Ron Nagle in Milan: at Gió Marconi the first Italian solo exhibition 'Phantom Banter'

Gió Marconi Gallery in Milan will host 'Phantom Banter', the first Italian solo exhibition of American sculptor Ron Nagle, from May 29 to July 24, 2026. The show features eleven ceramic sculptures created between 2024 and 2026, along with a selection of recent drawings, highlighting Nagle's process-oriented practice focused on material, surface, and language. Nagle, born in San Francisco in 1939, is a key figure in the California Clay Movement, having apprenticed with Peter Voulkos in the 1960s and influenced by Ken Price. His small-scale works, rarely exceeding 15 centimeters, explore reduction of scale and surface construction through cast and fired ceramics combined with resins and synthetic materials.

The art of unlearning

Quddus Mirza’s latest exhibition, "New Works" at Canvas Gallery in Karachi, marks a significant stylistic shift as the veteran artist, critic, and educator embraces the concept of "unlearning." Drawing inspiration from the raw honesty of children's drawings, Mirza presents twelve striking paintings that shed academic discipline in favor of blunt expression and intuitive mark-making. The works frequently utilize a dominant red palette to signal urgency, revolution, and bloodshed, juxtaposing domestic imagery with symbols of global unrest.

Danny McBride's company is partnering with Hed Hi Studio on a new project. Here's what to expect.

Danny McBride’s production company, Rough House Pictures, has announced a partnership with Charleston-based art space Hed Hi Studio to launch a series of unconventional, short-lived art exhibitions throughout 2026. The collaboration kicks off in April with a showcase of hand-painted Ghanaian movie posters from Deadly Prey Gallery, followed by exhibitions featuring Brooklyn artist Jake Plissken and animator Jay Howell. These events are designed as "ephemeral" experiences, often lasting only four hours to emphasize the beauty of impermanence.

A Large Dalpayrat Jardinière Acquired by Orsay

Une grande jardinière de Dalpayrat acquise par Orsay

The Musée d'Orsay in Paris has acquired a large jardinière (planter) by French ceramicist Adrien Dalpayrat, along with a jewelry coffer by Henri-Auguste Fourdinois. The purchases were made from a sale at Hôtel Drouot by the Thierry de Maigret auction house, where the museum notably did not exercise preemption rights on other works by Jean-Marie Pointu, Eugène Lion, and Paul Jeanneney. The museum justified its inaction by citing the cost of these two acquisitions.

manhattan da office repatriates artifacts peru

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office returned eight artifacts to Peru during a ceremony at the Peruvian consulate in New York on May 15. The repatriated items include funerary objects illegally taken from tombs in northern Peru during the 1960s and ’70s, a copper mask believed to represent the Moche deity Ai Apaec (circa 300 BCE) from the looted Loma Negra site, and a ceramic portrait vessel from the Chavín culture (1000–700 BCE). This is the second time New York officials have returned a group of works to Peru.

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock opens annual youth exhibition

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock opened its 65th annual Young Arkansas Artists exhibition on Saturday, showcasing over 50 student artworks selected by a panel of museum and art professionals. The exhibition, on view through July 26 at the Robyn and John Horn Gallery, features four works per grade from kindergarten through 12th grade, using media ranging from charcoal and watercolor to linoleum print and glazed ceramics. Awards included $25 gift certificates to BLICK Art Materials for each featured student, a $200 award for submitting educators, and special recognitions such as the Mid-Southern Watercolorists' Suzann Waggoner Memorial Award and the AMFA Docents' Recognition Award. Best in Class winners, like kindergartner Levi Splawn and fifth grader Blair Allen, received free summer camp sessions at the museum.

Groundwork: Watershed Staff Exhibition Opening Reception

Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, Maine, is hosting the opening reception of "Groundwork," a multi-medium gallery exhibition featuring work by the center's year-round and seasonal staff. The event takes place on June 5, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with drinks and light snacks. Artists include Jen Barrows, Torie Crouse, Matthew Dercole, David S. East, Jeremy Felton, Aidan Fraser, Callie Jacks, Helena Jefferson, Emmett Jorgensen, Every Leclair, Milly McClellan, Layla Trunzo, and Eloise Warren.

Huang Yulong 黄玉龙 | Top Dog (2020) | For Sale

Chinese artist Huang Yulong's 2020 sculpture 'Top Dog' is being offered for sale through NextStreet Gallery in Paris. The limited-edition aluminum work, measuring 80 × 50 × 30 cm, is hand-signed by the artist and includes a certificate of authenticity. Huang, born in 1983 in Anhui Province and a graduate of the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, is known for his sculptures of Buddhas in hoodies that blend Eastern tradition with Western contemporary style. The work is listed on Artsy with a price-on-request basis.

Q&A: Laura Pass Barry

Laura Pass Barry has been appointed the Carlisle H. Humelsine chief curator at Colonial Williamsburg, a role that expands her responsibilities to include leadership of Collections, Conservation and Museums as vice president. Barry began her career at Colonial Williamsburg over 30 years ago as a curatorial intern in folk art, later working as assistant curator to Margaret Pritchard and eventually overseeing the graphics, paintings, and folk art collections. She holds degrees from the College of Wooster and the College of William & Mary.

Internationally renowned artist to headline new exhibition

Internationally renowned ceramic artist Jin Eui Kim will present his exhibition "Simplicity and Complexity" at The Base, Greenham, from June 26 to August 30. The show features sculptural works exploring illusion and reality, alongside a program of workshops and an evening talk with the artist. Kim, originally from South Korea and now based in Cardiff, holds an MA and PhD in ceramics from Cardiff School of Art & Design, and his work is held in major public collections including Manchester Art Gallery and the National Museum Wales.

Art Formes Presents A multi-disciplinary group exhibition curated by Jean Dreyer

Art Formes presents a multi-disciplinary group exhibition curated by Jean Dreyer at The Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town, running from 16 April to 11 June 2026. The show features 21 artists including Maja Marx, Katherine Glenday, Gerhard Marx, and others, with works that explore themes of soil, text, and interconnection through painting, ceramics, and sculpture. The exhibition emphasizes dialogue between works and the gallery's architecture, with a press release highlighting the gallery's focus on contemporary African sculpture.

San Francisco artist Ana Teresa Fernandez's Chicago exhibit, 'Under Pressure,' is a call to climate action

San Francisco-based artist Ana Teresa Fernández has opened a solo exhibition titled 'Under Pressure' at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. The four-year project features a range of works, including detailed oil paintings and a sculptural piece, all centered on the theme of water and climate change. A key performance element involved Fernández leading hundreds of participants on Chicago's lakefront to form a giant S.O.S. signal using mirrors, a 'social monument' she previously staged in California.

Graduates’ artwork showcased at Tarble during studio art exhibition

The Tarble Arts Center hosted the opening reception for the 2026 Master of Arts in Studio Art Exhibition, featuring thesis projects from 11 graduate students. The exhibition showcased a diverse range of mediums, including an immersive installation by Vitória Kazanovski that recreated her grandmother’s Brazilian kitchen using audio and textured cookbooks, and a ceramic series by Wendy Peters that highlighted the technical mistakes and evolution of her craft.

Never Spoken Again Exhibition at the Weisman Challenges Museum Norms

The Weisman Art Museum is hosting "Never Spoken Again: Rogue Curatorial Strategies," a traveling exhibition that critically examines the history of institutional collecting. Curated by David Ayala-Alfonso, the show features works by international artists that investigate how objects are acquired, categorized, and displayed, often highlighting the colonial and exploitative practices embedded in museum traditions.

Brooklyn Museum Presents Hopi Kachina Dolls: Blessings for a Balanced World

The Brooklyn Museum has announced a landmark exhibition titled "Hopi Kachina Dolls: Blessings for a Balanced World," scheduled to open in October 2026. Featuring over 120 objects ranging from the 19th century to the present, the show draws from the museum's extensive Indigenous art collection alongside contemporary loans of ceramics, textiles, and jewelry. The presentation is uniquely structured around the life stages of Hopi women—from infancy to marriage—and includes newly commissioned video interviews with community members.

Art Notes: AVA Gallery's 18th Annual High School Exhibition

The AVA Gallery and Art Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, recently opened its 18th annual high school exhibition, featuring over 100 artworks from students across 14 Upper Valley schools. The exhibition showcases a diverse range of media, including ceramics, digital collage, and painting, with awards granted across multiple disciplines. While some critics noted a shift toward more traditional classroom assignments compared to previous years, the show remains a vital platform for young artists to express personal and social commentary.

Creativity through adversity: Kansas exhibition explores Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani's life and work

The Spencer Museum of Art in Kansas is presenting the largest exhibition to date of work by Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani, an artist who faced incarceration and homelessness. The show, titled 'Street Nihonga: The Art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani,' features drawings, collages, and mixed media works that explore themes of displacement, trauma, and resilience.

New Rocky Mount Art Venue Celebrates With Gallery Opening

The Tar River Art Gallery in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, is hosting a winter exhibit opening and public reception on February 22, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Dunn Center on the campus of North Carolina Wesleyan University. The exhibition features works from over 40 regional artists, including paintings, watercolors, pen-and-ink works, collages, assemblages, ceramic sculpture, metal art, fused glass, and handcrafted jewelry. The event is free and open to the public, with light refreshments and opportunities to meet the artists. The gallery builds on the legacy of the former Gravely Gallery, honoring Janice Gravely, and now offers expanded space for a broader range of mediums.

A New Art Exhibition In Paris Celebrates The 80th Anniversary Of The Little Prince

A group exhibition titled “One Rose, A Thousand Worlds” opens at A2Z Art Gallery in Paris from February 12 to March 14, 2026, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the first French publication of Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s *The Little Prince*. Conceived with the Antoine de Saint Exupéry Youth Foundation, the show features 17 Asian and French artists—including Alain Delsalle, Shiori Eda, and Jihee Han—who reinterpret the tale through painting, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media, focusing on themes of love, responsibility, exile, and memory.

Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center presents Annual Juried Exhibition 2026

Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center on Maui is presenting its Annual Juried Exhibition from January 16 to February 20, 2026. The open-theme show features works in ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, photography, painting, digital media, jewelry, Hawaiian cultural arts, wood, fiber, and more, juried by Denise Karabinus, Executive Director of Honolulu Printmakers. The exhibition opens with a juror walkthrough and reception on January 16, and artists from Maui and beyond were invited to submit work created within the past two years.

How ‘archaeological ceramicist’ Yasmin Smith has forever changed the way I look at flint

Yasmin Smith, an Australian artist described as an 'archaeological ceramicist,' presents her solo exhibition *Elemental Life* at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) in Sydney, running until June 8. The show features sculptural installations that use ceramics and glaze technologies to decode environmental and human histories. Key works include *Seine River Basin (2019)*, commissioned by the Centre Pompidou, which uses ash-glazed stoneware replicas of tree branches to reflect the chemical history of the River Seine, and *Chicxulub (2025)*, which draws on samples from the asteroid impact crater in Mexico to explore mass extinction. Smith’s practice involves extensive field research and collaboration with ecologists, archaeologists, and local communities, creating site-specific glazes that act as chemical records of place and time.

Louvre closes gallery ‘until further notice’ citing structural problems

The Musée du Louvre in Paris has closed its Campana Gallery, which houses nine rooms of ancient Greek ceramics, after a technical report revealed structural weaknesses in beams supporting the second floor of the Sully Wing. The gallery will remain closed 'until further notice' as a precaution, and 65 staff members will be relocated, though the artworks will not be moved. The closure comes amid the Louvre's ambitious New Renaissance renovation project, announced by French President Emmanuel Macron, which includes a new visitor entrance under the Perrault Colonnade by 2031 and is now valued at €1.15bn.

In historic move, MFA Boston returns works by 19th-century enslaved artist David Drake to his heirs

The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston has agreed to return two 1857 ceramic jars by David Drake, an enslaved Black potter, to his living descendants. One vessel will remain on loan to the museum for at least two years, while the other—the "Poem Jar"—has been purchased back by the MFA from the heirs for an undisclosed sum, now carrying a "certificate of ethical ownership." The museum acknowledges that Drake created the works involuntarily and without compensation, marking the first time the MFA has resolved a claim for art wrongfully taken under U.S. slavery.

Makers of Ancient Egypt to be hailed in Cambridge exhibition

The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge is opening an exhibition titled "Made in Ancient Egypt" that shifts focus from pharaohs and iconic treasures to the anonymous craftspeople who built and decorated the civilization's artifacts. Featuring loans from the British Museum, Berlin State Museums, and the Musée du Louvre, the show includes jewelry, ceramics, stonework, and personal items like ostraca—pottery shards used as notepads—that reveal the lives, skills, and even the days off of ancient makers. Curator Helen Strudwick highlights recent discoveries, including a handprint on a "soul house" and an unreadable signature on a shrine, emphasizing the human connection these objects provide.

FSU MoFA exhibition examines Indigenous relationships with water

Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts (MoFA) has opened "Water Ways: Indigenous Ecologies and Florida Heritage," an exhibition examining Indigenous relationships with water through historical artifacts and contemporary art. Curated by Elizabeth A. Cecil, the show features works by Harold García V (El Quinto), Samboleap Tol, and Wilson Bowers, alongside ancient cypress dugout canoes, ceramics, tools, and a mask from the New Orleans Museum of Art. The exhibition runs from September 18, 2025, to March 14, 2026, with accompanying events including artist talks, a symposium, and a book club.

'Radical' female ceramicists share their stories at the Ackland Art Museum

On August 27, the Ackland Art Museum at the University of North Carolina hosted a panel titled "Artist Conversation: Radical Ceramicists in North Carolina," featuring three female ceramicists: Hitomi Shibata, Isys Hennigar, and Jessica Dupuis. The event was part of programming around the museum's exhibition "Radical Clay," which highlights work by female Japanese ceramicists. Panelists discussed the historical marginalization of women in ceramics—Shibata noted that in 1990s Japan, studios refused to hire women, while Hennigar explained that until the early 20th century in North Carolina, female artists were only allowed to be decorators, not master ceramicists. The conversation also explored how ceramic pieces reflect their geographic origins and the importance of local artistic communities, such as Seagrove, N.C., which has the largest community of potters in the U.S.

Ceramics exhibition opens Dowd Gallery 2025-26 year

Two ceramic artists, Errol Willett and Edward Feldman, opened the 2025-26 exhibition year at SUNY Cortland’s Dowd Fine Arts Gallery with the show “Creating Movement and Flow: A Conversation of Form and Utility.” The exhibition, on view through November 14, 2025, features ceramic works that emphasize motion and process over static objects. A series of free public workshops accompanies the show, including two-part sessions led by Feldman in September and Willett in October, focusing on wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques.

Museum Announces 2025-26 Exhibitions

The Fairfield University Art Museum has announced its 2025-26 exhibition season, featuring three shows tied to the United States semiquincentennial. Two exhibitions open in fall 2025: "Stitching Time: Social Justice Collaboration Quilts Project" and "Give Me Life: CPA Prison Arts Program," showcasing art by incarcerated individuals from Louisiana State Penitentiary and York Correctional Institution; and "Monuments: Commemoration and Controversy," organized by The New York Historical, examining public monuments as sites of debate over national identity and race. In spring 2026, the museum will present "For Which it Stands…," curated by Executive Director Carey Mack Weber, focusing on depictions of the American flag across the last century.

Artist Paul Rucker’s Klan Robes Expose America’s Racist Underbelly

Artist Paul Rucker's exhibition "Rewind Resurrection" returns to New York a decade after its debut, featuring his iconic Klan robes reimagined in bold fabrics like pink, Kente cloth, and camouflage. The show, which was censored at York College of Pennsylvania in 2017 following the Charlottesville white supremacist rally, includes KKK memorabilia, data visualizations of prison proliferation, and wooden relief sculptures honoring victims of racial violence. It is Rucker's first New York show, self-funded in a rented Chelsea gallery, and he hopes an institution will acquire the entire installation.

Newly designed gallery for Applied Arts of Europe opening at Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago will open the newly designed Eloise W. Martin Galleries for the Applied Arts of Europe on July 11, 2025. The 4,500-square-foot space will display over 300 objects from the museum's collections of furniture, silver, ceramics, and glass dating from 1600 to 1900, with 40% more objects on view than previously. Highlights include a carved chair made by Indian artisans for a European merchant, rare Chinese porcelain vases mounted in gilded bronze, and a neo-Gothic sideboard by William Burges. The galleries, designed by Barcelona-based architects Barozzi Veiga, follow a chronological narrative exploring design, craftsmanship, and commerce amid geopolitical shifts and colonialism.