Artist to Watch: Hugo Toro Explores Origin, Belonging, and Identity in Emotionally-Charged Paintings

French-Mexican artist Hugo Toro is debuting his first solo art exhibition in the United States at Perrotin New York on May 20, 2026. The show features over a dozen paintings and sculptures that explore themes of origin, belonging, and identity, with water serving as a recurring metaphor for memory. Toro, who also works in architecture and interior design, describes his creative process as instinctive, starting from emotional impulses and moving from abstraction toward figuration.

SPAIN ORIOL VILANOVA AND THE ABOLITION OF THE MUSEUM AND THE ARCHIVE

The Spanish Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale presents "Los restos," a project by Catalan artist Oriol Vilanova, curated by Carles Guerra. The installation transforms the pavilion into an anti-museum or pseudo-museum, featuring Vilanova's collection of postcards sourced from flea markets over more than twenty years. The work critiques traditional archival systems through accumulation, repetition, and fragmentation, and includes a publication and a performative action titled "El fantasma de la libertad" (2026), inspired by Luis Buñuel, which will take place across the Giardini and Arsenale.

Spain: Oriol Vilanova and the Abolition of the Museum and the Archive

ESPANA ORIOL VILANOVA Y LA ABOLICION DEL MUSEO Y EL ARCHIVO

The Spanish Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale presents "Los restos," a project by Catalan artist Oriol Vilanova, curated by Carles Guerra. The installation transforms the pavilion into an anti-museum or pseudo-museum, featuring over twenty years of postcards collected from flea markets, arranged in a wall-based accumulation that challenges linear narrative and archival hierarchy. The project also includes a publication and a performative action titled "El fantasma de la libertad" (2026), inspired by Luis Buñuel, which will take place across the Giardini and Arsenale through unannounced encounters.

Opening Reception: Tallahassee Watercolor Society's 2026 Tri-State Annual Juried Water Media Exhibition

The Tallahassee Watercolor Society (TaWS) is hosting the opening reception for its 2026 Tri-State Annual Juried Water Media Exhibition on May 28, 2026, at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts in Tallahassee, Florida. The exhibition features works by local artists from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, and is juried by nationally renowned watercolor artist Don Andrews, a past board director of the American Watercolor Society whose paintings have earned multiple awards including three from the American Watercolor Society and two Best of Show awards from the New England Watercolor Society.

The annual Deck Art exhibition in stores throughout downtown Rochester

The 16th annual Rochester Deck Art exhibition opened on May 19, 2026, in downtown Rochester, Michigan, displaying skateboard artworks created by artists ranging from elementary school students to adults. The exhibition features multiple categories and is hosted in storefronts and windows throughout the city, with works such as Michelle Villette's first-place winner and Claire LaMontagne's "Phoenix Rising" on view.

NHAA's Loud & Proud Opening Reception

The New Hampshire Art Association (NHAA) presents its annual regional Pride exhibition, Loud & Proud, at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery in Portsmouth, NH, from June 3 to 28, 2026. The show features LGBTQIA+ and allied artists from across New England, exploring themes of identity, visibility, joy, and resilience. A central component is Open Book, a collaborative project with NH Outright, where queer teens created sculptural accordion books guided by teaching artist Cara Cabral, displayed alongside the main exhibition.

Arts Festival – Call For Artists

The Voice of the Valley newspaper has issued a call for artists to participate in an upcoming Arts Festival scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14, 2026. The festival will feature a juried art exhibit, a saloon art exhibit, a textile exhibition, children and youth exhibits, and free dance and music performances, along with an MV Idol, Jr. performance after the parade.

West Kootenay Camera Club opening show at Castlegar art gallery

The West Kootenay Camera Club is hosting its 35th Annual Photo Show at the Kootenay Gallery of Art in Castlegar from June 4-13, 2026. The exhibition features judged photo entries across categories such as nature, human interest, places and landscapes, creative, black and white, after dark, and alternate media, with an opening reception on June 4 from 5-7 p.m.

Five-Minute Tours: Ana Stapleton at Red & White Gallery, Fayetteville

Ana Stapleton's exhibition "Persona" is on view at Red & White Gallery in Fayetteville, Texas, from March 7 to May 3, 2026. The show features recent paintings by the Austin-based artist that explore the tension between cultural expectations and authentic self-expression, particularly around growing up Mexican female.

20 artisti lavoreranno in 20 paesini remoti di 20 regioni italiane. La rassegna che porta l’arte contemporanea nei borghi torna per il settimo anno

The seventh edition of "Una Boccata d'Arte," an initiative by Fondazione Elpis, will bring contemporary art to 20 remote villages across all 20 Italian regions. Twenty artists, each paired with a curator, will create site-specific projects that will be inaugurated simultaneously on June 20-21, 2026, and remain on view until October 4. A key innovation this year is that artists and curators spent extra time engaging with local communities before designing their works, fostering deeper connections. Examples include Greek artist Vasilis Papageorgiu transforming a traditional tablecloth from a resident of Tredozio, and Francesco Alberico collaborating with a socio-health facility in Bressanone to create a bird-themed installation.

Santarcangelo Festival 2026: The Village Fills with Performances, Speaking of the Body as a Political Space Under Pressure

Santarcangelo Festival 2026, il borgo che si riempie di performance parlando di corpo come spazio politico sotto pressione

The 56th edition of the Santarcangelo Festival, titled "Deep Pressures," will take place from July 3 to 12, 2026, in the historic town of Santarcangelo, Italy. Curated by Tomasz Kirenczuk in his final year as artistic director, the festival transforms the town into a "city-festival" with over 100 events including performances, concerts, and participatory practices. The program explores the body as a political space under pressure—from geopolitical conflict and colonial legacies to emotional and social tensions. Key works include "In relation to whom?" by Palestinian artists Marah Haj Hussein and Nur Garabli, "When I Saw the Sea" by Lebanese choreographer Ali Chahrour, and "Homem Novo" by Mozambican artist Yuck Miranda, among others. The festival was presented at Mambo in Bologna, with Kirenczuk emphasizing that the role of the festival is to be unsettling, not reassuring.

Padua Airport Wants to Become a Cultural Hub

L’aeroporto di Padova vuole diventare un hub culturale

Padua's Gino Allegri Airport, historically used for military purposes and now partially repurposed for commercial and tourist flights, is transforming into a cultural hub. In December 2024, the Terminal Urbano opened inside the airport, a multifunctional space created by Heron Air (the private flight company that has managed the airport since 2021 under a 20-year concession). The space includes the Himmelmann exhibition area for temporary shows, performances, and conferences, and features permanent works such as Sergio Rodella's "Icaro." Now, the airport is moving to phase two: a massive renovation of former military hangars, set to begin by 2026, which will demolish old helicopter offices, refurbish the first hangar, and restore the former Aeroclub building. Some spaces will be sold to private entities, while others will be dedicated to public, non-profit artistic, and educational projects.

In Pompeii, an immersive experience is born that takes visitors back to 79 AD. Here's how it works

A Pompei nasce un’esperienza immersiva che riporta i visitatori proprio al 79 d.C. Ecco come funziona

A new immersive experience called Discovery Pompeii Alive is set to open in June 2026 at the MaxiMall Pompeii, just steps from the archaeological site of Pompeii. Developed by 3DBA and managed by Irgenre Group in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, the project uses multisensory technology, spatial sound design, and interactive devices to transport visitors back to the hours before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The experience aims to reconstruct daily life in ancient Pompeii—its villas, public spaces, and homes—culminating in the eruption itself, blending historical reconstruction with emotional engagement.

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.

A Fiumicino torna la open call per artisti emergenti che trasforma spazi commerciali in culturali

The WOW SIDE shopping centre in Fiumicino, Italy, has launched an open call for emerging artists as part of its PostArt project, now in its second edition. The 2026 theme is "La Voce" (The Voice), inviting artists to create works during a residency inside the shopping centre from June 26 to 28, 2026. The call is open until May 30, 2026, and selected works will be exhibited in the centre's galleries.

Captured in Escalante: Art Festival Invites Artists and Visitors This September

The Escalante Canyons Art Festival returns September 18–27, 2026, in Southern Utah, inviting artists and visitors to engage with the landscape through plein air painting, studio submissions, and special categories like nocturne and miniature works. The festival offers over $10,000 in prizes, including a Best of Show purchase award of $1,500, and features a dedicated junior division with no entry fee. Highlights include the Escalante 150th Anniversary Paint-Out, workshops, live music, judges’ talks, historic walking tours, and a play by local playwright Raymond Shurtz, all set near the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument.

Keokuk School District to open art gallery

The Keokuk Community School District in Iowa plans to open a new art gallery in fall 2026, featuring student work and organized by the Keokuk High School Art Department. The gallery will be located in the same building as the Collaboration Center in the district's new central office at 420 N. 17th St. in Keokuk. To fund display items such as frames, pedestals, and presentation equipment, the Art Department is hosting a fundraiser with sponsorship levels ranging from $250 to over $1,000, offering recognition opportunities for donors.

Cuzco Time Capsule

Soho Photo Gallery in New York is presenting "Cuzco Time Capsule," an exhibition of 18 black-and-white photographs by Michael Page Miller, taken in 1972 during his travels in highland Peru. The images capture laborers, craftsmen, market vendors, and Quechua people in and around Cuzco, shot with a 35mm Nikkormat and Tri-X film. The show runs from May 20 to June 14, 2026, with each print priced at $600.

Landscape, colour and imagination celebrated at Armstrong art gallery

The Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum & Art Gallery in British Columbia is opening a dual exhibition on May 28, 2026, featuring the Shuswap Plein Air Troupe and artist Nancy Vince. The Main Gallery presents "Together: From There to Here," a group show by Diane Akey, Maureen Howard, and Patricia L. Smith, who paint together as the Plein Air Troupe, capturing landscapes with varied textures and emotional depth. In the Freeze Gallery, "A Touch of Whimsy" showcases Vince's high-definition metal prints filled with vibrant, playful imagery of flowers, cottages, and lakeside scenes. The exhibition runs through June 27, with a reception on opening night.

Open exhibition returns to celebrate artists across the region

The Hastings Open, a flagship exhibition founded in 2020, will return in 2026 at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, showcasing emerging and established artists from the South East region. The open call closes on July 19, 2025, and the winner will receive a solo exhibition at the museum in 2028/29. The exhibition features work in painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, video, and other media, with partnerships including The blackShed Gallery.

Fabio Adani investigates the perception of reality in his exhibition at Salamon Fine Art

Salamon Fine Art gallery in Milan is hosting Fabio Adani's solo exhibition 'Silentium fin che parli' from May 16 to June 4, 2026. The show explores the perceptual transformation of reality through painting, graphite, and the written word, emphasizing allusion over direct representation. The exhibition includes a critical text by Beatrice Gardella and prose and poetry by Elisabetta Amaini, featuring works inspired by natural environments that invite viewers to engage in an open-ended process of interpretation.

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.

Kazuhiro Nomura: Monad @ HARMAS GALLERY

野村和弘：モナド @ HARMAS GALLERY

Japanese artist Kazuhiro Nomura is presenting a solo exhibition titled "Monad" at HARMAS GALLERY in Tokyo, running from April 4 to May 16, 2026. The show features a series of works including the titular piece "Monad" (2026), alongside earlier works such as "juno (B)" (2006) and "eva's breast" (2009), as documented in a photo report by ART iT.

Hwaseung, a representative company in Busan, will participate as an official partner of Art Busan.Hw..

Hwaseung, a major company based in Busan, has announced its participation as an official partner of Art Busan 2026, an art fair held at BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1 from May 22 to 24. The company will debut "Gallery Hwaseung One," a platform showcasing works by young artists with developmental disabilities, including Hwang Sung-je, Yoon Jin-seok, and Shim Seung-bo—artists hired by Hwaseung. The gallery aims to support these artists and continue social contribution activities in culture and arts.

Gallery Opening: Art Youth Expo 15 | Hazleton, PA | NEPA Events

The Hazleton Art League in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, will host the Gallery Opening for Art Youth Expo 15 on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This annual arts competition showcases work from local emerging artists aged 13 to 30, offering them a platform to display their creativity and gain community recognition. The opening reception includes light refreshments and is free to attend.

Opening Reception – Things Don’t Seem The Same: 2026 MFA Thesis Exhibition

The USF School of Art & Art History is hosting the opening reception for its 2026 MFA Thesis Exhibition, titled "Things Don’t Seem The Same," on April 3, 2026. The event celebrates seven MFA candidates—Enoch Appiah, Mike Cannata, Patrick Michael Carew, Darlene Gold, Atia Shafie, Diana Sosnowska, and Brogan Willis—with introductions, an awards ceremony, and ArtHouse XXVI featuring open studios, live music, food, and exhibitions.

KIDOOO INSTALL DAY

Maryland Art Place (MAP) is hosting KIDOOO INSTALL DAY on Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 12 pm to 4 pm, a youth version of its annual Out of Order event. Elementary, middle, and high school artists ages five to sixteen are invited to hang one original framed work (24" x 24" or less) on a first-come, first-served basis at MAP's 5th floor Gallery in Baltimore's Bromo Arts and Entertainment District. Registration is free, and all works must be priced to sell, with a silent auction taking place virtually on April 10, 2026.

New Atlantic Beach art exhibition highlights women’s contributions, history

The Skillern Family Art Museum in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina, has reopened for the 2026 season with a new exhibition titled “Beyond the Gaze.” The show highlights artwork and historical pieces centered on the African American diaspora and Indigenous women’s experiences, achievements, and contributions. Co-owners Carmelia Scott-Skillern and Elliot Skillern aim to share untold stories and provide deeper historical context behind the art.

Art exhibits, farmers market and hospital safety award: THE DIGEST

Gallery 22 in Staunton, Virginia, has opened a new exhibit titled 'Art as Exploration,' located at 22 W. Beverley Street. The show runs through June 1, 2026, and is part of a local arts digest that also includes a farmers market and a hospital safety award.