NRW will Verbot für Handel mit Holocaust-Dokumenten

The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is introducing a legislative bill to ban the commercial trade of personal Holocaust documents and artifacts, such as letters from concentration camps, Gestapo cards, and yellow stars. The initiative follows international outrage over a planned auction in Neuss in November 2025, which was halted at the last moment; around 460 objects from that auction were transferred to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation. The bill, to be presented at the Bundesrat session on May 8, aims to prohibit the sale of items directly linked to Nazi victims, while exempting museums, archives, and research institutions.

In Greece, the Thessalonikéon Métropolis Archaeological Museum Opens Its Doors

En Grèce, le musée archéologique Thessalonikéon Métropolis ouvre ses portes

The Thessalonikéon Métropolis archaeological museum opened on May 7 in Thessaloniki, Greece, inside the renovated Pavlos Melas barracks (Building A3). Its collection of over 300,000 objects—including ceramics, jewelry, mosaics, sarcophagi, and architectural fragments—was unearthed during the construction of the city's metro system, which began in 2006 and became the largest rescue excavation in northern Greece. The centerpiece is the Decumanus Maximus, a well-preserved Roman-Byzantine commercial street discovered at the Venizelou station, nicknamed "Byzantine Pompeii." The museum's restoration cost about €14.5 million, partly funded by European Union funds, while the total archaeological interventions cost between €75 and €203 million.

Aristophil : Gérard Lhéritier obtient une peine aménagée

Gérard Lhéritier, founder of the investment firm Aristophil, has had his prison sentence reduced to two years under electronic monitoring after pleading guilty in a French plea-bargaining procedure. Originally sentenced in December 2025 to five years in prison for fraud, Lhéritier's scheme involved selling shares in manuscripts and historical documents, causing losses estimated at several hundred million euros to nearly 18,000 investors.

Iran Absent from the Venice Biennale

L’Iran absent de la Biennale de Venise

Iran will be absent from the 2026 Venice Biennale, marking a notable gap in the international art exhibition. The decision reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and logistical challenges that have prevented the country from participating in one of the world's most prestigious cultural events.

Resignation of the Venice Biennale Jury

Démission du jury de la Biennale de Venise

The entire jury of the Venice Biennale has resigned. The mass resignation follows internal disputes over the selection process for the next edition's artistic director, with jurors citing a lack of transparency and interference from the Biennale's board.

Turin experiments with a robot guide in one of its historic palaces

Turin expérimente un robot-guide dans l’un de ses palais historiques

The Palazzo Madama in Turin, Italy, has introduced R1, a humanoid robot guide developed by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Genoa, to accompany visitors through the historic palace. Since late March, R1 has been testing its ability to navigate the building's constrained interiors, interact with diverse audiences, and provide explanations about artworks, artists, and the palace's history. The robot uses infrared cameras, lasers, pressure sensors, and a LED matrix to move, avoid obstacles, and communicate, with over 80% of users reporting positive interactions during the six-week trial. Previous tests occurred in 2022 and May 2024.

Pablo Diaz, directeur de Sciences Po Rennes : « L’acte II de l’INSEAC de Guingamp »

Pablo Diaz, director of Sciences Po Rennes, announces that the Institut national supérieur de l'éducation artistique et culturelle (INSEAC) in Guingamp has been transferred from the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers (Cnam) to Sciences Po Rennes as of January 1, 2026. The institute, which opened in 2021 and focuses on training, research, and resources for arts and cultural education, will now operate under public-sector governance with oversight from the French ministries of Culture, Education, and Higher Education. Diaz outlines plans to appoint a dedicated site director in Guingamp and establish a strategic orientation committee chaired by interministerial delegate Emmanuel Ethis, aiming to resolve past management and governance issues.

À Florence, une transformation silencieuse pour préserver son patrimoine

Florence is undertaking a major restoration of Giotto's Campanile, the first comprehensive conservation of the 14th-century bell tower since its construction. The project, budgeted at over €7 million, addresses decades of damage from pollution, acid rain, and natural aging, including detached stone slabs, darkened facades, and microfractures. The four-year scaffolding will be designed to minimize visual impact and gradually reveal restored sections. Separately, the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore is executing a €60 million program to restore the Collegio Eugeniano (which will become its new headquarters) and expand the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo to 11,000 square meters by 2030. The Ponte Vecchio will also undergo summer cleaning and consolidation of its piles, funded equally by the municipality and the Antinori family.

Henryk Ptasiewicz, His Life, His Art

Henryk Ptasiewicz, a British-born artist who became a fixture of the St. Louis art scene, died on October 22, 2025. He moved to St. Louis in 1999, built a practice through commissions and teaching, and in 2014 was invited to paint fiberglass cake sculptures for the city's 250th birthday, featuring figures like Dred Scott and Vincent Price. He was also a founding member of the Missouri Plein Air Painters and a frequent winner on the regional plein air competition circuit.

One of Sheffield’s biggest art exhibitions to take place this weekend

Open Up Sheffield, an annual open studio event celebrating over 25 years of the city's cultural vibrancy, is holding its second leg this weekend on May 9-10. Over 140 artists across 90 venues are opening their homes and studios to the public, showcasing works from ceramics to paintings. The first leg took place over the Bank Holiday weekend, featuring artist Tom Heller, 80, who sells his work to benefit the charity Spreading Health, which trains nurses in Cameroon. The event is organized by a small committee on a not-for-profit basis and sponsored by RivelinCo.

California State Univ hosts artist Tutul’s exhibition

California State University hosted a five-day solo exhibition titled 'Lost Symbiosis' by Bangladeshi artist and graphic design professor Md Harun-ar-Rashid Tutul at its Media Art Gallery from April 27 to May 1. The exhibition featured 24 oil and acrylic paintings on recycled paper mesh and canvas, exploring the fragile relationship between humanity and the natural world. Tutul also delivered a lecture on visual communication to students at California State University, Bakersfield, and a separate showing of the exhibition was organized by the Los Angeles Acting Academy and the local Bangladeshi community at the Church of Scientology in Los Angeles on May 3.

South Lafourche artist's work featured in Kotex documentary

Akira Crosby, an artist from Cut Off, Louisiana, had her painting removed from a Houma art gallery in 2024 because it depicted menstrual blood as part of her feminist exhibit “Pieces of Me.” Months later, Kotex featured the same artwork in a documentary, bringing unexpected national attention to her work.

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.

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.

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.

Where to eat and take a break in Venice during the 2026 Art Biennale?

Dove mangiare e prendersi una pausa a Venezia durante la Biennale Arte 2026?

The article provides a curated guide to dining and refreshment spots in Venice during the 61st edition of the Venice Biennale, which runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026. It lists several recommended venues—including ABC Zattere, Bea Vita, QuasiPronto, Adriatico Mar, Bancogiro, and Osteria Da Pampo—each described with details on location, atmosphere, and specialties, from cicchetti and tramezzini to natural wine and traditional Venetian dishes.

A Milano esiste una community di illustratori che racconta la città disegnandola dal vivo

Urban Sketchers Milano, a local chapter of the international Urban Sketchers community, recently held an event at Casa Galimberti, a notable Liberty-style building in Milan. The group, founded in 2007 by journalist and illustrator Gabriel Campanario in Seattle, brings together illustrators who draw urban scenes directly from life, on location. The Milan chapter, active since March 2008, is currently managed by Valentín Di Salvo, Stefano Ziffarelli, and Daniela Paglia, and organizes events such as a recent gathering at the garden of Via San Martino, which drew over 90 artists.

In Valcamonica il Parco archeologico di Luine ha chiuso e non si sa se e quando riaprirà: la storia

The Luine Archaeological Park in Valcamonica, Italy, closed on April 1, 2026, after the municipality of Darfo Boario Terme, led by Mayor Dario Colossi, failed to renew the management contract held by Zamenhof Art and ArchExperience. The park, which houses rock engravings dating back to the end of the Paleolithic period (about 13,000 years ago), is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a unique part of the Camunian park system. Weeks after the closure, the park remains in limbo with no clear reopening date, while multimedia installations and digital content created by the former managers are being removed. The story has received little media attention beyond local outlets.

A free campsite for students at Design Week. IED sets it up at the Ex Macello in Milan

Un campeggio gratuito per studenti alla Design Week. Lo allestisce IED all’Ex Macello di Milano

IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) and the Fondazione Francesco Morelli have set up a free urban campsite, The Glitch Camp, at the Ex Macello in Milan to host 300 international design students during Milan Design Week. The camp, created in partnership with IKEA, provides accommodation, communal spaces, workshops, and social events, aiming to make the prestigious event more accessible.

Lifework: An Exhibition by KCAT Studio Artists

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council presents "Lifework," an exhibition of artworks by seven artists from the Kilkenny Collective for Arts Talent (KCAT) Studio. The show runs from May 9 to August 26, 2026 at the Municipal Gallery, dlr LexIcon in Dún Laoghaire, featuring artists Thomas Barron, Declan Byrne, Lorna Corrigan, Sinéad Fahey, Fergus Fitzgerald, Andrew Pike, and Jason Turner. Curated by Dominic Thorpe, the exhibition pairs each artist's earliest work with recent pieces to highlight their long-term artistic development. A concurrent showcase of inclusive artwork from the county will be displayed in Gallery Two, accompanied by workshops programmed by Moran Been-noon and Rayne Booth.

Annual {Ink}arcerated art exhibition returns to Arizona Center May 15

The {Ink}arcerated: Creativity Within Confinement art exhibition returns to the Arizona Center on May 15, featuring 365 new paintings, drawings, and sculptures created by incarcerated individuals. Managed by doctoral students Alexis Klemm and Madeline Boersma from ASU's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, the program involves distributing art supplies to 17 correctional facilities across Arizona, including a youth facility for the first time, and curating the completed works into a polished exhibition with museum lighting and display walls.

This Chelsea gallery will feature art from students as young as 6

Gallery 100 in Chelsea, Michigan, will host The Creative Corner Collection, an exhibition of children's artwork from the Manitou Beach Creative Corner's camps and workshops, running from April 27 through May 8. The show features work by students ages 6 to 15, with an opening reception on May 3 featuring violinists from the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Gallery 100 takes no commission on sales, so all proceeds go directly to the young artists.

Merritt Wins Best Of Show At Spring Juried Art Show

Wesley Dallas Merritt won Best of Show at the Lakeland Art Association's 22nd annual Spring Juried Art Show, held at the Lakeland Art Gallery in Warsaw, Indiana. The show featured 53 works by 19 artists from Fort Wayne, North Manchester, and surrounding counties, including paintings, photographs, metal sculptures, and ceramic works. Judge Andrew Tomasik, a Warsaw Community High School visual arts teacher, also awarded first place to Brenda Stichter, second place to Merritt, and third place to Sherri Johnson, along with six honorable mentions.

Hannah Powell: Pushing the University Art Gallery forward

Hannah Powell, a University of Pittsburgh alumna, has been appointed as the first official coordinator of the University Art Gallery (UAG) at Pitt. After earning a degree in anthropology and a minor in museum studies from Pitt in 2016, she pursued a master's in museum studies from the University of Glasgow, then worked at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and later at Pittsburgh institutions like the Heinz History Center and Carnegie Science Center. Since starting her role at the UAG in 2024, Powell coordinates exhibitions, plans educational programming, and improves accessibility to a collection of over 3,000 pieces, working alongside one other full-time employee.

LCCC hosts 2026 student art show at Cheyenne campus gallery

Laramie County Community College (LCCC) is hosting its 2026 Student Art Show at the Esther and John Clay Fine Art Gallery on the Cheyenne campus, running through May 10. A public reception will be held on April 28 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Art instructor and gallery coordinator Daniel Maw expects over 100 submissions from currently enrolled students, featuring drawings, paintings, ceramics, and other media.

Furlong Gallery showcases student artists

Furlong Gallery, a venue associated with the University of Wisconsin–Stout, is currently hosting an exhibition that highlights the work of student artists. The show features a range of visual art created by emerging student talents, providing them with a platform to display their creations to the public and campus community.

Unsung Artists: Finding their Voices

A student-led exhibition titled 'Unsung Artists' is being organized in New Paltz, New York, to provide a platform for young and emerging local artists who struggle to find opportunities to showcase their work. The show, a collaboration between SUNY New Paltz student Izzy Kerr and the Unframed Artists Gallery, aims to be inclusive of various artistic mediums and offers a professional, off-campus venue for artists who might not otherwise have a thesis show or gallery access.

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.

Lifework: An Exhibition by KCAT Studio Artists

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is presenting 'Lifework,' an exhibition featuring seven artists from the Kilkenny Collective for Arts Talent (KCAT) Studio. The show, opening at the Municipal Gallery, dlr LexIcon in May 2026, pairs each artist's earliest works with recent pieces to trace their artistic development. The artists included are Thomas Barron, Declan Byrne, Lorna Corrigan, Sinéad Fahey, Fergus Fitzgerald, Andrew Pike, and Jason Turner.