhibition opens a week before BTS's Las Vegas concert dates (May 23–28) and extends two weeks after.

Malibu’s downtown park will become an art gallery this summer

Malibu’s downtown Legacy Park will transform into an open-air art gallery this summer through a series of free monthly Art Walk events. Organized by the Malibu Arts Association and hosted by the City of Malibu Arts Commission, the pop-up market runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on five Sundays (May 17, June 14, July 12, Aug. 9, and Sept. 13), featuring local artists selling original works including oil paintings, watercolors, photography, sculpture, and prints inspired by the seaside city. Some proceeds benefit local high school students.

These colors will enchant you. An exhibition of Niehliubka weavers opened at the Art Museum

On May 7, the National Art Museum of Belarus opened the exhibition "Harmony of the World of Niehliubka Weavers," showcasing traditional weaving from the village of Niehliubka in the Vetka District. The display features about 50 textile works from the museum's collection, along with tools, rare costume elements, and photographs provided by the Belarusian State Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life and the Vetka Museum of Old Believer and Belarusian Traditions named after Shklyarau. This tradition, which originated in the 17th century, includes towels, clothing, and interior items made with original weaving and embroidery techniques.

Nuit Blanche 2026: discover the exhibitions and installations from art galleries and cultural centers!

Nuit Blanche 2026 returns to Paris on Saturday, June 6, transforming the city into an open-air museum for a night of contemporary art. The event invites visitors to explore exhibitions and installations hosted by Parisian art galleries and cultural centers, including venues like Fluctuart and Galerie Saint-Séverin. Attendees can meet artists, participate in creative workshops, and experience art in public spaces throughout the night.

You're invited to a pop-up gallery & urban art fair in Salt Lake City's Central 9th neighborhood

A pop-up gallery and urban art fair will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in the shared alleyway between Scion Cider and Laziz Kitchen on Jefferson Street in Salt Lake City's Central 9th neighborhood, from noon to 6 PM. The event features limited edition framed street photography, Plein Air paintings, watercolors, still life images, and mixed media pieces for sale, all depicting indoor and outdoor scenes from the neighborhood. Interactive stations include a Sip & Paint Class led by artist Ammy Foste and a pop-up photo booth by the SLC Photo Community. The event is hosted by Scion Cider, created through the city's ACE Grant Fund for Arts, Culture & Entertainment, and supported by the Intermountain Artist Society, the Utah Watercolor Society, and the SLC Photo Community.

Le dimore storiche sono il più vasto e straordinario museo diffuso d’Italia. Una giornata per celebrarle

On Sunday, May 24, 2026, Italian historic homes will open their doors free to the public as part of the 16th National Day promoted by ADSI – Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane. The 2025 edition involved over 500 properties and more than 250,000 visitors, highlighting the widespread cultural heritage across Italy. The article argues that this event is not merely cultural or tourist-oriented but raises broader questions about the future of Italy's fragile territories and the need for a cohesive national strategy for territorial rebalancing.

The church, the village, the park. FAI's 'Places of the Heart' returns to save ruins

La chiesa, il borgo, il parco. Tornano i Luoghi del Cuore del FAI per salvare i beni in rovina

The Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano (FAI) has launched the 13th edition of its "Luoghi del Cuore" (Places of the Heart) initiative, a biennial census that invites Italians to vote for cultural heritage sites most in need of restoration. Since 2003, the campaign has collected over 13.5 million votes, with the 2024 edition alone receiving more than 2.3 million votes for over 41,000 sites across 6,508 municipalities. The initiative has funded 180 recovery projects, 40% of which involve churches, followed by environmental, architectural, and archaeological assets. Notable successes include the Church of San Pietro dei Samari in Gallipoli, the Oratorio del Sasso in Orasso, and the Complesso di Sant’Angelo Magno in Ascoli Piceno.

During the Venice Biennale there is also the Ibiza Pavilion, inside a takeaway pizzeria

Durante la Biennale di Venezia c’è anche il Padiglione Ibiza, dentro una pizzeria da asporto

During the Venice Art Biennale, an independent project called the Ibiza Pavilion opens from May 7 to 9, 2026, inside Pizza al Volo, a popular takeaway pizzeria in Campo Santa Margherita, Dorsoduro. Conceived and curated by Margherita Chiarva with support from Victoria Genzini and Gabriele Della Maddalena, the three-day initiative features a group exhibition, performances, collective embroidery, tarot readings, and somatic practices by international artists connected to Ibiza through experience or collaboration, including Noemi Manser, Beatrice Dettori, Liz Kueneke, COSIMA, and Maria Giulia Alvigini.

Golden Lions of the Biennale voted by the public? 7 reasons why they cannot work

Leoni d’Oro della Biennale votati dal pubblico? 7 motivi per cui non possono funzionare

On April 30, 2026, the International Jury of the Venice Art Biennale resigned en masse. In response, the Biennale Foundation hastily announced a new initiative called the "Visitor Lions" (Leoni dei Visitatori), where paying visitors would vote to award the Golden Lions for best artist and best national participation. The voting system would rely on ticket tracking to verify attendance at the main venues, the Giardini and the Arsenale. However, just a week before the public opening, no further details had been released, raising numerous practical concerns about the mechanism's feasibility.

Veneto: In Place of a Liberty Café in Recoaro Terme, a Contemporary Art Center Opens. Interview with the Curator

Veneto: al posto di un caffè liberty di Recoaro Terme apre un centro d’arte contemporanea. Intervista alla curatrice

The historic Palazzo Caffè Nazionale in Recoaro Terme, a small spa town in the Veneto region of Italy, is being transformed into a contemporary art center called Cantiere del Contemporaneo, set to open on May 2, 2026. The project, curated by Elisabetta Bacchin, will focus on artist residencies, with the inaugural group including Romesh Bothalage, Pietro Chiarello, Francesco Pizzocchero, and Virginia Stevenin, who will work for two months in the converted spaces. The initiative is part of a broader regeneration plan funded by the National Plan for Borghi and the European Union's PNRR funds, aiming to revitalize the town's cultural and economic identity through contemporary art.

SouthSide Works lands pop-up gallery focused on manufacturing and art

A new pop-up gallery focused on the intersection of manufacturing and art will open at SouthSide Works on May 21 and operate throughout the summer. The space complements an existing gallery in the Hill District, aiming to bridge industrial heritage with contemporary artistic expression.

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.

2026 Artist Cohort exhibition from Hammerspace Gallery opens with "Still, I try"

Hammerspace Gallery in Grand Rapids is opening a new pop-up exhibition titled "Still, I try" on May 9, 2026, at Do Not Start's space on Godfrey Avenue. This marks the first show in the gallery's 2026 Artist Cohort Showcase, a year-long program supporting emerging and mid-career artists through community feedback and professional development. The family-friendly event includes hands-on art activities and light snacks, with free admission and suggested donations.

Madras art gallery celebrates four decades with local artists showcase

The Art Adventure Gallery in Madras, Oregon, is celebrating its 40th anniversary on May 7th with a special event from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The gallery opened in 1986 after a Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce art show revealed strong community interest but no permanent exhibition space. The anniversary event will showcase work from local artists, including the Tananáwit artist community of Warm Springs, and the first 40 attendees will receive free ice cream in hand-made ceramic bowls.

Tiverton's 'Art in Bloom' exhibition blends flowers and art

Four Corners Gallery in Tiverton, Rhode Island, is partnering with the Sogkonate Garden Club for an exhibition titled "Art in Bloom," running June 12–14, 2026. Garden club members will create floral arrangements inspired by specific artworks, interpreting their colors, texture, brushstrokes, mood, and emotional resonance. A reception on June 12 will feature music, refreshments, and opportunities to meet the artists and garden club members.

Arte Museum launches immersive BTS exhibition inspired by 'Arirang'

Arte Museum in Las Vegas has opened "Arte Museum X BTS The City Arirang," an immersive exhibition created in partnership with Hybe's citywide fan experience project "The City." The show, launched on Wednesday ahead of a BTS concert in the city, centers on BTS's fifth studio album "Arirang" and translates its themes into multisensory visual installations. Operated by Seoul-based digital design company D'strict, the exhibition features five signature media artworks including "No. 29" and a new edition of the iconic "Wave" installation titled "Arirang Wave." The exhibition will travel to Busan and New York after its Las Vegas run through June 17.

Artspace Gallery presents ‘Dissonance’ exhibition

Artspace Gallery in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, has opened a new exhibition titled “Dissonance,” featuring works by member artist Jermaine Johnson. The show is dedicated to Johnson’s late mother, Tanya, who passed away in 2023. A public reception will be held on Saturday, May 30, from 4-6 p.m. at the gallery, located at 221 Center St., where the artist will be present to discuss his work. Johnson, an oil painter, wire weaver, and fiber artist educated at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, explores themes of media, spirituality, race, history, and popular culture through mixed-media pieces that incorporate water-mixable oils, paper, natural and synthetic fibers, semi-precious stones, and copper wire.

Redwood Art Association Hosting Artist’s Choice Exhibition May 26-June 19

The Redwood Art Association Gallery in Eureka, California, is hosting the Artist’s Choice Exhibition from May 26 through June 19, 2026. Online entry is open until May 22, with physical entry day on May 23. Lindsay Kessner will serve as the judge for this year's exhibition, which has transitioned from a visitor-voted favorite to a judged format due to popular demand.

SIUC’s Sharp Museum accepting submissions for cryptid-themed art exhibition

Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Sharp Museum is seeking submissions for a national juried exhibition titled "Spooks or Spoofs," focused on cryptid-themed art. The exhibition runs from August 11 through December 21, accepts all media except AI-generated images, and allows up to 50 entries with a $5-$10 donation per submission. The deadline for submissions is July 1, with jury results posted by July 14 and artwork drop-off due by August 11.

American anti-war pop art goes on display in Tehran

An exhibition of American anti-war pop art has opened in Tehran, Iran, featuring works that critique war and militarism through the lens of popular culture. The show brings together iconic pieces from American artists known for their anti-war stance, displayed in a country that has long been subject to U.S. sanctions and political tensions.

Without Its Expert Jury, Venice Biennale Lets the Public Choose Its Prize Winners

The Venice Biennale has announced that for its 2026 edition, it will eliminate the traditional expert jury and instead allow the general public to vote for the prize winners. This marks a radical departure from the event's century-old practice of relying on a panel of art-world professionals to select the Golden Lion and other awards. The decision aims to democratize the selection process and engage a broader audience beyond the art establishment.